Cardamom 8mm

Description

 Cardamom

Cardamom is a spice that originated in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Today, it is available in most tropical places in Asia, including India, China, Bhutan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Korea, and Japan. It is regarded as the queen of spices and is one of the most expensive spices, ranking third, the first and second being saffron and vanilla, respectively.

It is believed that the cultivation of cardamom began in the tropical and humid climate in India. In botanical terms, it belongs to the family of Zingiberaceae and its scientific name is Elettaria cardamomum. There are two main types or subspecies of cardamom. Their scientific names are Elettaria, a green or true cardamom, and Amomum, which stands for black, white, or red cardamom.

Health Benefits of Cardamom

Cardamom is an ideal spice with many health benefits. The most popular health benefits are listed below.

Prevents Colorectal Cancer

Cancer, particularly colorectal cancer, is one of the leading causes of death around the world. The rising cost of conventional cancer therapy and the subsequent side effects have encouraged researchers to look for alternatives that are sustainable.

Protects Heart Health

Studies conducted at the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceuticals at the College of Pharmacy of King Saud University, Saudi Arabia showed that cardamom administration for cardiovascular conditions resulted in a lower heartbeat or controlled rhythm, and control of hypertension. The micronutrients found in it can counteract the surge of lipids in the body.

Prevents Gastrointestinal Diseases

Cardamom has been traditionally used in Ayurveda, Chinese medicine and the Unani system as a remedy for gastrointestinal disorders. The methanolic extract from cardamom is the component that helps in controlling gastrointestinal disorders such as acidity, flatulence, and stomach cramps.

Dental Care

Cardamom has been used in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine for dealing with dental problems for many centuries. After the invention of antibiotics, it was found that these antibiotics produced mixed results, as well as side effects. Some side effects included the inhibition of friendly probiotic bacteria thriving in the intestines. However, the use of spices, on the other hand, is ideal because they inhibit only infectious microbes, not the probiotic bacteria. A study conducted by Isao Kubo, Masaki Himejima, and Hisae Muroi at the Division of Entomology and Parasitology at the University of California verified the presence of antimicrobial properties in cardamom.

Improves Blood Circulation

In traditional therapies like aromatherapy, cardamom has been used to cure symptoms of asthma and bronchitis by improving blood circulation to the lungs. The essential oil extracted from cardamom has been tested in groups of individuals with stress and it was found that cardamom is effective in promoting blood circulation in the body.