Cardamom in service of the health

Cardamom is a spice made from the seed pods of various plants in the ginger family, nowadays most present in Indian cuisine where it is most commonly used as a flavouring spice in tea with milk and cocoa drink or mixed with curry. Spice as such spread all over the world very quickly, Swedes put it in apple pudding, and the Norwegians in hamburgers and sausages!

Given that is beneficial for your overall health, it would be a shame not to use it in various recipes, regardless of being sweet or savoury. 

Ayurvedic medicine uses it to treat asthma. It has healing properties for respiratory disorders such as allergies.

It is beneficial in cases of ulcers, indigestion and depression. This pepper-flavoured spice is the subject of many studies, which shows that cardamom is a valuable addition to the daily diet.

It is considered a diuretic, which makes it helpful for problems with the urethra and for cleansing the kidneys of calcium and uric acid. It also helps in losing weight, lowering blood pressure and removing toxins from the body.

Like its relatives, turmeric and ginger, it has anti-inflammatory properties and relieves pain and swelling, especially in the mouth and throat.

Cardamom contains vitamin C, vitamin B6, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and of the minerals we can specifically mention calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper and manganese. The ancient Egyptians chewed cardamom seeds, and by doing so cleaning their teeth. It is full of essential oils with antioxidant properties.

It is added to savoury and sweet dishes in the kitchen. In the Middle East, it is used to prepare cakes and desserts and to dilute the taste of strong coffee, and it is also added to tea because it stimulates digestion. It also goes well with fruit (for instance with boiled pears or baked apples), and if you add the powder to a fruit salad, you will be delighted with the rich taste. You can season basmati rice, bulgur or millet with it, and be sure to drink it sometimes in the form of tea.

Ayurvedic cardamom tea is made from 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom powder, 3 peppercorns, 2 teaspoons and one small stick of cinnamon. Boil one cup of tea. When the water boils, add the spices and cook for 5-10 minutes until the water is half evaporated. Remove the tea from the heat and let it cool a bit, then you can sweeten it with honey or stevia.

Besides being great flavour enhancers, specific spices may significantly improve your well-being, it might be worthy to pay attention to these as well:

• CAYENNE PEPPER
• GINGER
• BLACK SALT
• CEYLON CINNAMON

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