NATURE'S BEAUTY

Cardamom ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF SPICES

By Tanya Tyler, Editor Health&Wellness

If you’re a fan of chai (spiced tea), you’re probably already familiar with cardamom. This “queen of spices” is a common ingredient in Indian cooking. Its distinctive flavor complements both sweet and savory dishes. It is also used in baking traditional breads and sweets in Sweden, Norway and Finland. These countries are some of the top worldwide cardamom consumers. The first written instance of the word cardamom was seen in the list of flavorings on spice tablets found among palace archives in the House of the Sphinxes in Mycenae.

Cardamom is made from the small seed pods of several plants that are in the ginger family and are native to the subcontinent of India and Indonesia and subtropical Asia. Today it is also cultivated in Malaysia, Tanzania and Guatemala, which has become the biggest producer and exporter of cardamom in the world. Cardamom is the third-most expensive spice per weight in the world, following vanilla and saffron.

The two main types of cardamom are true or green and black (Nepal) cardamom. Green cardamom is called white cardamom when it is bleached. Black cardamom is native to the eastern Himalayas. Both types are used to flavor both food and drink. Both often serve as garnishes for rice and other dishes, and individual seeds are sometimes used like chewing gum because they can freshen breath. Green cardamom can also be smoked. In the Middle East, cardamom seeds are typically ground with coffee beans to create a popular drink. Cardamom is also found in the spice mixture garam masala, which features cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Cardamom is called a “super” spice because it contains high levels of beneficial minerals and vitamins such as calcium, magnesium, iron, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C. The cardamom seeds and oil from the seeds are used to make medicine. Cardamom has been used for digestive concerns, including heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and diarrhea. It also helps with common cold, bronchitis, urinary infections and high blood pressure. Cardamom contains cancer-fighting phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that are said to treat intestinal spasms, kill some bacteria and reduce swelling. Cardamom extract has proven effective in disrupting bacteria that can lead to gum disease. However, people who suffer from gallstones should not take cardamom in amounts greater than those typically found in food, according to WebMd. The cardamom seed can trigger gallstone colic. (Of course, as always, you should consult your primary care provider before using cardamom medicinally. Medical News Today says large and controlled human studies are necessary before healthcare professionals can recommend cardamom to treat medical problems.)

One study showed cardamom essential oil was effective in killing several different types of bacteria and fungi. Research is being conducted to see if the oil could be a component in new antimicrobial drugs. Cardamom essential oil can be diffused to improve breathing or to ease congestion. Inhaling it promotes relaxation. So next time you feel a little stressed out, give yourself a royal treatment with the queen of spices.

Sources and Resources • Health Prep (www.healthprep.com) • The Spruce Eats (www.thespruceeats.com) • WebMd (www.webmd.com)

Cardamom is the third-most expensive spice per weight in the world.