Native to India and other parts of Central Asia, cardamom has many health benefits, but also contraindications and side effects. Let’s look at these below:
Cardamom is recognized by its small seed pods that can be green or dark brown to black in color, triangular in cross section and spindle-shaped, with a thin papery outer shell and small dark seeds.
The individual plants of cardamom They can grow up to 15 feet (5 m) tall, and their characteristic flowers are white with purple-red markings. The leaves are long, pinnate, and lance-shaped, while the seeds are grown in pods along the stem. Up to 20 seeds, the part that contains the highest concentration of the nutritional value of the herb, can grow from each capsule.
Classification Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is one of 1,300 species belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, known for its flowering perennials with tuberous roots and rhizomes. Other known members of this family, closely related to cardamom, are ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa).
The genus Elettaria consists of approximately six or seven species distributed in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Indonesia. However, E. cardamomum is the only one with economic value.
Varieties and Cultivars of Cardamom In nature, Malabar cardamom plants, native to the Kerala region of India, feature clusters of flowers that grow horizontally along the ground. This is its main difference from the Mysore cardamom variety, whose flower clusters grow vertically.
With regard to cardamon cultivars, the hybrid union of Malabar and Mysore is known as ‘Vazhuka’, whose traits fall predictably between the extremes. On a commercial level, modified cultivars such as ‘Njallani’ offer the highest yield per crop cycle.
Cardamom was listed in ancient Egyptian documents as a cure for indulgence as early as 1500 B.C. Ancient Greece and Rome incorporated it into perfumes and ointments for the duration of each civilization, and the Vikings who later reached Constantinople brought it back to Scandinavia as a seasoning.
Despite such an early expansion, cardamom was not introduced to North America until the 19th century, but by the 1920s, cultivation in Guatemala surpassed all world precedents.
Economic data Although not as commercially prominent as other plants, cardamom still forms a significant part of the cardamom industry. spiceswhich is most often exported for culinary use.
Guatemala has led production for the last 80 years, generating a net harvest of almost 24,000 tons of nutmegmace and cardamom alone in 2011 and exceeding the production amounts of coffee, its best known resource.
India also continues to be a strong producer, having produced approximately 16,500 tons in the same year. Bulk green cardamom generates the most profit, selling from India at an average of $9.00 USD per kilogram.
popular beliefs In Saudi Arabia, cardamom was believed to be a aphrodisiac. It was also believed that by mixing cardamom with coffee, the cardamom would remove the bad effects of coffee consumption.
Cardamom has a symbolic meaning in Hindu worship. In Cambodia, to the east of Angkor Wat, is the temple of Prasat Krawan, also known as the Shrine of Cardamom. It is dedicated to Vishnu, one of the central deities of Hinduism.
Other uses of cardamom Perfume Industry Cardamom essential oil is commonly used in fragrances, as its aroma provides a rich nuance to many other popular ingredients, such as myrrh or sandalwood.
Breath refresher. Cardamom flavoring is used as an additive to mints, chewing gum, and other products intended to neutralize cardamom. bad breath.
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Health benefits of cardamom
Used medicinally for centuries, cardamom has many medicinal benefits, including some of the following:
Improves oral health. Using cardamom can improve many aspects of oral health, including fighting gum disease and tooth decay, as well as eliminating bad breath.
Relieves indigestion. Cardamom is incredibly helpful in relieving heartburn or upset stomach.
Additionally, the health benefits of cardamom include:
Lowers blood pressure. Cardamom encourages antihypertensive activity in the body, which can help lower blood pressure.
Reduces inflammation Its anti-inflammatory properties can relieve muscle and joint pain in the body.
treat depression Although there is no scientific evidence to support this role, cardamom has been used to treat depression.
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How does it work
Cardamom has numerous chemical compounds that give it its exceptional medicinal properties. Elattria cardamom seeds are rich in volatile oil, which mainly includes phenolic and flavonoid components. Some of these components include starch, protein, waxes, and sterols. These compounds, along with its high methanol content, give cardamom its gastroprotective properties, which alleviate digestive problems.
Cineole, one of the main components found in cardamom oil, is a powerful antibacterial and antiseptic used in the treatment and prevention of bad breath and gum disease. Fights oral pathogenic bacteria, which can lead to halitosis and oral infections.
The antiseptic properties they are also present in calendula and stevia, while oregano and mint aid in digestion.
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Contraindications and side effects of cardamom
Cardamom is probably safe for most people when taken by mouth. However, very little research has been done regarding its possible side effects. For those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other stomach sensitivities, large amounts of cardamom can trigger an upset stomach.
People with gallstones should not take cardamom because it can trigger gallstone colic. Similarly, women who are pregnant or nursing should consult a doctor before taking medicinal cardamom, as little is known about its possible effects.
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