Spices are indispensable to Indian cooking! One spice that tops the charts in terms of fragrance and aroma is the Cardamom. Known for its intense flavour, Cardamom is widely used in many Indian savoury and sweet dishes. This amazing spice is also packed with health benefits to promote healthy wellbeing. From treating bad breath to warding off many dangerous diseases like Cancers, meet Cardamom is your new health expert! In this article, we shall explore the best cardamom benefits for health, hair and skin in detail!
What Is Cardamom?
Cardamom is a spice that is grown on small plants belonging to the ginger family. It is shaped like a small spindle with a triangular cross-section. The pod contains a number of tiny black seeds, which have a dense flavour and aroma. Cardamom is widely used in cooking a number of dishes and is also a key ingredient in the world-famous Masala Chai!
What Are The Different Types Of Cardamom?
There are two main varieties of Cardamom: Green and Black.
- Green Cardamom is the commonly found species of this spice. It is relatively milder and highly popular in Asian cuisines. This variety is used in preparing both savoury and sweet dishes.
- Black cardamom is a darker pod that is large in size and has a more intense flavour. It lends a smoky aroma to the dishes and hence is restricted to savoury dishes.
Is Cardamom Good For Health?
The benefits of Cardamom to our body have long been recognised by the ancient Indians. It is widely used in Ayurveda medicines to improve digestion, appetite and also treat common infections. Cardamom is also packed with antioxidants to fight free radicals and prevent cell damage. Besides, Cardamom does plenty of good to your oral health and is one of the key ingredients in many mouth fresheners.
Cardamom Nutrition Facts:
Here is the nutritional profile of Cardamom per 100gms of serving:
- Total Calories: 311
- Total Fat: 7 gm
- Sodium: 18 mg
- Potassium: 1119 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 68 gm
- Dietary Fiber: 28 gm
- Calcium: 38 %
- Iron: 77 %
- Magnesium: 57 %
- Vitamin C: 35 %
Cardamom Benefits For Skin, Hair & Health:
Here we enlisted 22 amazing cardamom uses for health, hair and skin. Let’s have a look into them.
1. Lends A Delectable Aroma:
The first and the most interesting benefit we have discovered about cardamom is that it imparts lovely fragrance. It has been used in fancy products and cosmetics several times and is a favourite among the ladies. Not just that, you will also find cardamom is several kinds of soaps, liquids, body washes and powders. Even in some countries located in the northern section of Asia’s have their essential oils made with the help of cardamom. Since it is full of distinct, wonderful and attractive smell, anybody would acknowledge cardamom.
2. Lightens Complexion:
One of the lesser-known benefits of cardamom is its role in giving a flawless complexion. It works by removing blemishes and dark spots and makes your skin look young and radiant. Being rich in phytochemicals, Cardamom can also fight the signs of ageing. The best thing you can do is buy products that contain cardamom or look up simple home remedies that use cardamom for the skin.
3. Aids In Proper Blood Circulation:
Cardamom is known to aid in better blood circulation to the body, particularly the lungs. This is why is it extremely beneficial in treating many respiratory problems including cold, cough and asthma. Chewing a pod of Elaichi every day can improve your lung functionality and keep many infections at bay! This is one of the best green cardamom benefits to the body.
4. Cardamom Oil For Skin and Lips:
If you thought that cardamom will only take care of your skin, you might want to think twice. Cardamom will not only give you good skin but also soft, pretty and attractive lips. The essential oil of cardamom applied to several kinds of cosmetics will make your lips very smooth. All you need to do is buy lip balms that contain cardamom. And this should not be difficult to find since so many balms and cosmetics are full of cardamom.
5. Improves Hair Health:
Black Cardamoms are loaded with antioxidants to prevent cellular damage. These chemicals can protect your scalp from free radicals and also strengthen your strands. Just mix black cardamom powder in water and use it as a final rinse after your hair wash. Along with a nourished scalp, you will also be free from pesky dandruff problems.
See More: Black Cardamom Benefits
6. Culinary Benefits:
Cardamom has also been used while cooking. It is definitely one of the most important ingredients in the world today and since it belongs to the ginger family, it is full of taste and fragrance. You can use cardamom while making desserts, tea, coffee and much more tasty and edible spicy dishes. They are a favourite in a country like India and has been widely appreciated as well.
7. Lowers Depression:
Those who suffer from depression and anxiety are probably very stressed or tensed over a particular situation in life which has harmed them to great extents. According to Ayurveda, the most effective and simplest way to fight such situations and cases is cardamom tea. It is a natural ingredient that will detoxify your body, rejuvenate your cells and altogether allow you to fight depressive episodes in your life.
8. Cures Bad Breath:
Now you can also get rid of bad breath with the help of cardamom. It can definitely be used as a mouth wash that will take care of your oral health and promote healthy teeth. Your mouth shall never stink because of what this amazing ingredient shall do. You can also fight mouth infections and ulcers with the help of cardamom. So if you want to smell better, we would suggest you make use of cardamom.
9. Masks Bad Odours:
Cardamom also acts as a great masking agent. Its strong scent wards off unwanted an unhealthy odours and smells. Cardamom is often used in many air fresheners to detox the air around. Even in your kitchen, the bad odours of seafood, garlic and onion can be easily masked with a freshener made with Cardamom. This is one of the best uses of Green cardamom!
10. Treats Cold And Flu:
A great way to fight against cold and flu is with the help of cardamom. It has great healing properties that will help you eradicate this sickness only within a couple of days. Not only that, this will keep your system strong and active and also combat common diseases. In order to find relief from frequent infections, try popping in a Cardamom every day.
11. Cancer Treatment:
Cardamom has a great role as an anti-cancer spice. Its extract contains phytochemicals like indole-3-carbinol, and diindolylmethane enhances immunity and activates natural killer cells. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory tool which helps to fight against hormone-related cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer and ovarian cancer. It also helps to prevent cancer by helping in quitting smoking because of its strong taste and smell.
12. Reduces Hypertension:
Cardamom is known to help patients suffering from stage 1 hypertension. Cardamom is known to have antioxidant properties which have the ability to scavenge radicals. Its benefits extend to relieving hypertension by reducing blood pressure levels, systolic and diastolic, and increasing fibrinolytic (blood clotting inhibiting) activities. It lowers the heart pressure, to a controlled rhythm and relieves hypertension. Thus, people who suffer from stage 1 hypertension are suggested to take about three grams of this spice to attain the best of Green Cardamom health benefits.
See More: Cardamom Tea Benefits
13. Boost Sexual Desire:
To spice up your sex life, this spice can come in handy too. It has highly effective properties that help in enhancing mood and providing sexual excitement. It can be chewed directly or taken in as a drink in coffee. This combination stimulates the genitals, lusty imaginations and also causes an erection. It helps by creating a feeling of wellness and increases your libido. It creates a desire for sex in both genders. In India, a couple is given milk of cardamom and Kesar on their first night as it replenishes the energy from the tiring wedding rituals, and boosts the sex drive. This concoction can be used intermittently for the couples who have lost the spark in their sex life. This little green spice acts as an energy booster and stress reliever, which is highly recommended for healthy sex life.
14. Promotes Heart Health:
Cardamom is wonderful in protecting the health of your heart by reducing the cholesterol levels. It has certain micronutrients that counteract the increase of lipids in the body. The hepatic and cardiac antioxidants present in cardamom significantly help in controlling cholesterol and preventing any coronary heart diseases like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.
It also helps in the prevention of blood clots and maintains the fluidity of blood. Make a concoction of two teaspoon cardamom powder in a decoction made of cumin seeds. It should be taken three times daily to reduce bad cholesterol levels. It acts as a natural preventive measure for heart-related problems.
15. Cures Asthma:
As mentioned above, cardamom helps in proper blood flow, thus making breathing easier. It fights inflammation and soothes mucous membranes. Cardamom is warm in nature and it helps in melting the phlegm in the chest and relieves chest congestion. Thus for people suffering from asthma or bronchitis, a regular intake of cardamom in small proportions is highly beneficial. It also fights the symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.
16. Antibacterial Properties:
The healing powers of cardamom seeds are known from time immemorial. Cardamom seeds have antibacterial properties that will keep the skin away from any forms of infections and bacterial problems. Along with killing bacteria, Cardamom can also prevent future attacks by strengthening the immune system.
17. Improves Appetite:
If you are suffering from appetite loss due to pregnancy or other health issues, Cardamom can help you regain it naturally. Powder some cardamom seeds and add it to the curries or else chew on some of the cardamom seeds each day if you are experiencing a loss in the appetite. It aids in better digestion of food along with improving your metabolism. Faster digestion paves the way to better intake!
18. Improves Gastrointestinal Health:
If you are suffering from chronic gastric related problems, try incorporating Cardamom seeds after every meal. This helps in getting rid of problems like indigestion, flatulence and belching, loss of appetite and constipation. Chewing on these seeds helps in stimulating the digestive process as well. This spice can also be taken in the form of a cup of warm tea to activate your digestive juices and improve their production.
19. Aids In Weight Loss:
Cardamom medicinal uses for those who suffer from poor metabolic rate are well known to many. This wonderful spice can increase the digestion rate. This will help in maintaining the right weight as well. Make sure cardamom seeds are taken on a routine basis in some of the other forms. Cardamom tea benefits weight loss aspirants by flushing out the toxins and cleansing the internal system. This is one of the best benefits of eating Cardamom daily!
Read: Does Cardamom Have Side Effects
20. Detoxifies The Body:
The high levels of minerals, antioxidants and vitamins in cardamom seeds make it the ideal option for detoxifying the body from the accumulated toxins. It purifies the blood as well. Excess calcium, urea and toxins from the kidney can also be removed with cardamom seeds intake. Overall it cleanses the system as well as maintains good health for the kidney. For this benefit, you will need to eat cardamom seeds each day.
21. Controls Diabetes:
Recent studies have shown that cardamom has effects in controlling Type-2 Diabetes. Being good sources of Manganese and other nutrients, Cardamom is believed to bring blood sugar levels down and lower the risk of Diabetes. Having a cup of cardamom-infused tea or eating one or two pods every day may help with this problem.
22. Cardamom During Pregnancy:
Cardamom is relatively safe to be had during pregnancy when taken in small doses. This spice can treat symptoms of morning sickness like nausea, vomiting and digestion problems. It can also prevent constipation and bad odour caused by internal changes. Cardamom can also invigorate your senses with its refreshing taste and smell.
We hope these Cardamom benefits and uses have inspired you to start loving this spice! Cardamom is highly preferred in India as a post-meal digestive pill. Chewing on a pod after meals can lighten your stomach and reduce heaviness. Instead of opting for Cardamom flavoured agents, it is highly recommended to go for natural Cardamom seeds to enjoy the best of its benefits. What are you waiting for? Time to pop in a Cardamom!
