Cardamom: Health Benefits, Uses & Magical Properties

About Cardamom

One of the oldest spices in the world and member of the ginger family, cardamom is a common spice used to flavour coffee, curies, rice, cakes, breads, etc. It was extensively used in Egypt to make perfumes. Cardamom pods contain up to 20 aromatic, dark red-brown seeds.

Latin Name

Elettaria cardamomum (Zingiberaceae)

Taste/Fragrance

Aromatic and pungent taste, combines well with other herbs.

Parts Used

Seed.To use, split the pods open and crush the seeds to release their flavour (to use in infusions or have their volatile oil extracted)

Main Constituents

Volatile oil (3-6%, containing terpene and terpineol), cineol, starch, gum, yellow colouring.

Volatile oil
Alkaloids
Flavonoids
Saponins
Sterols

Actions / Properties

Digestive tonic
Protects liver
Mild stimulant
Antispasmodic (can lower blood pressure)

Culinary uses

In mixtures such as garam masala
In curries
In cakes and sweetmeats

Medicinal uses

Digestion

Excellent remedy for many digestive problems, especially indigestion, flatulence and irritable bowel syndrome
Used in combination with other bitter herbal remedies to improve their taste
Used to prevent the uncomfortable effects of laxatives
Suitable for stomach troubles such as gastritis and vomiting

Mind

Lifts depression
Calms anxiety
Promotes mental alertness and clarity
Strengthens memory

Indian uses

Used in India for many conditions including:

Asthma
Bronchitis
Kidney stones
Anorexia

Chinese remedy

Used for urinary incontinence

Magical uses

Baked into apple pies for a wonderful amatory pastry
Added to love sachets and incenses
Power: lust, love

Other

Effective treatment for bad breath
Can be chewed for sinusitis
used as an aphrodisiac (the herb contains androgenic compounds)
Green seed pods indicate the seeds are good quality
Added to drinks made from milk can diminish their tendency to promote catarrh
When added to tea and coffee balances the over-stimulating effect of caffeine