28.09.2017

Cardamom is another spice worthy of your attention. On Pripravkino.ru you will get acquainted with its beneficial properties and contraindications for use. Read on to learn more about what cardamom is and why it is one of the most expensive seasonings in the world.

Cardamom is a spice with an intense, slightly sweet taste and a strong resinous aroma. It consists of seed pods (pods) containing several small black seeds. Use whole or ground.

The pods vary in color and size depending on the species.

Cardamom is common in Indian cooking, where it is added to savory dishes, desserts and even drinks. Popular in Middle Eastern cooking, especially as an additive to coffee and tea. It is one of the main spices in many Scandinavian baked goods. Cardamom is often combined with other spices such as cinnamon and cloves and used in savory mixtures such as garam masala.

Cardamom is the third most expensive spice in the world, after saffron and vanilla.

What cardamom looks like - photo

general description

Cardamom is a plant from the Ginger family, growing from 1.5 to 3 m in height. This aromatic spice is native to the evergreen forests of the southern Indian state of Kerala and is grown in several tropical countries.

The leaves are spear-shaped and can grow up to 70 cm in length. The stems are stiff and straight, forming an inverted skirt around the plant. The flowers are tiny but beautiful: white, yellow or red. Different types Cardamom plants can produce black, white or red fruits (pods).

The pods are tripartite, with a thin but tough outer covering. Inside is the source of the aroma - tiny, dark brown seeds arranged in vertical rows. Each grain is inside a thin transparent membrane.

Types of cardamom

The main type is green cardamom (Elettaria, also known as real cardamom). Used in sweet and savory dishes. It has a thin, almost transparent, green pod filled with small blackish seeds.

This type is the most popular for both culinary and medicinal use.

Less common is black cardamom (Amomum, also known as brown, kravan, Bengal or Siamese). It has a large, thick, rough, black-brown pod filled with black seeds. Has a slightly smoky smell.

Most often, ground or green cardamom is found on store shelves. Another type is considered less healthy and not as fragrant.

How to get seasoning

When the cardamom fruit is fully ripe, it opens and the seeds fall to the ground or are blown away by the wind. Therefore, the pods are harvested while they are in a slightly immature state, and the seeds inside them are just beginning to darken. Next, the pods are dried in the sun.

Sold in whole, broken or crushed pods, seeds only and in ground (powdered) form.

What is the taste and smell?

Cardamom is considered a sweet spice, but its smell is not quite as pleasant as, for example, cinnamon or cloves.

It has a strong floral aroma reminiscent of lemon with mint and notes of eucalyptus. The taste is warm, sweet.

The floral, minty notes of cardamom quickly become unpleasantly medicinal if you add too much of it to a dish.

How to choose and where to buy

Both seeds and ground cardamom are sold in the spice section of supermarkets, while whole pods are available in specialty stores.

When purchasing cardamom, choose green cardamom as it has a complex flavor that suits both sweet and savory dishes.

It is better to choose whole cardamom pods, or rather cardamom pods, rather than ground spices. The greener they are, the better the aroma.

Cardamom is an expensive spice, but most of the cost comes from long-distance transportation and intermediary services. If you do not want to overpay, buy it in the international online store IHerb.

How and how much to store

It is best to store cardamom in pod form because once the seeds are opened or crushed, they quickly lose their scent and aroma.

Cardamom pods last up to a year when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Chemical composition

Cardamom has healing properties due to its composition. This exotic spice contains many chemicals that can prevent disease and promote health.

Nutritional value of cardamom per 100 g.

Name	Quantity	Percent of daily norm, %
Energy value	311 Kcal	15,5
Carbohydrates	68.47 g	52,5
Protein	10,76	19
Dietary fiber	28 g	70
Niacin	1.102 mg	7
Pyridoxine	0.230 mg	18
Riboflavin	0.182 mg	14
Thiamine	0.198 mg	16,5
Vitamin C	21 mg	35
Sodium	18 mg	1
Potassium	1119 mg	24
Calcium	383 mg	38
Copper	0.383 mg	42,5
Iron	13.97 mg	175
Magnesium	229 mg	57
Manganese	28 mg	1217
Phosphorus	178 mg	25
Zinc	7.47 mg	68

Physiological role

The therapeutic properties of cardamom are used in many traditional medicines, as it has the following effects on the body:

• antiseptic;
• antispasmodic;
• carminative;
• digestive;
• diuretics;
• expectorants;
• stimulating;
• tonic.

Why is it useful?

The beneficial properties of cardamom help improve health and prevent many diseases:

1. Treats coughs and colds thanks to its antioxidant properties. The pods are steeped in water along with honey and this cardamom tea is drunk as an effective natural remedy for flu.
2. Helps digestion. The strong aroma activates the sense of taste and improves appetite.
3. Prevents bad smell from the mouth: Cardamom's floral and sweet aroma makes it a natural breath freshener.
4. Regulates blood sugar levels thanks to its high manganese content.
5. Promotes weight loss: Cardamom increases energy metabolism and helps the body burn more fat.
6. Improves Blood Circulation: It increases blood circulation in your body, especially in the lungs and is therefore often used as a treatment for respiratory problems.
7. Treats sleep problems: inhaling a sweet and soothing aroma essential oil cardamom can help with insomnia.

Contraindications (harm)

Excessive use of the seasoning can be harmful to health and have a laxative effect. Don't get carried away with cardamom if you have stones gallbladder. It can cause gallstone colic.

Cardamom is contraindicated for women during pregnancy and lactation.

Avoid it if you have gastritis and stomach ulcers, as well as allergic reactions.

Use in cooking

Cardamom is added to meats, fruits, legumes and grains, as well as in cookies, baked goods and other baked goods, and is even used as a flavoring in coffee, tea and alcohol.

It is indispensable in the preparation of sausages, fish, sauces, confectionery, canning and winemaking.

Be careful not to add too much cardamom or it will give off an unpleasant medicinal taste.

Whole cardamom pods are used like bay leaves to season rice and stews. If you crush the pods before tossing them into your food, more flavor will be extracted.

Cardamom seeds quickly lose their flavor, so it is best to buy it in pods and grind it yourself. You will also save money because the pods are cheaper. To grind this spice, simply remove the seeds from the pods, throw them into a coffee grinder or pound them in a mortar.

How to grind cardamom

Cardamom seeds quickly lose their flavor, so it is best to buy it in pods and grind it at home. You will also save money because the pods are cheaper. To grind this spice, simply crush the pod with the flat side of a knife, remove the cardamom seeds, throw them in a coffee grinder or pound them in a mortar.

If you need to grind cardamom pods:

1. Preheat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring constantly. This will enhance the aroma.
2. Place the cardamom pods in a mortar (or just place them on a cutting board) and crush them with a pestle to break them open.
3. Use your fingers to crush the cracked pods, remove any large husks, and discard. There is no need to remove all the cardamom husks, down to the last fragment.
4. Cardamom seeds are quite hard, so it is better to grind them in a coffee grinder or a special spice grinder for 30 seconds until it becomes a fine powder.

One cardamom pod equals 1/6 tsp. seeds This means you need to buy six pods to make a teaspoon of cardamom.

Where to add

Here are some ways to use cardamom:

1. Substitute cardamom for vanilla when making ice cream and prepare as usual.
2. Remove the tiny seeds from the cardamom pod. Place them in a mortar along with a teaspoon of sugar. Grind with a pestle until they become a powdery mixture. Use cardamom sugar for flavored drinks and baked goods.
3. Use a spoonful of cardamom sugar to add to the whipped cream. Whisk as usual and use for hot cocoa or cupcakes.
4. It works wonders in savory dishes. For example, when you make tomato sauce, add crushed cardamom seeds and a cinnamon stick to the mixture.

Cardamom goes well with cumin, chili powder, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, paprika and ground black pepper.

This warm, aromatic drink is especially popular in the Middle East, where cardamom seeds are often ground into coffee beans.

Start with one crushed cardamom per cup of coffee and then adjust the amount to suit your taste. You can add this spice to the coffee grounds in a coffee machine, French press, or coffee pot, depending on the method you use to make coffee.

How to make spicy cardamom tea - recipe

You can simply brew black, green or ginger tea add cardamom seeds to it. The amount of spice will depend on your preference.

It is much more interesting to prepare spicy tea with cardamom. To brew it, you need to open the pods and grind the seeds to create a coarse powder. This will help release oils and powerful beneficial components.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon cardamom seeds (crushed);
• 3 cloves (whole);
• 4 glasses of water;
• 3 black peppercorns;
• 1 tbsp. l. honey (optional).

How to cook:

1. Boil water in a stainless steel pan.
2. Add all the ingredients - cardamom seeds, cloves, pepper and cinnamon stick to boiling water.
3. Now let the liquid simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and let sit for a few minutes.
5. Strain the tea and pour it into glasses. You can add natural honey or do without sweeteners if you are watching your figure.

Cardamom tea recipe – video

What to substitute in the recipe

How can you replace cardamom if you can’t buy it because of the high price? While it has its own completely unique flavor, there are still other spices you can use as a substitute.

Mix equal parts cinnamon and nutmeg and use in place of the same amount of cardamom called for in your recipe.

Try 1 part each cinnamon and ginger or cinnamon and ground cloves.

So, you have learned what cardamom is, how to use it and why it has been famous for centuries for its culinary and medicinal properties.

Grain of paradise is what the ancients called cardamom. And today this miracle spice delights residents of all corners of the planet. A high-quality product, not ground, but whole - in seed pods, is not cheap. But spice lovers should definitely get to know this grain. The beneficial properties and contraindications of cardamom are the subject of study by culinary specialists, doctors and aromatherapists, because it can awaken not only appetite and protective forces body, but also sensuality.

Guest from the Gardens of Babylon

It was the semi-mythical Babylonian Hanging Gardens, according to ancient legend, that introduced cardamom to the world. If we stick to a more realistic version, then this tropical plant of the ginger family became widespread in Ancient India. This country is still the leading exporter of the wonderful spice along with Guatemala.

Back in the Middle Ages, cardamom was used as a medicinal drug. The spice has always been in the elite category - expensive and rare. It began to be purposefully grown and cultivated only in the 19th century.

Representatives of the East were the first to taste the “grain of paradise”; Europeans were able to appreciate its benefits relatively recently. But this plant has already gained fame as a magical sweet-spicy-spicy and deliciously aromatic spice.

The plant Elettaria cardamomum begins to bear fruit in the 3rd year of life. The harvest can take more than 10 years. Up to 100 kg of fruits, which are small boxes, are harvested from a hectare of plantation.

To get the right spice, the fruits are picked unripe and dried under straight sun rays. Then the raw materials are moistened and dried again.

Cardamom and our health

Elettaria cardamomum will help if you have digestive problems. Its medicinal properties are based on the fact that the spice improves metabolic processes and removes waste and toxins from the body. The spice also stimulates the production of gastric juice.

They use “grain of paradise” as part of folk remedies to normalize the processes of the gastrointestinal tract. For example: two parts cardamom + two parts + one part. Brew the mixture (2 teaspoons) with a glass of boiling water. The infusion is drunk strained, 100 ml per day.

In addition, cardamom is an excellent antiseptic. It is used to treat inflammatory processes in the mouth. And if you chew a few grains, you will get fresh breath.

The expectorant properties of the spice are well revealed if you use it for inhalation for bronchitis and prolonged dry cough.

A rich combination of microelements - calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc, as well as B vitamins makes cardamom an excellent regulator of the central nervous system. The spice helps relieve tension, wards off depression and stimulates brain function.

Another property is the fight against insomnia: an hour before bed, drink a decoction of cardamom fruits - a teaspoon of spice in a glass of boiling water.

On the contrary, to perk up, add spice to your coffee.

The healing properties of the spice are also absorbed by the essential oil. Its smell is an excellent antidepressant.

Another pleasant bonus of consuming cardamom is its stimulating effect. It was used in the ancient art of love as. From a scientific point of view, spice increases male strength. And its smell attracts a partner, adding charm to you.

Ideal for coffee and more

This is a truly great combination - coffee and cardamom: the use of the spice in drinks is perhaps the most common. The secret is that the spice can reveal the coffee aroma. And the property of “grain of paradise” to neutralize the effect of caffeine makes the drink also safe for hypertensive patients.

Cardamom also goes well with tea. As a rule, black varieties of tea are enriched with spice. You can simply add the spice to the drink when brewing. Or you can find ready-made tea with cardamom.

A less common drink, but not inferior in taste and benefits, is milk with cardamom. An excellent way to quickly and peacefully fall asleep in the evening.

Here is the recipe for healing milk: 3 glasses of milk + 10 + ½ teaspoon of spice. Bring the mixture of milk and ground nuts to a boil, add spice and a little sugar. The cardamom milk takes about five minutes to prepare. It tastes best when drunk warm.

Use in food

Cardamom is also often used in cooking - in salads and main courses. It will also improve soups, especially (or soup with other legumes). Proper Asian pilaf also cannot be imagined without this spice.

Cardamom is friends with meat and fish. It is added in the industrial production of minced meat or sausages, as well as in canned food and pates. If you want to prepare an unusual fish dish, season it with a mixture of cardamom and.

This spice is also included in the spice mixture for desserts. They are sprinkled on puddings, curd treats and fruit and berry salads. Cardamom is an excellent natural flavoring for baked goods, from buns to birthday cakes.

Weight loss recipe from India

Cardamom was discovered as a metabolic stimulant by the inhabitants of Ancient India. They fought with the help of spices against severe obesity. Of course, it was easier for them: it is the Indian island of Sri Lanka that is considered the birthplace of the spice.

Try this ancient remedy for weight loss too. Using cardamom for weight loss is as easy as shelling pears: season your favorite dishes with freshly ground spice. You can supplement such a simple diet by drinking tea or infusions with spices. This gives impetus to metabolic processes in the body. The metabolism of fats and carbohydrates accelerates significantly, which stimulates fat burning.

But when using cardamom for weight loss, do not forget that all spices increase appetite. This property of the spice can cause the opposite effect. Therefore, during the cardamom diet, carefully control what you eat. In addition, the spice itself is quite high in calories - 300 kcal per 100 g of seeds.

Another nuance - the cardamom must be fresh. Choose green boxes without visible damage or dents. Unfortunately, a cheap ground product from a hypermarket will not bring the desired result. Although, when switching to proper nutrition, adding any spices to your diet will help stimulate metabolic processes.

When choosing cardamom as a fat burner, you should remember not only its beneficial properties, but also its contraindications. Some people shouldn't overuse spices.

Whose enemy is cardamom?

So, you are planning to heal or lose weight by consuming Elettaria cardamomum - then you should know that the benefits and harms of this spice are similar to the medicinal properties and contraindications of other spices.

The first “no” is for those who are inclined to food allergies. Cardamom may cause individual intolerance. So before you buy an expensive spice, find out what relationship your body has with cardamom.

The second contraindication is for people with diseases of the gastric mucosa. Taking aromatic spices will aggravate the situation and may cause an attack of pain when peptic ulcer and gastritis.

And the last thing - know when to stop. Like other spices, cardamom is used in small quantities. It should enrich and enhance the flavor of your food, not overwhelm it. In addition, an overdose causes diarrhea and, as a result, dehydration.

Cardamom is not officially contraindicated for pregnant and nursing mothers. But being in such an important position in your life, don't experiment. You can add spices - but just a little bit and not every day.

Where can I buy?

The easiest way to buy cardamom is on the market. If you are not very sure that you can find a quality product, then you can look in foreign online stores: for example, there is cardamom in pods and in ground form, and this is a product with a lot of excellent reviews.

What is cardamom (spice)? Where to add it to make the dish more aromatic and tasty? We will answer these and other questions in this article.

General information

Do you know where to add cardamom? The use of a seasoning with a pronounced aroma and bright taste is very common in cooking. This spice is obtained from the fruits of a perennial herbaceous plant of the same name, belonging to the ginger family. Cardamom is native to Ceylon, the Malabar coast of India and Guatemala.

Features of use

How is cardamom (spice) used? Where to add this spice? Due to the fact that the aroma from crushed cardamom fruits disappears very quickly, they should be purchased in pods, or so-called boxes.

Before use, the pods are peeled and the fruits are ground. You can also grind whole pods. But in this case, the aroma of such a spice will be less pronounced.

Composition and properties

What properties does cardamom (seasoning) have? Where to add this product? As mentioned above, the fruits of the plant in question are a concentrated spice with a pronounced taste. For this reason, it is used only in small quantities.

Cardamom grains contain about 3-8% essential oil, which consists of fatty oils, as well as terpinyl acetate, terpineol, cineole and protein.

What is cardamom (spice)? Where to add this unusual spice? Cardamom is a pronounced tonic. In India and the Middle East, the fruits of the mentioned plant are usually added to tea and coffee. It should be noted that cardamom beans and coffee beans are often ground together.

If cardamom is combined with other seasonings, it can easily overwhelm their flavor.

What is the benefit of the product?

Now do you know what the spice cardamom is? We'll tell you where to add it below.

Due to the presence of beneficial and nutrients, it can stimulate the secretion of gastric juice and strengthen the muscles of the stomach. It is also often used as an aphrodisiac (that is, a drug for impotence).

Experts say that cardamom contains a large number of calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and zinc. The spice in question also includes vitamins B1, B3 and B2.

In Eastern medicine, it is believed that cardamom seasoning helps remove mucus from the body. In this regard, it is very often used in the treatment of bronchitis, asthma, as well as coughs and colds. In addition, this spice cleanses the gastrointestinal tract. It is included in various preparations that significantly improve digestion.

Cardamom is used to cleanse the respiratory system and oral cavity. It is very effective and neutralizes pathogenic flora.

Use in cooking

The fruits of the plant in question are actively used not only in folk medicine. What other purposes is cardamom used for? Use as a spice is very popular in culinary practice. It should immediately be noted that beneficial features, the taste and aroma of this seasoning are not destroyed even with prolonged and intense heat treatment.

Some experts say that cardamom can be consumed without pre-processing. For example, in Indian restaurants, grains of the plant of the same name are served on a plate after dinner. In this case, the fruits are used instead of chewing gum. They freshen breath well and also stimulate digestion.

Those who decide to add this spice to homemade dishes should know that the aroma and taste of cardamom takes time to manifest itself in a pronounced form. Therefore, it is better to prepare lunch using the mentioned seasoning several hours or one day before consumption.

Where to add?

Experienced chefs say that green cardamom is great for any type of dish. As for black spice, it is only added to unsweetened drinks and foods.

Ground cardamom is present in almost all mixtures, including garam masala.

It should also be noted that the aromatic spice in question can be found in a wide variety of soups, including pea, bean, lentil and bean. In addition, it is ideal for dishes with rice and potatoes. It is added to fruits, vegetables and nuts.

In drinks, cardamom is used as an infusion (without boiling) and milk decoction. This seasoning is also found in liqueurs such as Chartreuse and Curacao. In addition, it is often added to jelly, compotes, coffee and tea.

In the dessert menu, the fruits in question are used as a component for pilafs and sweet milk porridges, cookies, cakes, gingerbreads, pastries, muffins, mousses and halva.

Simple recipes. Where to add cardamom?

You can add the spice in question to the following drinks:

• Coffee.

Coffee with cardamom is a traditional drink of Arab and Asian countries. The seasoning in question gives coffee a noble taste. In addition, it eliminates caffeine toxicity, reduces the risk of tachycardia and increases blood pressure.

According to consumer reviews, to make such a drink yourself, several ground fruits must be placed in a coffee pot with ready-made coffee or before directly brewing it.

• Tea.

Cardamom in pods or grains can be added to black teas instead of citrus fruits. The taste of this drink will be especially appreciated by those who love tea with the aroma of bergamot.

The tradition of drinking cardamom tea came to us from China and India. In these countries it is considered the drink of wisdom.

What is cardamom? The beneficial properties and contraindications of this product will be discussed further. We will also tell you about what this seasoning looks like, where and how it is used, and why it is needed.

General information

Do you know what cardamom is? The beneficial properties and contraindications of this product are known to few. Moreover, some housewives believe that this is some kind of exotic fruit or vegetable. But that's not true. Cardamom is a common spice (condiment). It is very often added to African and Asian dishes. For some time now, this seasoning has become very popular in our country.

origin of name

How is cardamom obtained, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which are the cause of disagreement among many experts? The word "cardamom" (emphasis on the last syllable) comes from the Greek "καρδάμωμον". This term is used to refer to the fruits of the perennial plant Cardamom, which belongs to the Ginger family.

The fruits of this herb ripen only in the 3rd year and have a rather strong aroma with camphor tones. This seasoning is one of the most expensive spices. That is why she was nicknamed the “Queen of Spices.”

Production

You can learn everything about cardamom and its beneficial properties from the materials in this article. What does this seasoning look like? We will tell you about this too.

The unripe fruits of true Cardamom are small boxes. In cross-section they have a triangular cross-section. They are collected and then dried in the sun. After this, the fruits are moistened and dried again. As a result of this processing, triangular capsules are obtained, which are white in color and length from 0.7 to 1.4 cm.

Everything about the beneficial properties of cardamom is known not only to experienced cooks, but also to residents of India. After all, this country is the birthplace of this spice. True cardamom grows on the Malabar Coast and Ceylon. In the 21st century, Guatemala began to produce the largest quantities of this spice.

Features of the spice

The beneficial properties of cardamom for treating and strengthening the human body are invaluable. But before using this product, you need to find out what features it has.

Due to the fact that all its aroma very quickly disappears from the ground fruits of the herbaceous plant, it is recommended to purchase cardamom only in pods or so-called boxes. Before direct use, the pods are shelled and the grains themselves are ground. By the way, some chefs grind not only fruits, but also whole cardamom. However, the aroma of this spice is not very pronounced.

Useful properties and uses of cardamom

Cardamom is a concentrated spice that has a distinct taste. Therefore, this spice is used only in small quantities. Cardamom grains contain about 3-8% essential oil. It contains fatty oil, as well as substances such as terpinyl acetate, terpineol, cineole and protein. The squeeze from the fruits of the herbaceous plant is quite widely used in perfumery.

What else is cardamom used for? The beneficial properties and contraindications of this spice are such that in India in the Middle East it is often added to tea and coffee (for example, masala tea and Bedouin coffee). By the way, to prepare the last drink, coffee and cardamom beans are almost always ground together. When combined with other seasonings, this spice usually completely overpowers their flavor.

Cardamom is a pronounced tonic. Due to the presence of the substances that were presented above, in the Middle Ages this spice was actively used to stimulate the secretion of gastric juice and strengthen the muscles of the stomach. In addition, cardamom was used as an aphrodisiac (a drug to increase sexual desire) and as a carminative.

Cardamom: beneficial properties, composition, calorie content

What substances does a seasoning like cardamom contain? This spice contains a lot of calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and zinc. By the way, there is much more natural zinc in the fruits of real Cardamom than in many other spices.

Among other things, this spice contains vitamins B2, B1 and B3.

In Eastern medicine, it is believed that cardamom helps to quickly remove mucus from the human body. That is why it is very often used in the treatment of patients with asthma, bronchitis, colds and coughs.

Proponents of alternative medicine also claim that the fruits of real Cardamom are good for cleansing intestinal tract. That is why it is included in many herbal teas, which are designed to improve digestion. In addition, the spice we are considering is actively used to cleanse the breath and oral cavity. This is due to the fact that the seasoning quite effectively neutralizes pathogenic flora.

Speaking about energy value, I would like to note that cardamom is a fairly high-calorie spice. 100 g of this seasoning contains about 311 kcal. But due to the fact that it is used in small quantities, it cannot in any way affect a person’s figure. Therefore, it is used even during strict diets.

Beneficial features

Having talked about the fact that cardamom is called an aromatic spice, I would like to move on to its beneficial properties. The boxes of this seasoning contain all the most valuable things that this herbaceous plant contains. Cardamom seeds are excellent aphrodisiacs. Moreover, they quickly relieve a person’s daytime fatigue and give him energy. To do this, you just need to chew a couple of seeds.

There are a great many varieties of this spice. Moreover, they can all differ quite significantly both in aroma and taste. The most popular are green and black cardamom. It is these seasonings that have the best effect on human health.

The plant we are considering is also an excellent antioxidant. It quite easily removes all harmful substances from the body.

The main benefits of cardamom are the following:

• It can be added to both tea and coffee. This gives the drink a special piquancy and also neutralizes the adverse effects of caffeine.
• Cardamom grains can be used as a cold preventative.
• Cardamom in combination with honey has a positive effect on nervous system. It is advisable to use this remedy every day.
• Crushed seeds along with sesame and olive oil They are an excellent mask for oily skin.
• Green cardamom has properties that help boost the human immune system.

Another secret property of this spice is that it helps burn fat and helps in weight loss. Cardamom also improves digestion and speeds up metabolism. When combined with red pepper and cinnamon, this seasoning becomes good remedy for weight loss.

Contraindications for use

The spice cardamom, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which we are considering, is quite specific. That is why you should familiarize yourself with all its features before using it. After all, such a spice has not only beneficial properties, but also some contraindications.

If we consider cardamom fruits with medical point vision, then under no circumstances should it be used by those people who have an individual intolerance to the constituent components. It should be noted that this is one of the main contraindications to the use of seasoning.

It should also be said that patients suffering from intestinal and stomach diseases (with ulcers, erosion and other ailments) are highly discouraged from consuming this spice, even in small quantities. Otherwise, the course of the disease may worsen.

Nursing mothers and pregnant women should also not consume cardamom or any of its varieties.

Many experts note that the beneficial properties of this spice can simultaneously act as contraindications. It depends on the diet of the person himself. For example, if you consume both cardamom and any oil in large quantities, this will not contribute to your weight loss. On the contrary, the weight will increase and increase.

Important information

Those who have decided to improve their health with the help of the spice we are considering should definitely know that it is very important to follow the dosage of cardamom when preparing various dishes and medicines. So, in no case should you include more than a quarter of a teaspoon of ground seeds in your food at one time.

People often use complementary foods and spices as regular seasonings or to treat some diagnosed medical condition. Useful properties and contraindications of cardamom deserve special attention, so they should be analyzed in detail and with particular enthusiasm.

After all, this spice has a magical effect on the human body - this is what they wrote in ancient books, describing the fruits of a herbaceous plant of the ginger family. But people could only find out about their real beneficial properties several decades ago.

Cardamom - what is it?

Not many residents of Russia know about the existence of cardamom, as a tasty spice and seasoning for drinks. It is consumed only by connoisseurs of its wonderful aroma and subtle aftertaste. coffee, tea or other type of drink.

The seasoning cardamom was discovered to the world by the inhabitants of the Malabar coast of India. Already in the 21st century, this product is produced in Guatemala, which is in great demand all over the world, because people prefer to use the finished product and often in ground form.

This seasoning is collected in its unripe form. The fruits are dried, moistened, and then dried again until they are ready to be used as food. It is better to purchase cardamom in the form of boxes and pods., since the aroma of this seasoning quickly disappears when opened, which makes all the enjoyment of the taste properties of the seasoning meaningless.

Photo of cardamom:

Photo of cardamom flowers

This is what cardamom fruits look like

Beneficial properties of cardamom

Before disassembling benefits and harms of cardamom, you should list all of them beneficial features so that the reader of the article has a desire to please himself with the impeccability of the seasoning.

Medicinal properties of cardamom

Since the spice seeds contain up to 8% essential oil and a large number vitamins and beneficial microelements, they have a positive effect on the human body and can eliminate various diseases.

So, the presented spice is used for prevention and treatment ailments such as:

Cardamom improves blood circulation, which contributes to the prevention and elimination cardiovascular diseases, paralysis and rheumatism, where it is necessary to saturate bone, cartilage and muscle tissue with useful microelements, and also improves immunity and normalizes blood and blood pressure.

If a person has nausea and vomiting, he can chew a few cardamom seeds, which will have a positive effect on the stomach.

One chewed seed of this spice energizes you in the morning., eliminating lethargy and morning drowsiness, and also eliminates bad breath.

Due to its composition, the described seasoning has a positive effect in the treatment of diseases through traditional medicine. Some manufacturers add seed powder to the preparation medicines, as an additional stimulating component, and dietary supplements.

It should be noted that cardamom is used by the fair sex for weight loss. In India, the spice began to be used for this purpose back in the 4th century BC.

The magical properties of cardamom

Cardamom is famous for its magical properties. Even in ancient times, this spice was used for rituals and ceremonies. Historical manuscripts confirm this.

Moreover, special potions were prepared from cardamom, which were subsequently added to the lover’s food for the purpose of a love spell.

Such properties have not been proven to date, but this spice is considered excellent aphrodisiac– the spice can provoke sexual attraction to the opposite sex.

Before using a certain type of spice presented, you should carefully study its beneficial properties so that the treatment, if pursued by a person, is more effective.

Coffee with cardamom, video:

Cardamom uses and contraindications

It is better to completely abandon such seasonings if you have serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or consult a doctor before use.

Particular attention should be paid to consideration of the issue uses of cardamom in the treatment of diseases. A list of ailments for which the spice is used should be provided. So, as a treatment, the spice is used in the presence of diseases:

• Colds and viral diseases as an antiseptic– used for oral administration and inhalation.
• – acts as an expectorant.
• When cholesterol levels increase– can reduce cholesterol in the blood and prevent the formation of blood clots.
• Cardamom is used as a diuretic, therefore, in small quantities it can be used by pregnant women to prevent edema, but only in consultation with a doctor.
• In the presence of flatulence and other bloating, as well as diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Insomnia is also the reason for the consumption of the described seasoning.
• Excellent effect on reproductive system women, therefore used for serious menstrual irregularities.

Use of cardamom for medicinal purposes should only be done after consulting a doctor. Otherwise, you can harm yourself even more.

Cardamom: instructions for use

The presented natural component is used to treat the most various diseases, which entails compliance with the established instructions for use. A short list of recipes for consuming cardamom in the treatment of diseases should be given:

If a person feels nauseous, he can simply chew 2-3 spice seeds. Due to its effect on the functioning of the stomach, it is often recommended to take it with you when traveling by transport.

If you experience intestinal upset, cardamom in the amount of three crushed seeds and a small amount of grated ginger are brewed with a glass of boiling water. Then the infusion should be boiled for one minute and left to cool slightly. Drink the resulting decoction as regular tea. In a similar way, you can drink regular tea with cardamom and. The same composition should be consumed for constipation.

As a preventive measure viral diseases cardamom is used together with honey, mixed in a 1:1 ratio.

Cardamom for weight loss used in combination with green tea and lemon juice. For one mug of brewed natural green tea there is a quarter of a teaspoon of ground cardamom and a few drops of fresh lemon juice. Drink a similar mixture every morning - this promotes normal digestion and accelerates metabolism.

If you decide to get clean, it is recommended to pour a glass of boiling water over a teaspoon of ground cardamom and drink the slightly settled, strained composition over a few days - the daily dose of the drink is a quarter of one glass.

Milk with cardamom consumed at night as an excellent sedative. There are only 2-3 ground grains per glass of milk.

As already described above, coffee with cardamom has an excellent tonic and invigorating effect on the human body. This drink allows you not only to wake up and get rid of drowsiness during the day, but also eliminates weakness after intense physical labor or sports. The preparation of the drink is the same as with tea and milk. Approximately 1-3 grains of the described spice are squeezed into a glass of coffee. You should drink in small sips, enjoying the pleasant aroma and taste.

Where else to add cardamom The doctor will tell you in detail if you decide to use this natural component as medicine. He will also carry out diagnostics and prohibit the use of cardamom in the event of a serious gastrointestinal disease.

Tea with ginger and cardamom, video:

In cooking, this spice is used in the preparation of any dishes, which makes them unique in taste and aroma. Use the variety of spice you like to taste and don’t be afraid to experiment with combinations of additional natural ingredients. Of course all food experiments should be within reason.

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