Cardamom is using in Ayurvedic, Unani and aromatherapy system of medicine. Cardamom oil is use to make massage oil, perfumes, room fresheners and soap.
Synonyms :- Cardamom, Cardamom Fruits, Cardamom Seeds, Small Cardamom.
Biological Source :- It consist of dried ripe fruits of Elettaria Cardamomum Maton var.
Family :- It is belong to Zingiberaceae family.
Geographical Source :- It found in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia and India.
Cultivation and Collection :- The seeds are sown and covered with soft soil in August to October month. Full moisture with well drained soil and 10 °C to 38 °C temperature is suitable for its cultivation.
About 150 to 600 cm rainfall and 600 to 1600 M altitude is most favorable. Its plant start bearing from third year of planting. The fruits are picked up just before ripening and leave it to dry either in sun or artificial dryers.
Macroscopic Characters :-
- Colour :- Green.
- Odour :- Aromatic and agreeable.
- Taste :- Aromatic.
- Size :- 2 cm in length.
- Shape :- Oblong in shape.
Chemical Constituent :- Its main constituent is cineole. It also contain terpineol, terpinene, terpinyl acetate, borneol, starch, proteins and fixed oil.
Health Benefits Of Green Cardamom :-
1. Blood Sugar Levels :-
High blood sugar can damage parts such as nerves, kidneys, eyes and blood vessels. Family history and environment are main risk factors of high blood sugar.
Its common symptoms are blurred vision, weight loss, often urination, headaches, skin infections, dry mouth, fatigue and slow in wound healing.
Cardamom Action :- Its phenolic compounds, volatile oils and fixed oil are beneficial for of type 2 diabetes.
As per BMC complement Altern Med, January 2018 clinical trial, 3 g per day green cardamom supplement (for 10 week) is effective for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
According to Iran J Basic Med Sci, November 2021 review, It is use to prevent and treat diabetes. Humans studies are limited to confirm.
2. Blood Pressure :-
Main risk factors of high blood pressure are obesity, high salt consumption, lack of exercise, stress, family history, certain medication, pregnancy period, tobacco use and high alcohol consumption.
Symptoms of high blood pressure are headache, chest pain, breathing difficulty, irregular heartbeat, vision problem, confusion and seizures.
Cardamom Action :- Its daily oral consumption is helpful to reduce systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure and beneficial for heart heath.
It can lower the blood pressure by blocking calcium channels and prevents blood clots formation in blood vessels.
As per Indian J Biochem Biophys, December 2009 controlled clinical trial, Its 3 gm powder (in two separate dose) daily for 12 weeks is help to decrease systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure and enhances fibrinolysis.
According to Iran J Basic Med Sci, November 2021 review and J Ethnopharmacol, February 2008 study, Its consumption can lowers blood pressure by blocking calcium channels.
3. Inflammation :-
Inflammation is cause by external injuries, radiation effects, chemical effect and by germ attack. Two types of inflammation are acute inflammation and chronic inflammation. Its common symptoms are swelling, redness and pain.
Cardamom Action :- Oral consumption of its powder, extracts and topical application of its oil is use to reduce inflammation.
Its oil is using for body massage. Specially, it is beneficial for obese people to reduce inflammation and protect from cells damage.
As per J Sci Food Agric, December 2017 randomized controlled trial, Its supplement can improve inflammatory complications and oxidative stress in body.
As per Nutr Metab (Lond), September 2018 controlled clinical trial, It help to reduce inflammation in overweight or obese non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients.
According to Biomed Pharmacother, July 2017 animal study, It is beneficial for inflammation and reduce oxidative stress in body.
As per Anaerobe, February 2020 study, Its fruit extracts or seeds is helpful to reduce inflammation.
4. Anti Microbial :-
Anti microbial agent is use to prevent and treat fungal or bacterial infections in body.
Cardamom Action :- Its extracts and essential oils both are use to treat bacterial infection. It is most effective for oral infection around teeth.
Topical application of cardamom oil is beneficial for skin infection.
According to Anaerobe, February 2020 study, Its fruit and seed extracts are effective for teeth bacterial infection.
As per J Food Sci Technol, July 2017 study, Its main components are beneficial for bacteria infection and it can be use against conventional antibiotics.
According to Molecules July 2017 study, Essential oils of cardamom, cumin and dill weed can damage bacterial cell membrane.
5. Oral health :-
Oral infections is occur around the oral cavity. Viruses, bacteria or fungi can attack oral health and cause oral infections.
Main symptoms of oral infection are lesions inside or outside the mouth, bleeding in gums, tooth sensitivity, oral pain, bad breath, redness, swelling and ulceration inside in oral cavity.
Cardamom Action :- Its main component cineole is effective for oral infection. Its oral consumption can reduce bad breath and oral inflammation.
Its powder, oil or extract are beneficial for dental cavities, gum disease and mouth infection. It is good source of calcium and phosphorus which provide strengthen teeth.
It is using in many chewing gums to improve oral health.
According to Anaerobe, February 2020 study, It can reduce bacterial infection and inflammation in teeth.
6. Cancer :-
Cancerous cells are grow uncontrollably in body. Main causes of cancer are genetic, unhealthy diet, smoking, environmental factor and harmful radiation.
Its common symptoms are lumps under skin, weight loss, pain in affected area, tiredness, fever and difficulty in breathing.
Cardamom Action :- Its main components and anti inflammatory properties are beneficial for cancer treatment by inhibit the growth of tumors.
Aqueous extract of black pepper and cardamom is use to prevent normal cell from cancer cell. More human researches need for more clarification.
As per J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol, 2015 animal controlled clinical trial, It is chemo preventive agent for rat.
According to J Med Food, April 2010 study, Black pepper and cardamom may effective for cancer treatment.
Side Effects And Precaution Of Cardamom :-
It contain many essential nutrition which is beneficial for inflammation, bacterial infection, oral health, high blood pressure and high blood sugar.
Its small dose is totally safe for oral consumption and topical application. Some peoples are allergic to cardamom.
Its common side effect are :-
- In oral consumption :- It may chance to stomach upset, skin rashes, abdominal pain and breathing difficulties.
- In Inhalation :- It may chance to skin rashes and breathing difficulty.
- Topical application on skin :- It may chance to skin irritation and skin rashes.
During medication, always consult to your doctor before using. It may chance to interact with medicine.
Its large consumption is not recommended during pregnancy period, it may lead to a miscarriage.
Due to insufficient information, always try to avoid or use less amount during breastfeeding.
Cardamom Dosing And Storage :-
Green cardamom is a common variety of cardamom. Its aromatic flavor is using in cooking, various fresheners, soap and to make perfumes.
It is use as a spice and beneficial for inflammation, high blood pressure, oral health, bacterial infection and high blood sugar.
Recommend 500 mg to 3 gm of its powder for adult in single dose. Its large dose may not be suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding females.
Its fruits should be store in well close container and keep it in cool places. Its volatile oil is lost within 18 months of storage.
Its oil should be store in cool and dark place to preserve its flavor and potency. Keep oil away form direct sunlight and store in airtight container.
Cardamom Oil :-
It is highly aromatic and concentrated essential oil. Its essential oil is extracted from the seeds of cardamom fruits and has a relatively short shelf life.
Its pure oil is using in aromatherapy, cooking and medicine preparation. Its topical massage can relieve inflammation and skin infections.
Its oil is use to make perfumes, various fresheners, soap and steaming products.
How to make cardamom oil with the help carrier oil at home :-
- Take a fresh cardamom pods and crush with the help of grinder.
- Mix crushed cardamom pods with carrier oil in glass container. (carrier oil such as almond oil, or coconut oil).
- Close glass container tightly and shake it well to mix properly.
- Keep container away form sunlight and store in cool place.
- Let the mixture infuse for at least 2-3 weeks.
- After 2 to 3 weeks, strain the oil properly and collect the oil.
Cardamom Nutrition :-
It is a traditional aromatic plant. Its essential oil is use for flavor and scent. It is rich source of calcium, potassium and magnesium.
Its vitamins and minerals are use to treat inflammation, mouth infection, diabetes and high blood pressure.
It contain :-
- Calories.
- Fat.
- Carbohydrates.
- Fiber.
- Protein.
- Potassium.
- Calcium.
- Magnesium.
- Iron.
- Phosphorus.
- Vitamin C.
Difference Between Green And Black Cardamom :-
Green and black cardamom are come from different plants with different flavor. Both are belong to same botanical family.
Green Cardamom :-
- It is come from the species Cardamomum Elettaria.
- It also known as small or true cardamom or chhoti elaichi.
- It is green in color with sweet flavor.
- It harvest before it maturity without any processing.
- It is very small in size.
Back Cardamom :-
- It is come from the Amomum Subulatum.
- It also known as large or greater cardamom or moti elaichi.
- It is dark brown in color with smoky flavor.
- Well dried with the help of heat before use.
- It has much larger pods.