Cardamom is a spice with a very particular and intense flavor that is used both in pastries and in savory dishes. It is also an indispensable ingredient in flavorful and spicy chai tea. Now, did you know that it is also possible to prepare an infusion of cardamom to relieve different discomforts?
As you read, natural medicine has used this ingredient for hundreds of years to relieve inflammation and fight microbial infections. Continue reading and discover how this spice can serve as an adjuvant to fight against different discomforts.
Cardamom
This spice is widely used, for example, to prepare the famous mulled wine in countries such as Germany, Austria or Switzerland. When talking about cardamom, it is important to determine whether we are referring to green or black cardamom.
The first comes from India and is considered the “true” while the second originates from Nepal. In this article, we refer to green cardamom, which is more widespread in the West, although black cardamom has similar properties.
If you have never used cardamom for cooking, you will be interested to know that it is not a powder or a root, as in the case of other spices, but rather a seed. These are mainly used in Asian gastronomy (with great preponderance in Indian dishes) to season rice, curries, breads, cookies and cakes.
Health benefits of cardamom tea
Like other spices of Asian origin, such as ginger or cinnamon, its use in traditional Chinese medicine is widespread. However, are its properties proven? Next, we’ll look at whether its claimed health benefits are supported by science.
Fight nausea and vomiting
In the presence of nausea and vomiting caused by poisoning, cardamom infusion can be a good solution, according to some scientific trials.
Prevents ulcers
Is it possible that a spice serves as prevention against the dreaded ulcers? Although the results in this regard are not 100% conclusive, animal studies have indicated that the formation of ulcers is reduced in this case when cardamom infusion is consumed.
Fight against halitosis
Bad breath is caused by bacteria present in the mouth. Therefore, cardamom with its proven antimicrobial effects against pathogens such as Candida albinas or Streptococcus mutans could be a good ally to eliminate halitosis.
Prevents cavities
How good it would be to drink a rich infusion and take care of your teeth from cavities! Well, according to the data available to date, this would be possible by drinking cardamom, since these seeds would fight different bacteria that cause painful cavities.
Regulates blood pressure
Various studies have shown that people with primary hypertension can reduce their levels by regularly consuming this spice.
diuretic effect
Do you want to lose weight but liquid retention does not let you? So drinking cardamom tea on a regular basis can help you. Researchers have found that these seeds have diuretic properties, that is, they stimulate the elimination of liquids. Let us remember that fluid retention is one of the risk markers for hypertension; therefore, it is closely linked to the previous point.
Antioxidant properties
Cardamom contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and terpenoids, three substances with antioxidant properties; that is, they act against free radicals by combating the oxidative stress generated by inflammation.
In this way, it would protect the body from the onset of degenerative and chronic diseases, such as heart problems, Alzheimer’s and even cancer.
Regarding this last point, it is believed that some of the components of cardamom act by inhibiting cancer cells that generate tumors. However, the data is not conclusive.
Anti-inflammatory potential
Thanks to its anti- inflammatory properties, cardamom infusion would be capable of not only relieving muscular discomfort caused by exercise and discomfort due to diseases such as arthritis and osteoarthritis, but also reducing the risk of diseases such as Metabolic Syndrome.
Reduce the cholesterol
Drinking cardamom infusion would act on triglycerides, lowering bad cholesterol.
Protect the heart
By acting on cholesterol and blood pressure levels, it contributes to good cardiovascular health, since those two are the main risk markers for heart disease.
How to prepare cardamom infusion
Preparing this infusion is very easy, mainly because it is not necessary to pay special attention to the temperature of the water.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water
- 2 cardamom pods
- optional: honey
Elaboration
- Boil the water.
- Add the cardamom seeds.
- Lower the heat and let infuse for 5 minutes
- Turn off the heat and let stand 2 more minutes.
- Sweeten with honey if desired.
Cardamom infusion can help protect your body from different common diseases. Don’t stop trying it.