Cardamom: An exceptional culinary spice

Originally from India, cardamom is a herbaceous plant with rhizome belonging to the zingiberaceae family like amome and ginger. Cardamom is one of the ancient spices cultivated and consumed all over the world thanks to its many virtues and healthy properties..

Considered the queen of spices, Cardamom has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb. It is an exceptional culinary spice than saffron to facilitate digestion. This ingredient is often mixed with other medicinal spices to relieve discomfort, nausea and vomiting. The most studied property of cardamom, when it comes to relieving stomach problems, is its ability to heal ulcers. In addition, compounds in this spice may help fight cancer cells. On this topic, studies in mice have shown that cardamom powder can increase the natural killer ability to attack tumors. Likewise, cardamom can be useful for people with high blood pressure.

To be convinced, the researchers administered 03 grams of cardamom powder per day at 20 adults recently diagnosed with hypertension. After 12 weeks, blood pressure had decreased significantly to normal. The promising results of this study could be linked to the high level of antioxidants in cardamom. In fact, the antioxidant content of the study participants had increased by 90% at the end of the study. Researchers also suspect the spice may lower blood pressure due to its diuretic effect., which means that it can promote urination to eliminate water that accumulates in the body, for example around the heart.

The components of cardamom can help increase airflow to the lungs and improve breathing. When this spice is used in aromatherapy, it can give off an invigorating scent that increases the body's ability to use oxygen during exercise. One study asked a group of participants to inhale cardamom essential oil for one minute before walking on a treadmill for one minute. This group had significantly higher oxygen uptake compared to the control group. Cardamom can also improve breathing and oxygen utilization by relaxing the airways.. This can be particularly useful for treating asthma. A study in rats and rabbits showed that injecting cardamom extract could relax the passage of the throat. Whether the extract has a similar effect in people with asthma, it can prevent inflamed airways from constricting and improve breathing. otherwise, cardamom extract may reduce high levels of liver enzymes, triglycerides and cholesterol. They can also prevent liver enlargement and liver weight, which reduces the risk of liver disease.

Cardamom can also fight inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the body is exposed to foreign substances. Acute inflammation is necessary and beneficial, but long-term inflammation can lead to chronic diseases. The antioxidants present in abundance in this spice, protect cells from damage and prevent inflammation from occurring. For the CNEWS website, “cardamom is an essential medicinal spice for the body. The latter is full of many virtues that are very beneficial for health ». Still according to the same source, “this spice is a true ally of the entire digestive system. It stimulates the production of bile, reduces bloating and the feeling of a bloated stomach, relieves heartburn ». Thanks to its antimicrobial and antifungal actions, it also has the ability to regulate the intestinal flora. It also helps fight bad breath.. For that, it is recommended to chew a cardamom seed every morning in order to neutralize the bad smell. Moreover, with its antioxidant content, as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium or iron, cardamom helps fight the action of free radicals and therefore fight against the effects of premature aging.

Some Adverse Effects of Cardamom

Cardamom is an essential ingredient for the body. However, like any product, it is recommended to consume it in moderation. Because depending on the overdose, it can lead to certain pathologies such as dry mouth, headaches, stomach aches and nausea, dizziness and vomiting, insomnia etc… Similarly, the consumption of cardamom without medical advice is not recommended for people with heart problems, severe hepatic, gallstones.

On the other hand, for pregnant or breastfeeding women, this spice does not pose any problem. On the contrary, the addition of this spice in its diet will allow the last, to take advantage of its mineral vitamins, antioxidants, and health benefits of cardamom with its beneficial effects on digestion.

Veronique GBEWOLO (Stag)