10 Wonderful Health Benefits of Cardamom

Cardamom is a popular spice with a lot of amazing health benefits. It has a strong flavor that is slightly sweet, its taste is sometimes compared to mint and it is commonly used in savory and sweet recipes.

Cardamom seeds, oils, and extracts are used for medicinal purposes. The medicinal uses of cardamom date back to more than four thousand years and till date you can still find cardamom extracts and supplements in health stores.

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Due to its immense health benefits, cardamom is called the “Queen of Spices” and it is the third most expensive spice in the world. It is next to saffron and vanilla. Cardamom is the world’s oldest spice.

There are 2 major types of cardamom, they are green cardamom and black cardamom. Green cardamom is the most common variety and it is known as “true cardamom”.

Below are ten amazing properties of cardamom.

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10 Health Benefits of Cardamom

1. Highly Nutritious

Cardamom is a highly nutritious herb, it is dense in essential minerals that your body relies on; such as potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, and calcium.

It is also dense in vitamin C, fiber, carbohydrates, pyridoxine, protein, zinc, sodium, iron, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, and other B vitamins like vitamin B6.

2. Treats Ulcer

Cardamom has been used for thousands of years to treat digestive problems and one of such problems is ulcers. It treats and prevent stomach ulcer and gastric ulcer and when combine with other medicinal herb, it relieves the symptoms of vomiting, nausea, and other discomforts.

One of the most researched and confirmed benefit of cardamom is its ability to heal stomach ulcers and prevent digestive problems.

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3. Fights Depression and Anxiety

Cardamom is a great antidepressant, it helps people cope with the symptoms of depression and it has a strong anti-depressant effect. It relaxes the mind and body and relieves stress.

Boil few seeds of Cardamom in water and take them as tea, do this daily and you will see a great improvement. It also prevents anxious behavior, thus helping to fight against anxiety.

It does this by boosting the levels of antioxidants in your bod because low levels of antioxidants have been linked to anxiety and mood disorders.

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4. Detoxification

Cardamom helps purify your body by eliminating toxins and poisonous substances, it is a powerful detoxifying agent and it has no side effects.

The powerful detoxifying property of cardamom is due to the presence of biochemicals and essential oils, accumulated toxins cause cancer, premature aging, and many severe and chronic diseases.

5. Boosts Oral Health

Cardamom is an ancient remedy for bad breath and other oral problems. Some cultures around the world whole pods of cardamom just to freshen their breath and keep oral and dental problems at bay.

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Cardamom is also used in making chewing gum because of its oral benefits. This wonderful spice has the ability to fight and expel dangerous bacteria in the mouth that cause oral problems.

It prevents tooth cavities and prevents the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth.

6. Enhances Appetite

A polish study confirmed some years back that cardamom boosts appetite and help eating disorders. Even cardamom oil is used in stimulating appetite.

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This is a powerful natural remedy for histoplasmosis, this is a medical condition in which one of the main symptoms is lack of appetite.

If you are suffering from lack of appetite, take cardamom tea daily.

7. Treats Infections

Cardamom has powerful antibacterial properties, this enables it to both treat and prevent infections. Cardamom extracts and essential oil can kill many strains of harmful bacteria, including drug-resistant candida, the microbe responsible for fungi infections.

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Essential oils and extracts of Cardamom are more effective than antibiotics against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, these microbes cause food poisoning and other health problems.

This oil is particularly effective against Salmonella typhi (the microbe responsible for typhoid and food poisoning) and Campylobacter (the microbe responsible for inflammation of the stomach).

8. Treats Sore Throats

Cardamom is a powerful relief for sore throats but to boosts it effectiveness, you can combine it with black pepper, and cinnamon, this powerful combo will work wonders for your irritated and sore throat.

Cardamom also relieves nausea, vomiting, and morning sickness.

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9. They Boost Respiration

Respiration is important for all living things, without breathing, we will all die. There are important compounds present in Cardamom that help in increasing the flow of air to your lungs thereby helping to improve breathing.

They also help your body to effectively utilize oxygen. When Cardamom is used in aromatherapy, it gives an invigorating scent that helps in enhancing the ability of your body to use oxygen especially during exercise and physical labor.

Cardamom is also very beneficial for asthmatic patients because it helps them relax their airways, it prevents the inflamed airways from constricting and it also improves their breathing.

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10. Treats Hiccups

Cardamom can relax your muscles, this property makes this herb effective in relieving hiccups. Consume a cup of cardamom tea slowly to gain relief from hiccups.