Cardamom – this herb is possibly a familiar flavor, due to its use as a spice in Indian chai as well as pastries, particularly from Sweden where this herb is used a lot. This herb grows well in tropical regions, and it is grown most intensively in southern Indian and Guatamala. A member of the Zingiberacea family that turmeric and ginger both also belong to, its Latin name is Elettaria cardamomum and the part that is used is the seed, either in the pod or removed from the pod. This herb is a warming digestive aid with aromatic properties.
Primary properties: carminative, expectorant, lung tonic, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, antimicrobial (particularly the essential oil).
Cardamom is indicated for the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems. For the digestive tract, this herb can help promote healthy digestion, help ease the discomfort of indigestion, and help dispel gas and bloating. It is also useful if someone has a cool/damp digestive tract and excess mucus for its warming, drying effects. If you don’t do well digesting raw vegetables or cold foods, chances are you have a cool/damp digestive system that thrives better on warm, soft foods.
For the lungs, cardamom can be useful for helping to relax coughs, to thin mucus, and for bronchitis for its drying, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory effects. The essential oils has antimicrobial effects and is a strong antispasmodic. It is also useful as a diaphoretic to help break fevers/chills during a cold/flu.As an aphrodisiac, it may be because of its warming, circulatory stimulating effects, and the euphoric effect some people (including myself) get just by inhaling its aromatic scent.
Recipe idea: poach or bake a pear, sliced in half and cored, with cardamom seeds stuck in the pear skin throughout. Pears are a lung tonic and can help soothe a cough and break up mucus in the lungs, so paired with cardamom, they enhance each other’s actions. Or just eat this for dessert – yummy!
We sell cardamom in the seed and powder forms in bulk. We use it in our Herbal Chai Immuni-Tea, Feelin’ the Love Tea, and Holiday Joy Tea, as well as our Turmeric Golden Milk powder blend.
