There’s a reason why cardamom does not come with a cheap price tag — it can make salads, stews, soups, biscuits, truffles, teas, smoothies and so many others taste astonishing. Related to the ginger family, this green spice from India which is popularly used in whipping up Asian dishes also offers a wide variety of health and beauty benefits.
Here are some of the reasons why your kitchen’s spice rack should have a bottle of ground cardamom in it:
Cardamom Helps Zap Hiccups
This well-known spice is known to have antispasmodic properties, which means that relieves, lowers or prevents spasms of the smooth muscles in the body. It’s exactly for this reason why cardamom is a popular remedy for hiccups.
It Also Helps Deal with Abdominal Cramps
Got an achy belly due to stomach or intestinal cramps? Slowly sip a cup of warm water with a pinch of ground cardamom in it. This will help put an end to your aching tummy. This solution may also be taken if you are being pestered by the symptoms of an upset stomach after a heavy meal, especially one that’s spicy or greasy.
The Spice Purifies the Blood
For so many years now, cardamom is being used by traditional healers in accelerating or enhancing the removal of impurities in the blood. This is the reason why the spice is very good for those having problems with their kidneys, vital organs that filter out poisons in the bloodstream.
Cardamom is Good for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Got flu or the common cold? Consume a cup of cardamom tea to attain relief from the symptoms of it, such as runny nose, headaches and chest pain. The effectiveness of cardamom against upper respiratory tract infections does not really come as a surprise because the said spice, just like ginger which is a relative of it, has superb anti-inflammatory properties. Add a teaspoon of this spice in a basin with hot water, drape a towel over your head and inhale the steam.
Asthmatics Can Also Benefit From It
Due to the spice’s anti-inflammatory properties, it can provide asthmatics with relief when their recurring airway problem strikes. Cardamom is also highly beneficial from sufferers of acute and chronic bronchitis.
It’s Effective Against Various Infections Too
Traditional healers use cardamom to inhibit the multiplication of fungi, bacteria and viruses. It’s due to this why the spice is very good against controlling an assortment of infections, internally and externally.
Cardamom Promotes Good Oral Health
This highly popular culinary and medicinal spice is recommended for those who are suffering from a variety of problems that have something to do with the mouth. For instance, cardamom is very good at dealing with a simple bad breath. It may also be used for treating more serious oral issues such as mouth ulcers and gum inflammation. Gargling with warm water with ground cardamom helps in beating a sore throat.
The Spice Helps Keep Your Skin Looking Young and Beautiful
Due to cardamom’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, consuming it can help slow down the aging process of your skin. When used topically, this Indian spice is very good at treating pimples and acne, thanks to its antibacterial properties. Its ability to kill off fungi makes it very good against ringworm, athlete’s foot and other fungal infections.
It Allows You to Enjoy Gorgeous Hair
Other than drinking cardamom tea, you may also have it massaged on your scalp to ward off scalp-related problems that can lead to dandruff, as well as hair thinning and hair loss. The healthy beverage may also be used to prevent hair brittleness and dryness, thus saving you from having to face split ends.
