Top 11 Benefits of Cardamom (Elaichi)

When you hear cardamom, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Masala tea. Tea for Indians is not just any beverage but an emotion.

Elaichi is a favourite tea ingredient that people generally use to enhance flavour. It is used not just in tea but also in many Indian dishes, such as biryani and kheer.

But this ‘queen of spices’ is not just a flavouring agent; it holds many benefits that may boost your overall health.

Let’s learn more about this sweet and flavourful spice and how it may be helpful in this article.

Everything About Elaichi

Cardamom is a spice derived from the seeds of several Zingiberaceae plants. This spice plant is native to the Southwest Indian forests and has been in use for over 4000 years.

It is used in baking, cooking, and making medicines. It has a very unique flavour that hints of mint and citrus.

People use this in curries, drinks, desserts, and stews. There are two kinds of cardamom found commonly – green and black- and both have different uses in Indian kitchens.

The green one has smaller pods than the black one. In addition, it’s among the priciest spices available worldwide.

Nutritional Profile of Cardamom

Here is the nutritional profile of both green and black cardamom per 100 grams ^[1]:

Health Benefits Elaichi

This spice is known for many health benefits, some of which are listed below:

#1. Digestive Health

Cardamom may aid in digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes. This spice may help control bloating, indigestion, and cramps and keep your gut healthy ^[2].

• If you want to know more about your digestive health, take the 2-minute digestive quotient test by Aashirvaad.

Besides, it is also an excellent fibre source that may help improve digestion and regulate bowel movement.

• If you want to know the fibre content in Elaichi, please check it on My Meal Plan by Aashirvaad.

It may help relieve gastric discomfort due to its carminative (gas expelling properties) properties and essential oils, such as menthone, which may provide a natural and flavourful solution for stomach issues.

According to Ayurveda, elachi improves taste ( rochana), supports digestive strength (deepana), and might manage constipation and bloating etc ( vatahara). 

The ingredients in cardamom oil may fortify the stomach’s mucous membrane and might help with asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory issues. [3]        

Strong stomach linings stimulate hunger, and saliva production may help keep the stomach from being too acidic.

Pro Tip: To ease bloating, mix ginger powder, cardamom powder, and rock salt in equal proportions and consume them with warm water.

#2. Respiratory Health

According to Ayurveda,elachi is considered Kashara, shwashara, and Kaphahara – which means it might relieve cough and cold. ^[4].

Thus, it may help in enhancing blood flow to the respiratory organs. Inhaling steam infused with cardamom oil may help relieve colds, coughs, and congestion ^[5].

Mixing honey with cardamom powder may be an effective home remedy in controlling cough and mucus ^[6].

#3. Remove Bad Breath and Dental Health

Green cardamom may be used to remove bad breath due to its anti-microbial properties and the presence of cineole.  

This oil kills the harmful bacteria on the tongue and palate and thus may promote oral health.

This spice also has a vigorous flavour and a refreshing smell that may support stopping bad breath ^[7].

Chewing its seeds may alter the mouth’s pH levels and may assist in your body producing more saliva. Thus, it may help keep your mouth moist and protect it from dental issues, such as cavities ^[8].

Pro Tip: Boil cardamom powder in water, let it cool at room temperature, and use it for gargling. It might help you maintain overall oral health.

#4. Heart Health

Including this healthy spice in your diet may help lower blood pressure and improve heart health ^[9].

It may be due to antioxidant properties that help improve heart functions. It may also help in managing cholesterol levels.

#5. Prevent Inflammation

This spice is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and thus may help people with inflammation ^[10].

Thus, it may help prevent chronic illnesses caused due to inflammation in the body, such as arthritis.

#6. Helps in Detoxification

This spice may act as a diuretic, increase urine flow, and aid in eliminating toxins from the body. Thus, it may also help improve kidney functions and overall body detoxification ^[11].

• You can make simple cardamom water that may help you with detoxification. Simply crush the pod and take out the seeds. Place the pod peel and seeds in a bowl and cover with water. Let it be covered overnight and drink it in the morning

#7. Treating Nausea and Vomiting

Elaichi has antiemetic properties that may help treat mild vomiting and nausea. It may particularly benefit if the vomiting is along with a burning sensation or sore throat.

It may be suitable for people who have travel motion sickness. You may eat a few cardamoms to help you with nausea ^[12].

#8. Weight Management

Detoxifying elaichi water may also help improve your metabolism when taken on empty stomachs in the morning.

It may kick-start the metabolism rate and burn calories, resulting in weight management. Hence, it may be an excellent option for people looking for natural weight loss options ^[13].

#9. Hair Health

It is rich in nutrients and minerals, such as vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, potassium, and magnesium. All these may help strengthen hair follicles and boost hair growth.

Moreover, its antioxidant properties may protect the hair from environmental effects and also protect it from damage caused by free radicals ^[14].

#10. Menstrual Cramp Relief

This spice is known for its antispasmodic properties that may help ease the discomfort caused by menstrual cramps.

You may want to include its tea during your menstrual days for relief. Its warming properties may help relax muscles, reducing discomfort and the likelihood of spasms.  

It may also enhance blood circulation to the pelvic region, contributing to the relief of cramps ^[15].

Still, it is better to consult dieticians to avoid any discomfort!

#11. Skin Health

Its antibacterial properties may help in healing acne and skin breakouts. It may also act as a skin purifier and clear out blemishes.

Thus, it may give you an even-out complexion and clearer-looking skin ^[16].

Side Effects of Cardamom

Even though there are many benefits, this spice also has a few side effects due to its allergic reaction that you must know:

• Skin rash
• Coughing
• Tongue swelling
• Breathing difficulties
• Excess consumption might affect fertility

Besides, excessive consumption of this ingredient may lead to dehydration and diarrhoea. It may even produce flatulence-inducing effects if eaten in excess. As such, it is advisable to seek expert opinion to avoid any such issues.

Cardamom Milk Recipe

This recipe is an excellent way to include in your diet that may help you in your weight loss journey:

Ingredients:

• Cardamom – 1 small
• Milk – ¾ cup
• Sugar – 1 teaspoon

Method:

• Crush one small cardamom slightly.
• Add milk to a pan, add the crushed cardamom, let it boil, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Once done, switch off the flame and add sugar.
• Mix well, sieve the milk and serve.

To learn more ways to include this versatile ingredient in your diet, you can contact Aashirvaad’s in-house expert dieticians.

Banana Cardamom Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:

• Ground cardamom – ¼ teaspoon
• Banana – 1 Frozen
• Greek yoghurt – 1 cup plain
• Dates – 2
• Ginger – ½ inch
• Almond milk – ¼ cup
• Salt – a pinch

Method:

• Blend the banana, Greek yogurt, dates, milk, ginger, cardamom powder, and salt.
• Blend this mixture until completely smooth.
• Pour in the glass and serve it.

How to Select Cardamom?

These days, cardamom powder, loose seeds, and whole spices are readily available. Here are some tips on buying your perfect cardamom:

• When buying green cardamoms, prefer bright green ones as they will have more flavour and are suitable for sweet and savoury dishes.
• It should smell like a flower and pine with a slight green tint.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cardamom may have several advantages, including supporting heart health, reducing inflammation, and assisting with digestion.

Its ability to enhance taste and well-being through various culinary applications makes it a simple and convenient supplement to any diet.  

Whether cardamom is steeped in tea, added to food, or blended into sweets, it may be a tasty and healthy option for a balanced diet.

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