I developed a liking for cardamom when I tasted it in a Punjabi tea / Indian Masala Chai at a North India cuisine restaurant recently. The  aroma of this spice is complex and hard to describe. It’s citrusy, almost menthol-like, spicy, and herbal all at the same time, and it’s highly fragrant, too. The flavor of cardamom makes me ecstatic and feel like I can’t get enough of it.

Elaichi or cardamom is one of the most common spices seen in an Indian household. Not only is it added to sweet and savoury dishes it is also used as a natural mouth freshener. But the humble green pod has a lot more to offer.

What Is Cardamom?
Cardamom is a spice made from the seed pods of various plants in the ginger family. Cardamom pods are spindle-shaped and have a triangular cross-section. The pods contain a number of seeds, but the entire cardamom pod can be used whole or ground. The seeds are small and black, while the pods differ in color and size by species.

Researchers have conducted several small studies on cardamom, the findings of which suggest that it has some health benefits. Although these studies are promising, large and controlled human studies are necessary before healthcare professionals can recommend cardamom to treat medical problems.

1. Antimicrobial ability
The oil from cardamom seeds may be able to kill bacteria and fungi.
One study found that cardamom essential oil was effective in killing several different types of bacteria and fungi. The researchers suggested that the oil’s antibacterial activity may be due to its ability to damage the cell membrane of certain bacteria.

Cardamom essential oil showed “antimicrobial activity against almost all test microorganisms” in other research, while another study concluded that this oil could be a component in new antimicrobial drugs.

People should not ingest cardamom essential oil, however, and they should always speak to a doctor before using any new herbal remedy. Some products can interact with existing medication or cause side effects.

2. Metabolic syndrome and diabetes

Some studies suggest that cardamom could help with some aspects of metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a group of health conditions that can lead to heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It includes:

• obesity
• high blood sugar
• hypertension
• high triglycerides
• high cholesterol
• low levels of “good” cholesterol

In one animal study, in which the researchers fed rats a diet high in carbohydrate and fat, the rodents that also consumed cardamom powder had a lower weight and better cholesterol than those that did not receive this supplement.

3. Digestive issues
Cardamom is great for curing and preventing digestive issues. Other than this, it is also good for boosting digestive health. The cooling effects of cardamom, despite being a spice, can help in relieving acidity. Along with this, cardamom can also help in treating gastrointestinal issues like indigestion, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and spasms.

4. Bad breath
Cardamom has anti-bacterial properties that can neutralize dental bacteria, thus gets rid of bad breath.

5. Depression
Due to the aromatic properties it holds, cardamom has the added benefit of helping those going through mental stress, depression or any other mental health issue. You can boil cardamom in water or simply have it added to your favorite tea to enjoy the pleasant aroma of cardamom.

6. Expectorant action
Those suffering from asthma and bronchitis, cardamom is a wonder spice for you. This is because cardamom can help improve blood circulation in the lungs by blood thinning action.

7.  Improves digestion
Cardamom is carminative in nature and helps speed up digestion, reduces inflammation of the stomach lining, fights heart burn and nausea. It is known to soothe the mucous membranes, making it function better thereby relieving the symptoms of acidity and an upset stomach. Moreover, according to Ayurvedic texts it also reduces the water and air properties in the stomach making it more capable of digesting food efficiently.

This is my cup of matcha tea with cardamom pods. Crush the pods when they are softened by hot water for the aroma to be released from the seeds.

Cardamom is known to be one of the healthiest herbs on the planet. Studies have shown it to be cancer preventive and heart protective, and can improve blood circulation and kill harmful H. pylori bacteria. It’s been used to treat dental diseases, urinary tract infections, ease gastrointestinal disorders, and cure gonorrhea and impotency.

Cardamom is available in ground form, but for the entire pod, open it to release the tiny black seeds inside for fresh grinding. The seeds offer the most intense, spicy-sweet, and completely unique flavor.