March 15, 2002

CARDAMOM

Alternate Names: Grains Of Paradise, Pai-tou (Chinese), Sha Ren (Chinese), Ela (Sanskrit), Ilaichi (Hindi)

Parts Used: Ripe seeds.

Properties: Antispasmodic, Appetizer, Aphrodisiac, Aromatic, Carminative, Cerebral Stimulant, Diaphoretic, Digestive Tonic, Expectorant, Mucolytic, Sialagogue, Stimulant, Stomach Tonic, Tonic.

Internal Uses: Anorexia, Asthma, Bedwetting, Bloating, Bronchitis, Celiac Disease, Chi Deficiency, Colds, Colic, Cough, Cramps, Delerium, Depression, Fatigue, Fever, Flatulence, Halitosis, Headache, Incontinence, Indigestion, Kidney Stones, Laryngitis, Malabsorption, Spermatorrhea, Stomachache, Vomiting

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

Cardamom, when added to grains and dairy products, improves their digestability. Cardamom improves circulation to the digestive system and lungs. It also helps to improve mental alertness.

Topical Uses: Insect Repellent

Topical Applications: Insect repellent. It can also freshen garlic breath. Essential oil is used in perfume.

Culinary uses: Added to breads, cakes, cookies, pickles, coffee, curries, garam masala, baharat, rice dishes and egg nog. Used in Indian, Arabic and Ethiopian dishes. When added to grains it enhances the digestability of their phytic acid content. Liqueurs, spiced wine.

Energetics: Pungent, Bitter, Sweet, Warm, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Essential oil (borneol, camphor, carvone, cineole, eucalyptol, limonene, linalool, terpinine, sabinene), caprylic acid.

Comments: Cardamom is mentioned in ancient Vedic texts. In Arab cultures, serving Cardamom to a guest is a sign of hospitality. A great breath freshener, people would chew it after drinking alcohol to conceal their indulgence. Cardamom was a favored ingredient in ancient love potions. It is currently the third most expensive spice in the world as each seed must be hand picked. As its volatile oils evaporate easily, it is best to buy the whole seeds, remove the outer covering and grind them as needed. It is a delicious herb that improves the appetite.

-- Phil in KS (pemccoy@yahoo.com), March 15, 2002