Cardamom is native to India and is an often used spice in many dishes from South Asia. Fancy Green Cardamom Pods are about 1/2 long and have a fresh green color and pungent, aromatic flavour. After Saffron and Vanilla, Cardamom is the third most expensive spice. Each pod contains about 20 aromatic seeds. Cardamom can be used in many different ways. It's found in curries and as a flavoring in Indian spiced tea. Cardamom also is used in Scandinavian sweet dishes, such as coffee cakes, pastries. Chewing on Cardamom Pods can calm an upset stomach while sweetening the breath. Green cardamom in South Asia is broadly used to treat infections in teeth and gums, to prevent and treat throat troubles, congestion of the lungs and pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation of eyelids and also digestive disorders. It also is used to break up kidney stones and gall stones, and was reportedly used as an antidote for both snake and scorpion venom bite.
Cardamom has some excellent healing properties as a herb and holistic healer. It has been used for 1000's of years to treat the following conditions:
- Cardamom can prevent digestive problems & flatulence
- Cardamom can prevent nausea and vomiting
- Cardamom can sooth an upset stomach
- Cardamom can prevent pulmonary disease
- Cardamom can be used as an expectorant
- Cardamom can help treat colon cancer in some instances
So with all these wonderful benefits, and the great taste, cardamom is an excellent additive to any cup of loose black tea.
