Spices

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) benefits

January 3, 2020

Table of Contents

Introduction

The cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum L. (Maton); family Zingiberaceae) contains tiny, brown aromatic seeds and is one of the most important spices. It is also known as “Queen of Spices” in India and “Hel” in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, because of its very pleasant aroma and taste. It is used as products in different forms; cardamom seeds, cardamom powder, cardamom oil, cardamom oleoresin, encapsulated cardamom flavor, etc which is used to flavor sweets, baked goods, and hot beverages such as tea and coffee. Cardamom benefits are gastroprotective, treat Seizures, lowers cholesterol and many more.

Types of Cardamom or Black cardamom vs Green cardamom

Black cardamom

It is also known as false cardamom or large cardamom belonging to the family Amomum subulatum. Black cardamom is grown in the north-eastern Indian state of Sikkim as well as in neighboring Nepal and Bhutan.

Green cardamom

It is also called Chhoti elaichi or small cardamom, true cardamom, Ela, Heel khurd, green cardamom. It is commonly grown in India, Pakistan, Burma Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Guatemala, Mexico, and Tanzania.

Main constitutes of Cardamom

1. Essential oil

Cardomom contains essential volatile oil which is made up of monoterpene constituents, such as 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, α-terpineol, linalool, linalyl acetate, and nerolidol and the ester constituent α-terpinyl acetate which exhibit vascular relaxant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antispasmodic properties.

2. Cineole

The major active component of cardamom oil is a potent antiseptic that is known to kill bacteria producing bad breath and other infections.

3. Phenolic compounds

Cardamom contains flavonoids, terpenoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids, and other phenolic constituents that are responsible for reducing fat storage, cardiovascular, pulmonary, kidney and lung associated disorders and improves insulin function in the body (1).

History

In the fourth century, cardamom was used as a medicinal herb in India and was an item of Roman and Greek trade.

Nutritional value of Cardamom

Dried fruit of cardamom contains steam-volatile oil, fixed (fatty) oil, low in fat and high in protein, iron, and vitamins B and C (2).

Compound	Amounts per 100 g.
Water	8.28 g
Energy	311 Kcal
Protein	10.76 g
Total lipid (fat)	6.7 g
Carbohydrate	68.47 g
Fiber, total dietary	28 g
Calcium	383 mg
Iron, Fe	13.97 mg
Magnesium	229 mg
Phosphorus	178 mg
Potassium	1119 mg
Sodium	18 mg
Zinc	7.47 mg
Copper	0.38 mg
Manganese	28 mg
Thiamin	0.20 mg
Riboflavin	0.18 mg
Niacin	1.10 mg
Vitamin B6	0.23 mg
vitamin B12	0 mg
Vitamin C	21 mg
Fatty acids, total saturated	0.68 g
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated	0.87 g
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated	0.43 g

Cardamom benefits

A healthy heart, liver, prevents nausea, vomiting, and bad breaths are some of the benefits of cardamom.

1. Cardamom can treat Post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric illness with symptoms like recurring flashbacks and nightmares, hyperarousal, and numbing. Cardamom contains a high amount of flavonoids contents especially quercetin which improves anxiety-like behavior and depression (3).

2. Gastroprotective properties of cardamom

Cardamom benefits are due to essential oil, sterol, phenolic acids and lipids which show relaxation of muscles and reduce the volume of gastric ulcer (100 %) thus prove gastroprotective effect (4).

3. Treat Seizures

The presence of phenolic compounds like flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins (1,8-cineole) in the cardamom show wonderful effects by delayed the severity of seizures.

Moreover, cardamom has diuretic and sedative effects which may offer added value in its use in epilepsy (5). Research suggests that cardamoms (400 mg/kg) possess significant anticonvulsant and analgesic properties (6).

4. Lowers cholesterol level

3 g of green cardamom powder or black tea and cardamom oil for 2 months may reduce blood total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, serum triglycerides, and increase HDL as well as insulin sensitivity (7).

5. Delay heart-related injury

Cardamom increases the production of a good enzyme (superoxide dismutase and ascorbic acid), restores endogenous antioxidants, preserve histopathology and ultrastructure of the myocardium. In simple words, it improves cardiac function thus delay the initiation, progression, and development of myocardial ischemic injury (8, 9).

6. Cardamom improves the grade of fatty liver

Furthermore, intake of cardamom (500 mg capsules 3 times/day with meals for 3 months) in overweight or obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients improve the grade of fatty liver, serum glucose indices, lipids, and irisin level (10).

7. Lower blood pressure

3 g of cardamom powder twice daily for 3 months decrease systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure, increase fibrinolytic activity (prevents blood clots) and improves antioxidant status thus prevent hypertension (11).

8. Cardamom as a chemopreventive agent

Limonene, cineole indole-3-carbinol and diindolylmethane found in cardamom act as a chemopreventive agent that reduce tumor incidence and multiplicity thus protect against different cancer such as colon, mammary, liver, lung, stomach, and skin (especially papillomagenesis) (12, 13).

9. Insecticidal properties of cardamom

The essential oil from cardamom show toxic effect against bruchid beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus), the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais), chicken mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) and the flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella) pest within 12 hours (14).

10. Cardamom treats hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hepatic steatosis

Intake of cardamom is very effective for the reduction of blood sugar levels, reduce lipid peroxidation and cholesterol level thus protect liver and kidney from damage (15).

Moreover, cardamom inhibits intestinal α-amylase and α-glucosidase (digestive enzymes) thus regulates diabetes mellitus (DM) (16).

11. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of cardamom

Cardamom essential oil contains eucalyptol which inhibits the proliferation of skin cells and reduces inflammation (17). Moreover, cardamom extracts act as a natural agent that can promote the maintenance of a healthy immune system (18).

12. Cardamom essential oil treat Bad breath

Cardamom essential oil (0.5 %) twice per day reduces volatile sulfur compounds up to 4 to 5 hours after mouth rinsing thus helps to overcome from unpleasant odor or bad breath. Therefore, the daily intake of cardamom is helpful to reduce dental biofilm build-up, gingivitis, and halitosis (19).

13. Treat neurodegenerative disease

Cardamom is a rich source of 1,8 cineole (eucalyptol) which inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity and reduces oxidative damage, therefore, cardamom oil may be useful in the management of Alzheimer’s disease and improves cognitive function (20).

14. Antispasmodic properties of Cardamom essential oil

It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent that protects against the writhing (stretching syndrome) therefore, suppresses muscle spasms (21).

15. Antimicrobial properties of Cardamom

The essential oil of cardamom is a rich source of α-terpinyl acetate, 1,8 cineole, linalool acetate, sabinene and linalool which possesses high antibacterial properties against foodborne bacteria such as Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, streptococci mutants and Candida albicans (22, 23).

16. Cardamom powder helps in reducing weight

Consumption of cardamom powder improves glucose intolerance and prevented abdominal fat deposition because it contains phenolic compounds and volatile terpenes which prevent obesity and metabolic syndrome. Cardamom powder also decreases fat deposition and inflammation in the liver by decrease lipid peroxidation, increase antioxidant enzyme activities thus treat liver fibrosis (24).

17. Good for pregnant and lactating mother

Intake of cardamom during pregnancy and lactating period enhances the learning memory and other behavior of a newborn by transporting via placenta or/and milk during lactation (25).

Moreover, the consumption of cardamom powder containing capsule (500 mg/ 3 times/ day) prevents nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (26).

18. An important ingredient in Ayurveda

Cardamom plays an important role in various ayurvedic medicine such as Kapha, mainly in the stomach and lungs. Also, Other benefits of cardamom are that it is useful for pacifying Vata dhosa. Some of the medicines or formula which have cardamom and their functions are as follows

a) Divya Peya (Herbal Tea)

Controls cholesterol and protects from heart diseases promotes immunity, stimulates digestion

b) Divya Amirta Rasayana

It rejuvenates and nourishes the brain and body.

c) Himalaya Abana

Treat hyperlipidemia and hypertension, adjuvant in angina therapy.

d) Himalaya Geriforte

Slows down aging, reduces stress and enhances immunity.

e) Himalaya Mentat

Adjuvant in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases (27).