Cardamom: benefit and harm

Cardamom is a popular oriental seasoning with a characteristic spicy and spicy aroma, but a sweetish taste."Paradise grains" - that's how the word for this scented spice is translated literally from Indian.Get it from the fruits of a tropical evergreen plant family ginger, in height it can reach four meters.

The plant is very beautiful blossoms, white flowers are collected in lush brushes.Then in their place are formed green leather boxes - in their chambers and hidden so valuable gourmet grains.But before the box, you have to wait two years for them to ripen, then collect by hand and gently dry them in the sun.

Interesting! In ancient times, odorous grains were given a magical power, it was believed that they can heal from any sickness.Today it is proved that in some cases cardamom can not only heal, but also bring some harm to the body.But still this spice is more useful than harmful, thanks to its unique composition.

Chemical Composition

If you carry out a chemical analysis of cardamom seeds, they will find the following elements:

• phosphorus, calcium, zinc, magnesium;
• essential oils;
• proteins;
• carbohydrates;
• starch;
• dietary fiber;
• retinol and ascorbic acid;
• vitamins of group B.

Nutritional value of cardamom - not less than 31 Kcal per 100 g of product .But considering that at one time a person uses only a pinch of powder, worry about calories is not worth it.

Useful properties

Of course, such a rich composition could not leave unattended neither doctors, nor cosmetologists.Cardamom is used not only in cooking - this spice is a part of medicines, biologically active additives and cosmetics for hair, face and body.

The main medicinal properties of cardamom are as follows:

1. General restorative and immunostimulating due to a large number of antioxidants in the composition.
2. Reduces blood pressure and normalizes the work of the heart muscle.
3. Prevents the formation of cancer cells.
4. Veterinary and diuretic.
5. Activating metabolic processes and metabolism.

Thus, in medicine, cardamom can be used to treat a whole series of very different diseases.If you add this spice to tea, you can support the work of the heart, strengthen the vessels, get rid of stress and at the same time extra pounds.

Cardamom broth helps with acute toothache.And if you add a lemon, you can get rid of bad breath.Cardamom positively affects the work of the brain and central nervous system, increases mood, improves eyesight.It can help with colds, as well as inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system.

In cosmetology, cardamom oil is mainly used.It perfectly cleanses the skin of acne, removes inflammation and irritation and has a rejuvenating effect, saturating cells with oxygen and vitamins .

Harm and contraindications

Does cardamom contraindications?Like any spice with a strong aroma and essential oils in the composition - yes.It can cause allergies in case of individual intolerance.And if you abuse these fragrant seeds, you can get headaches, nausea, heartburn.

Important! With extreme caution, you should use cardamom with pregnant women.The effect of spice on the body of the future mother and the fetus has not yet been fully studied.That is why during the period of gestation, it is better to limit the use of spices.

Useful advices and recommendations

If you plan to use cardamom for medicinal purposes, it is better to try to get whole boxes with grains, rather than powder in a bag of .You can use them further in two ways: entirely or crushed in a coffee grinder yourself just before making drinks.

Use of Cardamom for Women

You can make coffee or tea with a pocket.For tea, you need to put one piece of cardamom and two parts of black or green tea in the teapot, pour a glass of boiling water and insist for a quarter of an hour.If desired, ginger, sugar, milk, fennel are added to the tea.

To make a delicious coffee in a Turk, a spoonful of ground coffee and half a spoon of crushed cardamom, a little sugar and cinnamon are put there.Pour all the boiling water and cook on fire.

Cardamom use for men

Cardamom is a powerful aphrodisiac, it awakens a sexual attraction in a man, and if there are problems with potency - regular use of cardamom will correct the situation and help to establish an intimate life.

To prepare medicinal tincture for men, a handful of cardamom fruit is poured into the bottle, add a spoonful of sugar, pour in all the vodka and insist for three weeks in a sealed state in a dark place.Take the product on a small glass for an hour before going to bed.

The use of cardamom for a child

If a toddler suffers from excessive nervous excitability, does not sleep well, he can make milk with cardamom .To do this, first grind in a coffee grinder three almonds or walnuts and one cardamom fruit, combine with a glass of milk and bring the mixture to a boil.You can sweeten the drink with sugar or honey and give your child a warm drink before going to bed.

Cardamom is one of the essential ingredients of the gingerbread test .Try to replace them with ginger, when you prepare Christmas muffins and cookies, you will like it.It is part of the classic Indian curry seasoning.Do not hesitate to add it to the stew of vegetables or beans, sprinkle meat and savor the pilaf - the dishes will only benefit from such an addition, will acquire a mouth-watering flavor and exotic taste.

Drinks and dishes with the addition of cardamom are fragrant and tasty, they invigorate and cheer up.But remember that this is still a cure, not just a treat, and do not abuse them.

Important! A day is allowed to drink no more than 1-2 servings of tea or coffee with this spice.If you add it to baking and second courses, then limit it to one pinch.Then cardamom is guaranteed to bring only benefit and will never cause bad health.