What is Black Cardamom and its Types?
Black cardamom is one of the most widely used flavors, especially in an Indian kitchen. It is also known as the ‘queen of spices.’ Generally, elaichi is used as a mouth cleaner, and it also adds a rich taste to your dishes.
Black cardamom (Kali Elaichi) gives an aromatic fragrance which cures even headache, it has innumerable health benefits, it’s a great traditional medicine to relieve your mood swings, mental and emotional stress.
“Black Cardamom are extremely beneficial for skin, hair, and body”, so without any hesitation take a good amount of this astonishing medicinal cardamom in your routine life.
It is also called hill cardamom; the black cardamom seed oil offers some health and beauty benefits. In addition, this spice is used to cure heart difficulties, gastrointestinal issues, and respiratory diseases, especially asthma. Black cardamom seeds are very useful for pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma, and whooping cough.
Types of Cardamom?
Green Cardamom / Choti Elaichi – “It is grown in green color and looks tiny“, you can feel the aroma of this cardamom very well and it enhances the flavors, in most of the south indian savories green cardamom plays a major role. It is primarily used in desserts and drinks.
Black cardamom / Badi Elaichi – “It is black in color and grows very big”, mostly used for spicy preparations with strong flavors including rice, spicy stews, curries and garam masala.
Anyway, there are plenty of benefits in Black Cardamom. Here are some benefits why cardamom scores high in the list of healthy Indian spices.
Plant Description
Black Cardamom is a little perennial herb that can grow up to 1–2 m length. This plant lives near mountain streams, cool forest areas, and damp forest floors. You can find it on the slopes of hills, under the shade of trees, and where there is a lot of well-drained water.
Deep, well-drained soils are rich in clay structure and organic matter. It comes with dull red rhizomes and ligules that are membranous, apex rounded, emergent; Petiole absent, or almost on nearby leaves.
Leaves
Its leaves are long and sword-shaped that is arranged oppositely. The leaf’s length is 50 cm, while the wide is 3 to 5 cm, and the color is swordlike smooth green.
Flower
Flower buds appear at the base of the rhizome. The fruit is a capsule, 2–2.5 cm in diameter, with ten irregular wings, the apex persistent.
Fruit
Fruits are purple, dark brown, or reddish-brown. As the fruit matures, the skin becomes hard, dry, brief, and hard paper. Inside the fruit were many seeds that has a viscous sugar pulp. One pod of the seeds tastes like strong camphor, used as a spice in green cardamom pods.
Different Names of Black Cardamom
Botanical Name: Amomum subulatum
English Name: Black cardamom
Tamil Name: கருப்பு ஏலக்காய்/Karuppu elakkay
Malayalam Name:കരുട്ട എലക്ക/Karutta Elakka
Telugu Name:నల్ల ఏలకులు / Nalla Elakulu
Kannada Name: ಕರಿ ಏಲಕ್ಕಿ / Kari Elakki
Hindi Name: बड़ी इलायची / Bari ilaichi
Urdu Name:پوربی الائچی/ Bari elaichi
Nebali Name: अलैंची,/ Alaichi
Gujarati Name: Badi ilaychi
Marathi Name: मसाल्यासी वेल्सी / Masalyaci Velci
Bengali Name:বারো এলাকা / Baro Elaca
Benefits of Black Cardamom for Health
The black cardamom offers plenty of health benefits to each part of the body like teeth, skin, heart, and much more. It comes with more nutrients. In addition, it gives useful spice in cooking when compared to the other spices. That’s why it is one of the essential ingredients in the kitchen. The black cardamom helps increase gastrointestinal health, supports the immune system, protects the respiratory system, and fights against cancers. The essential health benefits of black cardamom are listed here.
1. Enhance Digestive System
Black Cardamom is one of the main staples in desserts. The elaichi has carminative properties that help to improve the absorption speed. In addition, it decreases stomach irritation and fights against acid reflux.
Another added benefit of this stimulant is that it soothes the mucous layer, which makes it function better and calms the manifestations of irritability and diarrhea.
Also, according to Ayurvedic news, it additionally reduces the air content in the stomach, which gradually makes it suitable for the efficient processing of food.
How to Consume : “Take some Cardamom, 2 or 3 cloves, a bit of ginger and some coriander seeds (dhania). Smash everything and put it into the warm water. Drink this water, and you will get relief from acid reflux, swelling, and gas within a few minutes”.
2. Respiratory Diseases
If you are affected by the respiratory troubles, the black Cardamom has the answer. It is the best natural treatment for respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, lung congestions, whooping cough, pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma, etc.
It warms your airways making it easier for air to circulate through the lungs. Moreover, black Cardamom acts as an expectorant that helps to protect you from coughs, colds, and sore throats. It removes the mucous membrane and normalizes the flow of mucus through the respiratory tract.
Moreover, it enhances the blood flow to your lungs, helping to alleviate the side effects of respiratory problems such as asthma, colds, and hack. In Ayurveda, elaichi is called a warm flavor, which means it warms the body inside and reduces mucus and chest congestion.
If you have a fresh, hack, or stuffed chest, Cardamom is the best reasonable solution to get rid of the symptoms. You should not add any drops of Elachi organic oil to the water bubble and use it for internal vapor respiration.
3. Treat Bad Breath
The use of elaichi is an ancient remedy for treating odor. In some cultures, it is common to chew some Cardamom after a meal. Chewing gum manufacturer Rickley also uses this spice in their products.
If you have bad breath trouble, the elaichi is one of the best natural remedies for this problem. It comes with antibacterial properties, robust flavor, and a lovely smell.
Moreover, it increases the structure of your abdomen, which is known to be one of the main causes of dreaded breathing, which can help to relieve the Source of the problem.
You can chew some cardamom after every dinner. On the other hand, you can drink Elachi tea every morning, which will help detoxify and strengthen your stomach-related structure.
Cardamom mint can lead to fresh breath and has the ability to fight off common oral bacteria. One study showed that cardamom juice can fight against five bacteria that can cause tooth decay. In some test-tube cases, the juices inhibited bacteria’s growth up to 0.82 inches (2.08 cm).
Additional research found that elaichi juice decreases the numerous bacteria in saliva samples by 54%.
4. Decreases Acidity
The essential oils in elaichi strengthen the stomach’s lining and increase the amount of saliva you exhale. When you bite the Cardamom, it expels a significant amount of essential oils that stimulate your salivary organs, enlivening your stomach to function better.
Moreover, it increases your appetite and reduces the level of acidity by giving a cooling sensation to reduce acidity irritation .The best way to control acidity is to avoid sitting after you eat; walk around while biting the cardamom unit, and you should feel very advanced.
5. Increases Your Sexual Coexistence
It is believed that the black Cardamom goes as an excellent tonic and energizer. The black Cardamom helps to strengthen the body and does some awesome things in satisfying sexual dysfunctions like early ejaculation and infertility. Also, it similarly makes you feel agile and lasts longer in bed.
Ways to Consume : “Drinking Black cardamom tea gives the best results for you. You should mix it with some quality green tea and drink it while it is hot, as these compounding activities can directly affect your acid reflux. You can also use this home remedy for headaches”.
6. Battles Paleness
The black Cardamom contains basic nutrients such as copper, iron and riboflavin, nutrients C, and niacin. Named for its enormous importance in the formation of red platelets and cell digestion, are uncommon to fight against anemia. It is all other symptoms.
Ways to Consume : “In a tumbler of hot milk, add a one or two of cardamom powder and turmeric. You can also add a little bit of sugar to taste (if you want). Drink this daily to overcome the various side effects of weakness and light complexion”.
7. Increase Hair growth
You can use black Cardamom in cooking or use cardamom oil; your hair can benefit both ways.
Its antioxidant properties help to nourish your scalp and hair fibers. As a result, you get strong, dense, and shiny fabrics.
Since it is naturally antiseptic and antibacterial, its consumption is better for stopping scalp irritation and infection.
--> Treats Dandruff Problems
If you’re suffering from dandruff problem for prolonged time and looking for a natural treatment for improving the hair growth then Cardamom essential oil is an excellent choice, it’s not only good for skin and digestion problem but also cure works good for hair growth issues. It has a rich anti-fungi and anti-bacteria contents, it’s advisable to mix this oil with cedar wood, clove, cinnamon, orange, and cananga oil so you may get a good fragrance throughout the day.
8 Benefit For skin
The black Cardamom can take care of your skin, both externally and internally. It contains antioxidants, vitamin C, and the essential mineral potassium.
Therefore, regular intake of spices will help your internal system to get rid of toxins, thus improving blood flow across the skin surface and staying healthy. So, if you want to look firm, thin, and youthful, start using black Cardamom regularly.
Black Cardamom not only helps to maintain your age but also helps to get a better skin tone. As it has antibacterial properties, black Cardamom is used as a natural remedy for ‘contact dermatitis’ or skin allergies.
9. Lower Blood Pressure
Black Cardamom is one of the best natural remedies for reducing high blood pressure.
In one study, given three grams of cardamom powder a day for 20 adults with high blood pressure. After 12 weeks, the researchers found that blood pressure levels dropped significantly to normal. People’s antioxidant level is increased by 90% at the end of the study. Antioxidants have been linked to lower blood pressure.
Researchers also found that the spice may reduce blood pressure due to its diuretic effect, which means it can improve urination to eliminate water that builds up in your body, for example, around your heart.
10. Comes with Cancer-Fighting Compounds
The compounds in cardamom can enhance the activity of certain enzymes that help to fight against cancer cells. It also improves the ability of actual killer cells to attack tumors.
In one study, a specific compound in the spice stopped oral cancer cells from multiplying in test tubes.
11. Maintain Blood Sugar Levels
Taking black Cardamom powder every day for a month can reduce the blood sugar level.
In a study of more than 200 adults with type 2 diabetes people were split into groups who took only black tea or black tea with three grams of cinnamon, Cardamom, or ginger daily for up to eight weeks.
The results reveal that cinnamon, but not cardamom or ginger, has been shown to improve blood sugar control. To better understand the impact of Cardamom on blood sugar in humans, further studies are needed.
Traditional Uses and Benefits of Black Cardamom
In the Ayurvedic and Unani methods of traditional medicine, Black Cardamom has long been used for many ailments.
- Its fruit is used as a tonic, aromatherapy, stomach, aphrodisiac, and tooth and gum infections.
- The seeds of the black Cardamom have medicinal properties including stimulant, carminative, stomach, antiemetic, alexipharmic, expectorant, diuretic, and astringent properties. That is recommended in treating common colds and coughs, indigestion, leucorrhoea, vomiting, biliousness abdominal pain, and rectal diseases.
- They are also used to cure anorexia, dyspepsia, hypoxemia, diarrhea, skin diseases, cough, wounds, ulcers, gonorrhea, heart failure, liver congestion, fever, gastrointestinal disorders, and genetic diseases.
- One test-tube study found that the Seeds are very effective for female white spot disease.
- The decoction of the seeds is used as a rope in the caress of teeth and gums.
- Taking black Cardamom with melon seeds can help diuretic in cases of kidney stones.
- The black cardamom oil is applied to the eyelids to reduce inflammation.
- In traditional Chinese medicines, black cardamom is used for stomach diseases as well as malaria.
- Cold infusion of black cardamom seeds is used to handle the oral cavity diseases such as tooth decay and the gums’ inflammation.
- Apply the black cardamom seed paste on the area affected by skin diseases like eczema and ringworm. You will get a better result. You can also apply this paste on your forehead to get relief from headache.
- Chewing the black cardamom seed can decrease the foul breath. Taking black cardamom seed powder of 2 to 3 grams can treat nausea, motion sickness.
- Take a cold infusion of black Cardamom in a 10-15 ml dose to treat indigestion, loss of appetite, and abdominal distention.
- If you are suffering from a cough, then consume black cardamom seed powder of 3-5 g with honey and wait for the result.
- The oil made from black cardamom seeds gives relief from pain and swelling on body parts.
- The black cardamom seed paste is rubbed on the outer pile to decrease it.
- Aromatic oils made from the seeds are the best treatment for sinusitis.
- Its seed paste is rubbed on the body, or a cold infusion of the seeds is treated with kabaja jwara in a dose of 15-20 ml.
- Black cardamom seeds are smashed and used as a flavoring agent in various dishes.
- The consumption of the black Cardamom helps in relieving irritating scalp and scalp infections.
- Black Cardamom is great for the Skin. It helps to maintain the blood flow throughout the body and makes the skin look lighter. Its antioxidant properties offer smooth and glowing Skin. So, consume black Cardamom every day to be more beautiful.
- It is one of the best natural treatments for skin allergies and is a good herbal treatment for dermatitis.
- It has anti-cancer properties that help fight against cancer of the breast, colon, prostate, and ovaries. Its glutathione content inhibits cancer cell growth.
- It is functional herbal medicine to fight against high blood pressure and also promotes the right heartbeat.
- Cardamom is an excellent herbal remedy for respiratory problems like asthma or respiratory disorder. Moreover, it is also used to cure Muscular Spasms.
- In addition, it helps to prevent digestive problems such as acid reflux and abdominal pain, etc. You can also use this to cure gastritis, Diuresis, and dyspepsia.
- Its oil is used for massages to relieve mental or emotional stress. Apply this oil on your forehead to cure headaches.
- The spice is active as a remedy for scorpion and snake venom.
Ayurvedic Health Benefits of Black Cardamom
Bed Wetting:
Take two Black Cardamom pods and add a little bit of sugar. Powder them and lick it daily night before bed.
Vomiting:
Take a 1/4 tsp of black cardamom powder and add it into the cup of water. Boil and drink it when you feel like Vomiting.
Aphthous Ulcers:
Take 4g of Black Cardamom powder and add a 1/2 tsp of sugar in it. Put it on your tongue and let it melt.
Respiratory Diseases:
It is a better treatment for respiratory diseases like Mucus and soothes the Throat. Put one Black Cardamom in your mouth till it converts soft. After that, squeeze its juice, chew, and swallow them. It helps to decrease Cough and cures Respiratory Disorders.
Insomnia:
Take Black Cardamom 2, Coriander seeds 2 tsp, and black peppers 3 to 4. Powder them together. Add a pinch with lukewarm water and drink it once a day.
Menses Scanty:
Take 10 g of black cardamom powder, 20 g of cinnamon powder, and 50 g of dried ginger powder. Mix them well. Consume it every day on an empty stomach with half a teaspoon of lukewarm water.
Nutritional Facts of Black Cardamom
Here is the data that 100 grams of Black Cardamom Nutrition contains
Nutrient | Value |
---|---|
Calories | 311 |
Total Fat | 6.7 gm |
Sodium | 18 mg |
Carbohydrates | 68 gm |
Protein | 11 gm |
Dietary Fiber | 28 gm |
Vitamin C | 35% |
Iron | 78% |
Calcium | 38% |
Culinary Uses
In India, the black Cardamom is widely used in spicey rustic dishes. It is the main ingredient for savory dishes and to season pickles in western Asia.
You can add it to Pulavu, Biriyani, and meat preparations that give an extraordinary flavor to your dishes.
Black Cardamom is also a spice in sausage, soups, curries, and other meat dishes.
It gives the meat a delicious smoky flavor for tandoori style cooking. It is one of the main ingredients in curry powder and spice blends.
The black Cardamom seeds are high in penetrating aromatics, so they are the best alternative for Cardamom.
The oil extracted from the seeds are used for medicinal purposes.
In Afghan cuisine, black Cardamom is one of the popular ingredients.
The black cardamom pods are used as a spice, similar to green Indian cardamom nuts with different tastes. But it is rarely used in desserts.
Its pods are used for jin-jin braised meat dishes in China and widely used in the central-western province of Sichuan cuisines.
In Vietnam, the pods are called thảo quả, and it is used for the noodle soup called phở.
Make your basic meal more special by adding these nuts with lentils, rice, or pasta.
The leaves of the black Cardamom are cooked and consumed as greens as well as the roots are boiled and eat like potatoes.
Its flowers can help to garnish the salad and other recipes.
You can steam and add pods into legumes.
In Sri Lankan cuisine, the pods are commonly added to spicy beef and chicken curries.
Black cardamom seeds are used to flavor tea.
Precautions
People who are suffering from hyperacidity should limit the use of black Cardamom. The excess use can create hyperacidity and mouth ulcers. Excessive consumption of black cardamom can cause respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing and chest tightness, etc. If you are already taking medicines for Anti-platelet drugs, Anticoagulants, Aspirin, Liver problems, Antidepressants, then you have to consult your doctor before consuming them.
Cardamom spice seeds should not be taken in large quantities by a person who has stones as it stimulates the gallstone colic.
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