Health care - CARDAMOM (Chhoti Elaichi)

It is second only to back pepper- the former called is ‘queen’ of spices and the latter called as “kind of spices’ cardamom has pleasant aroma but is slightly pungent in taste. Its seeds are used to create sensation of warmth.
Cardamom is rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus, protein, carbohydrates, ether extract, crude’s fibre and moisture. Its seeds contain volatile oil that contains constituents like terpineol, Terpinene, Sabirene in the form of acetic and formic acids. For therapeutic uses it is used in-

Digestive Disorders

To increase appetite and soothe mucus membrane, to expel and remove gas and heart-burn. For which mix ground cardamom sees with coriander, garlic and onion. For relieving indigestion and headache, cardamom should be used and boiled in tea. Its aromatic flavour relieves foul smell from mouth, hence used as a mouth freshener.

Urinary Disorders

Mix its finely powdered seeds with amla juice and banana leaf ( to be taken thrice daily) in case of burning and scanty urination, cystitis, Nephritis and gonorrhoea.

Impotency and Premature Ejaculation

Boil 500-750 mg of powdered seeds of cardamom on milk and add honey to sweeten, for being taken at night to remove impotency and premature ejaculation but excessive use of cardamom may prove even counter-productive, as it may cause impotency.

Depression

Boil cardamom seeds in water/tea-it will remove depression apart from imparting aromatic effect and odour to tea.

Hiccups

Prepare an infusion by boiling 2-4 pounded (whole) cardamoms along with 305 mint leaves-a cup of such preparation be taken to get rid of hiccups/hiccough.

It is used in betel-as a masticatory, and also used to flavour cakes, biscuits, pastries, curries, desserts and other culinary tincture, stimulants, for purposes of flavouring bitters and liquors.

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