Green Cardamom is known by various names such as Lesser cardamom, Malabar cardamom or chhoti Elaichi. It is native to India and its major producers are Sri Lanka, Guatemala, and Thailand. It is one of the most expensive spice after Saffron and also called Queen of spices. In India, it is found near Malabar coast where it still grows wild. The cardamoms are dried fruits or capsules of rhizomatoes plant.
These seeds are used in preparation of food and medicines. Cardamom is useful in treating low appetite, respiratory illness, cough and urinary problems. Cardamom has stimulant, carminative and digestive properties. A teaspoon of cardamom contains potassium (22 mg), calcium (8 mg), iron (0.3 mg) and zinc (0.2 mg).
There are various ways to use this spice. Here is given recipe of its tea which is easy to prepare and useful in curing health problems.
Latin name: Elettaria cardamomum
Family: Zingiberaceae
How to prepare Cardamom tea?
- In a pan, take a cup of water.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of powdered Cardamom.
- Bring water to boil.
- Cook for 2-5 minutes.
- Let it steep for ten minutes.
- Filter and drink.
For making this tea more palatable, you may add ginger juice, cinnamon, sugar and milk as per taste.
Health Benefits of Cardamom tea
- Good for digestion and cures abdominal gas, heartburn
- Improves appetite
- Gives relief in hiccups, nausea and vomiting
- Useful in depression, diarrhoea
- Helpful in heart palpitations
- Gives relief in fatigue, exhaustion due to work
- Treats fever due to unknown reason
For preparing tea to treat fever, add half tablespoon juice of Tulsi, black pepper (3-4) and sugar. You may add milk in this. This tea should be taken 2-3 times a day.
It is advised that cardamom should not be taken while suffering from gallstones as it can trigger spasmodic pain.