A Trans-Cultural Healer

     Cardamom has been used as an antidote for scorpion and snake bites in South Asia where it is a common flavoring in foods.  It is also used frequently in Nordic cuisine and in Middle Eastern candies, coffee, and tea.  Like ginger, cardamom has a strong soothing effect on the digestive tract.  It aids in fully digesting food so that we can receive all of its rejuvenating nutrients.



     The strong aromas of this spice reinforces the medicinal strength of its volatile oils.  Many cultures have long relied on its inclusion in the diet to ward off illness and to promote longevity.  Cardamom and other herbs and spices achieve this by increasing circulation, cleansing and digestion in addition to helping to balance blood sugar.  Cardamom has a particularly cleansing effect on the digestive tract and is traditionally used to treat stomach ailments, dysentery and the constipation that can lead to toxic buildup, high cholesterol and hormonal problems.

     The oil of cardamom helps clear mucous from the throat, nose and chest.  It can also clear out the kidneys to reduce fluid retention and maintain a clear, youthful complexion.  Chewing cardamom helps prevent tooth and gum infections that are linked to heart disease.  Cardamom pods can be added to sweet and pungent dishes, but a little goes a long way as just a few can easily overwhelm the taste buds.  Tea made from the crushed seeds is a traditional remedy for depression and can be combined with cinnamon to help alleviate a sore throat or hoarseness.  The oil of cardamom is recommended to massage away muscle tension, too.