SIAM CARDAMOM

Cardamom is one of the world’s ancient spices. It is native to the East, originating in the forests of the Western Ghats in South India, where it grows wild. Today, it also grows in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Indo China and Tanzania. The ancient Egyptians chewed cardamom seeds as a tooth cleaner; the Greeks and the Romans used it as a perfume.

Cardamom is an expensive spice, second only to saffron. It is often adulterated and there are many inferior substitutes from cardamom-related plants, such as Siam cardamom, Nepal cardamom, winged Java cardamom, and bastard cardamom. However, it is only Elettaria cardamomum which is the true cardamom. The two popular known varieties of Indian cardamom are: Malabar cardamom and Mysore cardamom. The Mysore variety contains higher levels of cineol and limonene and hence, is more aromatic.

Cardamom comes from the seeds of a ginger-like plant. The small, brown-black sticky seeds are contained in a pod in three double rows with about six seeds in each row. The pods are between 5-20 mm long, the larger variety known as ‘black’, being brown, and the smaller one being green. White-bleached pods are also available. Cardamom is the dried, un-ripened fruit of the perennial Elettaria cardamomum. Enclosed in the fruit pods are tiny, brown, aromatic seeds which are slightly pungent to taste

A stimulant and carminative, cardamom is not used in Western medicine for it own properties, but forms a flavouring and basis for medicinal preparations for indigestion and flatulence using other substances, entering into a synergetic relationship with them. The Arabs attributed aphrodisiac qualities to it and the ancient Indians regarded it as a cure for obesity. It features in curries, is essential in pilaus (rice dishes) and gives character to pulses. Cardamom is often included in Indian sweet dishes and drinks.

Benefits and properties of cardamom

Cure food, bloating, flatulence
Help expel wind
Relieve colic
Nourish the elements, correct abnormal elements
Nourish strength
Helps drive blood 
Relieve the air in your chest and turn off the elements. 
Relieves phlegm to close the elements. 
Relieve gas in the intestines
Helps with appetite 
Treat leukemia 
relieve the breeze 
Hiccup fix
Cure paralysis
Treat anorexia, nausea, vomiting
Treat skin diseases
Nourish blood
Treat lethargy and fever
Nourishes bile
Antidote for Tan Sang poison