LARGE CARDAMOM

Hi Friends, If green cardamom is the “Queen of Spices”, then LARGE CARDAMOM.  must be the “Bishop of Spices”. The battle between these two spices has been fought for hundreds of years, and perhaps we will never have a definite winner. Both spices are useful for different purposes. The cardamom based agro forestry system in the Himalayas has proved to be a sustainable land use practice at the landscape level supporting multiple functions and ecosystem services. Large cardamom agroforestry is a mountain adaptive slope land management and production system that helps conserving soil and water, maintain soil fertility and high rate of carbon sequestration than any other land use systems in the region. The system is a major contributor of sustainable development in the mountain region by providing socio-ecological sustainability, watershed functions, and cultural, educational and recreational values in additional to the employment opportunities in ecotourism. Some of the ecological functions of the system are habitat and corridor for wild animals, conduit of water, energy, gene flow, seeds, etc. barrier for wind, nutrients and animals, etc. while the system also help augmenting sustainability and well being of the upstream and downstream communities.

Large Cardamom Cultivation in India.

Botanical name of large cardamom is Amomium subulatum. Large cardamom is an important spice and a powerful flavoring agent. It has been used in Ayurveda since time immemorial because of its medicinal properties. It acts as carminative, stomachic, diuretic, an effective cardiac stimulant and is a remedy for throat and respiratory troubles. India is a major producer, consumer and exporter of this spice crop. Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum) commonly known as‘Badi Elaichi’ is one of the world’s very ancient spices. Badi Elaichi pods are dark brown to black in color and have a tough, dried, wrinkly skin. They are highly aromatic but not as much as Green Caradmom. Black Cardamom is dried over a smoke fire and therefore has a distinct smokey aroma. The seeds have sweetish, smokey flavor when bitten into. Badi Elaichi pods are dark brown to black in color and have a tough, dried, wrinkly skin. They are highly aromatic but not as much as Green Caradmom. In Hindi it is called Badi Elaichi, Kala Elaichi or Moti Elaichi. Black cardamom is similar in appearance to Indian green cardamom but differs is size, color and flavor. 

Health Benefits of Large Cardamom

·         It has stimulative, digestive and carminative properties and enhances appetite, relieves indigestion, gas, flatulence, constipation, acidity, nausea and colic and spasms, and dysentery.

·         It treats mouth ulcers, halitosis, teeth and gum infections as it has antibacterial action.

·         Cardamom has expectorant properties, therefore it helps to remove, reduce and soothe the mucus membranes. Thus it relieves sore throat, colds, coughs and various other respiratory allergies.

·         It benefits in urinary tract infections, has diuretic properties and detoxifies the body.

·         Cardamom balances the 3 doshas of the body; tri dosha as it is called in Ayurveda.

·         It works as an antidote to scorpion and snake bites.

·         Cardamom oil added to bath water fights stress and relaxes.

·         Cardamom contains the phytochemicals indole-3-carbinol and di indolylmethane which fight hormone related cancers, that of the breast, ovary and prostrate.

·         It lowers blood pressure and also prevents formation of blood clots.

·         Cardamom increase the levels of the antioxidant glutathione which inhibits colon can cell reproduction and kills them.

·         Cardamom has meat protection properties as it acts as a natural preservative.

·         Cardamom has analgesic properties so it eases joint and muscle pains and inflammed nerves.