9 Surprising Cardamom Side Effects for Females
People have used cardamom in the past to help them digest, but there isn't enough evidence to back this up in the real world.
Its seeds and oil have been used for hundreds of years to treat many health conditions, including asthma, heartburn, constipation, insomnia, and high blood pressure. However, there is very little scientific evidence that cardamom works for these ailments.
Cardamom Side Effects
The main concern with using cardamom is that there is not enough information about its safety when used in amounts higher than those used for cooking purposes. Cardamom can be taken orally as an extract or powder when used at these doses. It should be avoided in pregnant women due to the lack of known effects during pregnancy.
Cardamom has also been applied directly to the skin. There is not enough reliable information about the safety of using it on the skin at doses greater than those found in foods.
Side effects in women include irritation and redness if applied directly to the skin and diarrhea if taken by mouth.
1. Diarrhea
Excessive consumption of cardamom can lead to diarrhea and dehydration. According to the book "Healing Spices: How to Use 50 Every Day and Exotic Spices to Boost Health and Beat Disease," consuming large amounts of cardamom may produce flatulence-inducing effects. Take 2 grams of cardamom in capsule form every day to get its benefits without having to worry about side effects.
2. Nausea
The U.S. National Institutes of Health reports that nausea is one of the possible side effects of consuming high amounts of cardamom. Nausea usually occurs when an individual consumes more than 1 gram per day of the spice. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions if you are taking cardamom as a supplement so you do not exceed this amount.
3. Dizziness
According to the NIH, too much cardamom can also cause dizziness. Cardamom is a spice that may have an impact on your health and well-being, with potential benefits such as boosting your digestion. But these benefits come with side effects when consumed in high doses. The caffeine in cardamom may also become problematic if you eat too much of the spice and are sensitive to caffeine. Possible side effects of consuming large amounts of cardamom include headaches, dizziness, insomnia, and vomiting.
4. Menstrual Cramps
Cardamom is used to treat a variety of digestive issues, including stomach spasms. However, the same properties in cardamom that help relieve one type of stomach spasm can worsen another type. If you suffer from painful menstrual cramps, cardamom may increase the intensity of your cramps. Increase the amount of water you drink during your period to avoid dehydration and lessen the severity of your menstrual cramps.
5. Dehydration
Drinking enough water is crucial to maintaining good overall health and avoiding dehydration. If consumed in large quantities, cardamom can have a mild diuretic effect, causing you to urinate more frequently than usual. Cardamom dehydration can happen if you don't drink more water while eating cardamom-flavored foods or taking cardamom supplements, so make sure you drink more water.
6. Pregnancy
Pregnant women should avoid cardamom because it might stimulate the uterus, causing miscarriages or premature labor. Cardamom supplements also increase stomach acid levels and heartburn, which some pregnant women already experience without adding herbs that make these symptoms worse.
7. Blood Thinning
Cardamom may increase the risk of bleeding in people who take anticoagulant medications because it appears to have blood-thinning properties, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Examples of anticoagulants include warfarin, clopidogrel, and aspirin. If you take one of these medications, do not use cardamom without first consulting your doctor.
8. Diabetes
Cardamom may increase insulin levels and lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. According to an article published in "Food Chemistry" in April 2007, "hypoglycemia" can cause hypoglycemia in some people. If you have diabetes and take medication that lowers blood sugar levels, don’t use cardamom without first consulting your doctor, as it could cause a dangerous drop in your blood sugar level.
9. Surgery
Cardamom might affect blood sugar levels and could interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Cardamom might slow down the central nervous system. There is concern that it might cause general anesthesia to work less well. Stop using cardamom at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.
How Much Cardamom Should You Eat Every Day?
Cardamom is a spice that has a very strong aroma and a sweet taste. It can be used to flavor curries, drinks, and desserts. Cardamom is available in two forms—as pods or ground. The pods contain small brown seeds that are used in cooking, but the whole pods can also be used to add flavor to hot beverages such as masala chai. Ground cardamom is often added to baked goods such as cakes and cookies, or it can be sprinkled on oatmeal or rice pudding.
There is currently no recommended daily allowance (RDA) for cardamom because there have not been enough studies performed on humans to establish an appropriate intake level. However, the recommended daily intake of cardamom is around 1 to 3 grams, or between 1/4 and 3/4 teaspoon.
If you're concerned about any of the possible side effects or interactions of cardamom, talk to your doctor before adding the spice to your diet.
What Is The Substitute For Cardamom?
Cardamom has a very distinctive flavor that is hard to miss. Just a small amount of the spice adds an intense flavor to savory dishes and desserts. If you don't have any on hand, there are better substitutes than others.
Green Cardamom or Black Cardamom?
The two main types of cardamom are green and black, which are used in different recipes. As a substitute for either, you can use the other type of cardamom, but the result will be different. When using either one in place of the other, use half as much as the recipe calls for.
You can also substitute green cardamom with equal amounts of cinnamon or allspice. Both will give you similar flavors, if not identical ones. If your recipe uses both ground and whole black cardamom pods, use one teaspoon of cinnamon for every pod that is called for in the recipe. Allspice will work better in sweeter recipes, especially baked goods and puddings, but it can also be used in place of green cardamom in savory dishes like curries.
If you're out of cardamom and need to make a substitution immediately, mix together 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon cloves.
How to Use Cardamom
Cardamom can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, but is most commonly found in Indian cuisine. There are two types of cardamom: green and black. Cardamom is the more common type, sold whole or ground. It has a sweet flavor with hints of citrus and mint. Black cardamom is much smokier and stronger in flavor, with some camphor notes.
Here are a few ways to use cardamom:
- Use it in curries, mulled wine, pilafs, custards, and other desserts.
- Add a pod or two to your next pot of coffee or tea for a subtly sweet and aromatic drink.
- Sprinkle ground cardamom over fruit salads or fruit compotes.
Recipe For Cardamom Tea
My favorite tea is cardamom tea. It's so easy to make and it's a great way to treat yourself at home.
To make cardamom tea, you’ll need to
- 2 quarts filtered water
- One teaspoon of ground cardamom (you can also use whole pods and grind them in a mortar and pestle).
- 1 teaspoon of your favorite loose-leaf tea (I like to use black tea).
- Milk or half 'n' half
- Sugar or sweetener of choice
In a small saucepan, boil water over medium-high heat. Add cardamom and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain out the cardamom seeds. Stir in the tea and steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like it. Strain the tea into your favorite mug and add milk or cream to taste. Sweeten with sugar or honey if desired. Enjoy!
What Does Cardamom Taste Like?
Cardamom is a spice that you may not be very familiar with if you haven't made Indian food or Scandinavian pastries. It's one of those spices that can make a dish but also easily overpower it, so it's important to use it sparingly.
Cardamom comes in two basic types: green and black. Cardamom, although related to ginger, has a strong lemony flavor with hints of mint and a peppery note. Both varieties have their uses, but they're not interchangeable.
Black cardamom (also known as kali elaichi) is best used in savory dishes such as meat curries and pilafs. It has a smoky flavor reminiscent of peaty Scotch whisky. It's the main ingredient in garam masala, the most common spice blend in Indian cuisine, which also includes cinnamon, cumin, cloves, mace, and nutmeg.
Green cardamom (elaichi) is more commonly sold than black cardamom. It's typically used in desserts such as kulfi (Indian ice cream), custards, and rice puddings. Cardamom is often found in Swedish Christmas cookies and cakes such as Kardemummabullar, which are sweet.
Conclusion
Thus, in conclusion, it seems that regular consumption of cardamom is probably very healthy. It has some serious advantages for your health. In order to avoid side effects, you need to know how much cardamom you are allowed to consume and if there are specific contraindications. If used correctly, you can certainly enjoy all the benefits without suffering any negative consequences. Always take medical help if you have any doubt about whether to use it or not.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article should not be considered as a substitute for a physician's advice. Please consult with your health care professional before buying this product.
