CARDAMOM: Super Spices for Spring

Green Cardamom:

Cardamom, also known as Elaichi in Sanskrit, is regarded as the queen of spices and contains cineole, its active antioxidant compound. Cardamom stimulates agni without aggravating pitta and clears excess kapha from the stomach. It is also helpful in clearing cough associated with mucous.

Cardamom refreshes the breath; is excellent to soothe sore throats and eases sinus infections. It has a delicately pleasant aroma and flavor and can be enjoyed in sweet and savory dishes.

Spring Time Use:

Cardamom is an excellent antidote to the mucous generating quality of dairy products. Add to warm milk, tea and other dairy products. Add ground cardamom when making rice or simply sprinkle it over your fruit salad.

Cardamom is a great spice to bake as well. Try adding cardamom to cookies, cupcakes and fruit desserts in spring season to brighten up the flavor of your baked goods.

Complimenting food with spices allows us to take full advantage of nature’s best form of healing intelligence. We know that spices are used for culinary flavor enhancement, but in Ayurveda, spices play a critical role in promoting health and overall digestion.

These five super spices are excellent when used daily during spring to counterbalance the kapha qualities and help boost overall immune health all season long.

TURMERIC Spice health benefits

Turmeric is referred by many names in the Sanskrit language. The most common Sanskrit name is Haridra meaning “the yellow one". Another Sanskrit name for turmeric is Kanchani meaning the yellow goddess.

Turmeric, often referred to as yellow gold, is the leading crusader against disease. Curcumin, its active ingredient, has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and shown to protect every single organ in the body. It is pungent, bitter and astringent in taste, dry and light in quality and has a heating potency. Because it is pungent and warming, it pacifies the vata and kapha doshas.

Turmeric remains the center of my spice box due it's rich offerings.

Spring Time Use:

You can add ½ -1 tsp of ground turmeric powder daily in soups, dals, casseroles, stir fry vegetables, salad dressings and dips. Add ½ tsp of ground turmeric powder along with a teaspoon of honey to a cup of warm water to soothe a sore throat or cold. End your day with a cup of golden milk (Add ½ tsp turmeric powder + ¼ tsp black pepper + ¼ tsp nutmeg to a 1 cup of warm dairy or nondairy milk) to boost your immune health in spring time.

You can also currently order a fresh batch of beSPICED's "Fresh Turmeric Root & Carrot Relish" while supplies last.. This divine relish can be enjoyed in literally every meal to give that 'WOW' factor and perfectly balance your meal's tastes while of course supplying your daily turmeric fix. 

Please note beSPICED's products are available for pick-ups and delivery within the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex at this time. 

Contact Sapna to place your order today!

Click here to read about BLACK PEPPER the 2nd Super Spice for Spring!

To learn more about this Blog Series and why spices and seasons are an integral part of cooking and health according to Ayurveda visit our first blog post on Super Spices for Spring.

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