Urinary Tract Infections

Do you know the sweet smelling and flavour full cardamom presents us with several health benefits. Cardamom helps to treat constipation, asthma, controls stress, controls hypertension, cures urinary tract infections and many more.

Cardamom is a spice that comes from seeds of various plants from the zingiberaceae family. Scientific name of green cardamom is Elettaria cardamomum. Cardamom is native to India. Today they are available in many places like China, Bhutan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Korea, and Japan. Cardamom is considered as one of the oldest spices of world. Cardamom is called as the queen of spices and it is one of the most expensive spices in the world. Cardamom when not stored properly loses its aroma. There are two types of cardamoms available, they are green cardamom and black cardamom.

Green cardamom– Its scientific name is elettaria cardamomum, it has a green shell and small black seeds inside. It is also called true cardamom.
Black cardamom– it is also called as brown cardamom, hill cardamom, Bengal cardamom and Nepal cardamom. Its scientific name is Amomum subulatum. It has a smoky character derived from drying.
Cardamoms in India are also known as choti elaichi, elaichi in hindi and yalakulu in telugu. Cardamom is commonly used in Indian cooking, it has a strong, unique sweet and spicy taste, with an aromatic, resinous fragrance. Green and black cardamom both are widely used in sweets, savory dishes, spice mixes, in masala curries, beverages, baking sweets, bread, wine and garnishing. Cardamoms are also used in beauty products like perfumes, soaps, body wash and powders.

Usage of Elaichi and Nutrition Facts :

Elaichi or cardamom are widely used in Indian cooking, they give aroma, taste, and flavour to the dishes. They are also used in sweets, garam masala powder, beverages and baking. Elaichi can be used in the form of whole and powdered form. Elaichi’s are also used in perfumes due to their aroma. Along with cardamom, Cardamom oil is also used in remedies, it has healing properties.
Nutrition facts– cardamom contains vitamins, minerals and micronutrients that are useful for health. It contains vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin and riboflavin. Cardamoms are rich in minerals like calcium, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium and manganese. Cardamom is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and is good source of dietary fibre. Elaichi also have antiseptic, antioxidant and stimulant properties.

Health Benefits of Cardamom :

Cardamom offers a number of health benefits like
Improves digestion– Elaichi helps speed up the process of digestion as it is carminative in nature; it reduces inflammation, relieves acidity, nausea and improves appetite.
Detoxification– Our body release toxins in the process of metabolism, cardamom is a great purifier and removes toxins and waste through kidneys.
Beats bad breath– Strong flavour, pleasant smell of cardamom helps to beat bad breath by killing germs that cause bad breath.
Controls heart rate– Elaichi are packed with vitamin, minerals that are good for our heart. Potassium in elaichi helps to treat and control BP.
Cold and flu– Elaichi contain vitamin C which improve immunity and treats cold and flu.
Some other health benefits of cardamom are it has anti inflammatory, anti asthmatic properties, treats depression, treats sore throat. Good for skin in many ways like it improves complexion, sooths, clears and treats allergies.

Women’s health refers to overall health of women. Health of women differs from men in many ways due to unique biological, social and behavioural conditions; some health issues in women include infertility, PCOS, urinary tract infections, menopause, and conditions of the female organs. Women’s health represents population health as the health of families and communities are tied to the health of women. Women plays different roles in her life – as a mother, as a sister, as a wife, as a friend and as a daughter. Women are busy taking care of everyone in the family and their wellbeing and health are neglected and are more likely to get health issues due to stress. Women’s life stages depend on the reproductive cycle, beginning with menstruation and ending with menopause.

Some common health problems women faces are :

Heart diseases
Cancer
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Osteoporosis
Depression
Endometriosis
Uterine fibroids
Interstitial cystitis
Thyroid

Health tips for Heart :

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. Heart attack symptoms may be different for women. The most common cause of heart disease is

Coronary artery disease.
Broken heart syndrome.

Women now days are more educated, have high career goals and high profile jobs but what they ignore the most is their health and suffers health problems. By following some health tips women can help to avoid heart attack or stroke and live healthy heart lifestyle.

Control cholesterol– Eating foods low in Tran’s fat, saturated fat, low fat dairy products and cholesterol.
Controlling blood pressure– By reducing the level of salt intake we can avoid high blood pressure.
Quit smoking– Smoking is a major risk factor of heart diseases.
Exercise– Exercise helps to maintain healthy weight, control and lowers cholesterol called triglycerides.
Healthy diet and controlling stress levels also helps reduce the risk.
Food that helps to keep our heart healthy is salmon fish, dark chocolate, walnut, garlic, olive oil, apples, oatmeal and beans.

Health tips for Body :

When women cross the age of 30 years they face problems like depression, anxiety, anemia, weight gain and weakness. By following some natural health tips women can not only maintain their good health but also their good looks.

Regular health checkups
Regular exercise
Avoiding/controlling stress
Sufficient sleep
Maintain healthy weight
Intake of calcium and iron rich food
Healthy diet
Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables

What should be included in diet for women’s health :

Eating a balanced, nutritious diet is very important for women. Women have different daily nutritional requirements when compared to men. Below are some important diet tips for women

Eating nutrient rich food (whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy products)
Iron rich food (red meat, chicken, fish, spinach, lentils, beans)
Boost Calcium intake for healthy and strong bones
Folic acid during reproductive years (citrus fruits, leafy greens, peas and beans)

Women need low calories than men, but our requirements for certain vitamins and minerals are much higher.