Herb of the Day
Cardamom
(Elettaria cardamomum)
Medicinal Uses: Used as a digestive aid, eases gluten intolerance (celiac disease). Sprinkle powder on cereal.
Used for indigestion, nausea, complaints of the lung and bedwetting.
Magickal uses: Cardamom is a feminine herb ruled by the planet Venus. Its associated element is Water. And it is used in love spells. For love bake them into an apple pie, add to sachets and incenses.
Properties: anti-diarrheal, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, antimicrobial, aphrodisiac, astringent, diuretic, settles digestive, helps with flatulence, stimulate saliva, tonic
Growth: Cardamom, popularly, known as Queen of Spices is native to the evergreen rainy forests of Western Ghats in South India. Cardamom is a herbaceous perennial having underground rhizomes. The aerial pseudostem is made of leaf sheaths. Inflorescence is a long panicle with racemes clusters arising from the underground stem, but comes up above the soil. Flowers are bisexual, fragrant, fruit is a trilocular capsule. Flower initiation takes place in March-April and from initiation to full bloom, it takes nearly 30 days and from bloom to maturity, it takes about 5 to 6 months.
Antacid: Here is a delicious recipe to combat heartburn, cramps and other irritations due to acidity: toast and butter a slice of raisin bread; sprinkle with 1 tsp. ground cardamom chew very thoroughly before swallowing.
Aperitif: Make an infusion by infusing the following for 10 minutes in 2 cups of boiling water:
1 tsp.basil
the seeds from one cardamom pod
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. brown sugar
drink one small liqueur glassful two hours before the meal
Source:
Author: Crick
Website: The Whispering Woods
