14 Best Benefits Of Black Cardamom For Skin, Hair, And Health

This flavorful spice is the key to a healthy body, luscious locks, and glowing skin.

Medically reviewed by Dr Archana Batra, CDE
Written by Tanya Choudhary, B.Desgn, ISSA Certified Specialist In Fitness & Nutrition
Edited by Ravi Teja Tadimalla, BSc, Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition and Health
Fact-checked by Moksha Gandhi, BPharm, Certified Health & Wellness Coach  • 

Cardamom is known as the “queen of spices”, and rightly so! While you must be familiar with the many uses and health benefits of green cardamom, are you aware of the black cardamom benefits as well? If not, let us introduce you to this other larger variety of cardamoms. While green cardamoms are small with thin easily peelable skin, black cardamom pods are usually larger in size with larger seeds and thicker wrinkly skin on the outside! While the smaller green cardamoms are subtle in their taste and flavor, the larger black cardamoms have a more distinct taste and aroma to it! They are mostly associated with culinary use, especially flavor rice preparations and other savory dishes, while green ones are commonly used for desserts! While both varieties of cardamom are popular in various cuisines, it is the black cardamom that finds usage in the health and beauty industry as well! The oil extracted from the black cardamoms is effective in aromatherapy and curing various other ailments as well! To get a detailed idea about the many black cardamom benefits, we have summed it all up for you! Read on to know more!

protip_icon Know Your Ingredient: Black Cardamom

What Is It?
It is the seed grown from a plant in the ginger family, popular for its spicy taste and aroma.

What Are Its Benefits?
Improves gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health, reduces chronic constipation, protects from heat strokes, helps manage respiratory disorders, and may reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Who Can Consume It?
If used for flavoring food, it is safe for most people.

How Often?
You can consume up to 3 gms of black cardamom daily.

Caution
May cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypertension, increased heart rate, and interact with blood thinning and liver medications. Those with gallstones should avoid it.

Benefits Of Black Cardamom For Health

Many of us still don’t have any idea about how black cardamom helps us in maintaining our health. The spice has a number of medicinal benefits, and we must learn about them in order to make use of it as a natural remedy.

1. Gastro-Intestinal Health

Black cardamom may have a positive impact on the gastrointestinal tract (1). It can stimulate the gastric and intestinal glands to secret essential juices with the help of its stimulative properties. It also helps in regulating the procedure of juice secretion in order to keep the amount of stomach acids under control. As a result, the chances of developing gastric ulcers or other digestive disorders go down significantly. The spice is also helpful in curing heartburn and stomach cramps, which are the two most common symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders. Digestive properties of the substance are also very important to heal chronic constipation and improve appetite. In addition, being carminative in nature, black cardamom can give you relief from abdominal gas. It helps you get rid of indigestion as well as flatulence caused by it.

2. Cardiovascular Health

Black cardamom also influences cardiac health to a great extent (2). Controlling cardiac rhythm is one of its most important benefits, which eventually keeps your blood pressure under check. Your heart health remains stable with regular intake of black cardamom. It reduces the probability of a blood clot. This spice is also very effective in protecting you from heatstroke or sunstroke during scorching summer.

Black cardamom for cardiovascular health
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3. Respiratory Health

If you are suffering from serious respiratory troubles, black cardamom can be a great antidote for you. A number of respiratory disorders including asthma, whooping coughi  XA severe, highly contagious respiratory tract infection characterized by a cough that resembles a 'whoop' sound. , lung congestions, bronchitisi  XInflammation of the bronchial lining (the tube that transports air to the lungs), causing cough, congestion and breathing difficulty. , pulmonary tuberculosisi  XA severe, potentially fatal bacterial lung infection characterized by severe coughing, chest pain, and breathlessness. , etc. may be treated with this spice (3), (4). It warms up your respiratory tract so that the air circulation through the lungs becomes easier. Moreover, black cardamom works as an expectorant and helps you stay away from cough, cold, sore throat etc. by normalizing the flow of mucous through the respiratory tract..

4. Oral Health

Several dental disorders, such as teeth infection, gum infection, etc. can be treated with black cardamom (5). Furthermore, its strong aroma can help in curing halitosis or bad breath.

protip_icon Quick Tip
You may gargle with black cardamom-infused warm water to prevent bad breath and maintain oral hygiene.

5. Urinary Health

Being an effective diuretic, black cardamoms can facilitate urination and keep your renal system healthy. Black cardamom inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause urinary infection (4).

6. Anti-Carcinogenic Properties

There are two antioxidants named 3’-Diindolylmethane (DIM) and Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C) in black cardamom (6), which may help control breast, colon, prostate, and ovarian cancer. The anti-carcinogenic properties of the spice also raise the amount of glutathione (an antioxidant) in the body and prevent the generation and growth of cancerous cells.

Anti-carcinogenic properties of black cardamom may prevent breast cancer
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7. Detoxification

Studies have revealed that black cardamom can make a positive impact on the detoxification process in the body (7). It may eliminate caffeine from the blood so that you can stay safe from the adverse effects of the alkaloid. It might also help you with your weight loss.

8. Anesthetic Properties

The essential oil extracted from black cardamom is highly anesthetic and sedative. It may curb acute pain like headaches and provide immediate relief. The essential oil prepared from the spice helps in fatigue and stress relief, which may ensure a stable and relaxed mental health.

9. Antiseptic and Antibacterial Properties

It has been seen that black cardamom may destroy microbes of almost 14 different species. Hence, the intake black cardamom boosts immunity and provides you protection against bacterial or viral infections (4).

protip_icon Trivia
In Chinese traditional medicine, black cardamom is used for treating dysentery and other stomach disorders.
Black cardamom has antibacterial properties
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Benefits Of Black Cardamom For Skin

Woman happy about her clear skin
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You can take great care of your skin by using black cardamom both externally and internally. To know how this small spice can enhance your look, go through the following section:

10. Black cardamom is one of the herbal remedies that are full of the antioxidants, vitamin C and the essential mineral potassium (8). Hence, regular consumption of the spice can keep your internal system free from toxic materials, thereby improving blood circulation throughout the skin surface and keeping it healthy. So, if you want to get a firm, toned, and youthful look, start consuming black cardamom regularly.

11. Black cardamom may keep aging at bay. It may also help you get a fairer skin complexion.

12. Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, black cardamom may be one of the best natural remedies for ‘contact dermatitis’ or skin allergy.

Benefits Of Black Cardamom For Hair

Antioxidant properties of black cardamom make hair healthy
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Whether you use black cardamom in cooking or use the cardamom oil topically, you can benefit your hair in both ways. Know more about the benefits of black cardamom for hair:

13. Black cardamom possess antioxidant properties (9). This property of black cardamom may help in providing nourishment to your scalp and hair strands. As a result, you get strong, thick, and shiny tresses.

14. Black cardamom is antiseptic and antibacterial by nature (4), its consumption is also good for preventing irritation and infection on the scalp.

Black cardamom offers an array of benefits. Know how it can be compared with green cardamom in the section below.

Black Cardamom Vs. Green Cardamom

AttributeBlack CardamomGreen Cardamom
AppearanceDark brown, wrinkled pods.Bright green, small pods.
FlavorSmoky, earthy, and slightly sweet.Sweet, floral, and aromatic.
AromaDeep, smoky, and peppery fragrance.Fresh, sweet, and minty scent.
Pod ShapeLarger, oval-shaped pods.Smaller, elongated pods.
Heat ResistanceMore heat-tolerant, suitable for prolonged cooking.Delicate and best added toward the end of cooking.
StorageLonger shelf life due to the drying process.Best when used fresh or in whole form for better flavor.
Health BenefitsMay aid digestion and provide respiratory relief.Known for digestive and anti-inflammatory properties.

Green cardamon is quite expensive compared to the black one, which is more readily available. You may choose any of them as per your needs and taste.

Infographic: How Black Cardamom Can Improve Your Skin, Hair & Health

While the green cardamom is quite popular for the unique flavor it lends to various sweets and savories, many are unaware of the therapeutic benefits of the black cardamom. Rich in antioxidants and essential minerals, adding this spice to your daily diet can bring about miraculous changes in your skin, hair and overall health and wellness. Check out the infographic below for more details.

7 ways black cardamom benefits your skin, hair & health (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Many cuisines use black cardamom to flavor their rice and other savory dishes, especially in Indian cuisine. This spice is rich in phytonutrients that help promote overall health. Black cardamom helps promote gut, heart,oral health, and may help control diabetes and cholesterol. In addition, it has antiseptic, anesthetic, and anticancer properties. Black cardamom may also show great imapact on your cognitive function, if included in a regular diet. It also promotes healthy hair and skin. Furthermore, it is packed with antioxidants that help nourish the scalp and hair and delay early aging signs. So many health benefits make black cardamom one of the ingredients heavily used in Ayurveda. Nevertheless, excessive consumption may have side effects. If you experience any adverse effects, limit its use and seek medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is black cardamom tea good for you?

Yes, black cardamom tea benefits you in multiple ways. It can improve cardiovascular health, digestion, and appetite if included in the diet.

Can I chew black cardamom?

Yes, black cardamom is safe to chew. It helps manage bad breath and bleeding gums and promotes oral health.

Is cardamom good for males?

Yes, cardamom is good for males. Consumption of cardamom increases sexual drive in men.

Does cardamom heat the body or cool it down?

Cardamom exhibits body cooling effects despite being a spice.

Is cardamom good for eyesight?

Yes, cardamom may improve eyesight when taken with honey.

Does cardamom increase estrogen?

No, cardamom cannot increase estrogen levels.

Key Takeaways

  • Black cardamom’s antiseptic and antibacterial properties boost immunity and help shield you from infections.
  • Eating it can help improve the health of your gastrointestinal tract, thus promoting digestion and reducing issues like abdominal gas and chronic constipation.
  • It can also encourage cardiovascular health and may possess anticancer properties that can help control breast, colon, prostate, and ovarian cancers.
  • Black cardamom can be a good antidote for respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis.
  • The antioxidants in black cardamom can boost blood circulation and aid your skin and hair health.
black cardamom benefits

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team


Discover the top 10 facts about black cardamom, one of the world’s most expensive spices. Check out this video to know about its amazing benefits for your health.

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Green and Black Cardamom in a Diet-Induced Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4586555/
  2. Cardamom powder supplementation prevents obesity improves glucose intolerance inflammation and oxidative stress in liver of high carbohydrate high fat diet induced obese rats
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5557534/#:~:text=In%20folkloric%20medicine%2C%20cardamom%20is
  3. Pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of cardamom inasthma
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269560739_Pharmacological_basis_for_the_medicinal_use_of_cardamom_in_asthma
  4. Spicing up Health Large Cardamom
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347559038_Spicing_up_Health_Large_Cardamom
  5. Cardamom comfort
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC3353705/
  6. Chemopreventive properties of indole-3-carbinol diindolylmethane and other constituents of cardamom against carcinogenesis
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20653562/
  7. Herbs and Spices in Cancer Prevention and Treatment
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92774/
  8. CARDAMOM
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349426875_CARDAMOM
  9. Cardamom powder supplementation prevents obesity improves glucose intolerance inflammation and oxidative stress in liver of high carbohydrate high fat diet induced obese rats
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5557534/#:~:text=In%20folkloric%20medicine%2C%20cardamom%20is
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