Cardamom is an herb of several plants in the ginger family. The pod is ground into the spice cardamom. People have used cardamom for centuries both for medicine and in cooking. Cardamom Tea recipe The pods contain a number of seeds, but the entire cardamom pod can be used whole or ground. The seeds are small and black, while the pods differ in color and size by species. Some people compare the taste to mint. Cardamom essential oil has many therapeutic properties and found application in many traditional medicines as antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and tonic. Cardamom is a good source of minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. 100 g pods contain 1119 mg of this electrolyte. Cardamom may have antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It may help in protecting your heart from elevated cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. It may also help manage diabetes and lower liver toxicity. It can even be used as a carminative for digestive problems as well. Additional nutrient benefits. Metaphysical properties: Feminine. Venus. Water. Love. Add ground seeds to warmed wine as an aphrodisiac. Bake in apple pies and add to sachets and incenses to induce love. Carnation (Dianthus carophyllus) aka jove's flower, gillies, gilliflower, sops-in-wine Masculine. Sun. Fire. Protection, Strength, Healing.