Cardamom Seeds Decort. Whole (Elettaria cardamomum) 1 lb

This is Starwest's nitrogen-flushed double wall silverfoil pack. Decorticated means removed from the outer hull the seed pod. Cardamom is a popular spice worldwide. In Europe it is used in Dutch windmill biscuits and Scandinavian-style cakes and pastries and in the liqueur akvavit. Other uses are: in pickles especially pickled herring; in punches and mulled wines; occasionally with meat poultry and shellfish. It flavours custards and some Russian liqueurs. In India it features in curries is essential in pilaus (rice dishes) and gives character to pulse dishes. Cardamom is often included in Indian sweet dishes and drinks. Cardamom is also chewed like nuts as a breath and tooth cleaner. It is a flavouring for Arab and Turkish coffee. Chinese use powdered cardamom sprinkled on cooked cereal to correct gluten intolerance in children. The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Cardamom for 'Dyspepsia. Average daily dosage: 1.5 g of drug; equivalent preparations. Tincture (according to Erg. B. 6): Daily dosage: 1 - 2 g. Mode of Administration: Ground seeds as well as galenical preparations thereof for internal use. Actions: Cholagogue; Virustatic.' Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'The seeds are helpful in indigestion and flatulence giving a grateful but not fiery warmth. When chewed singly in the mouth the flavour is not unpleasant and they are said to be good for colic and disorders of the head. In flavouring they are combined with oils of Orange Cinnamon Cloves and Caraway.' King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Cardamom seeds are very warm grateful pungent and aromatic and form an agreeable addition to bitter infusions and other medicinal compounds. They are chiefly employed as a carminative in flatulency and to flavor syrups tinctures etc. Dose of the powder from 10 grains to 2 drachms; infusion (bruised seeds j to boiling water Oss) a wineglassful. As the powder rapidly loses its aromatic property the seeds should be pulverized from time to time as they are required for present employment.' Eclectic Materia Medica 1922 (Felter): 'Carminative. All preparations are useful in flatulent colic and to flavor tinctures syrups and other medicines particularly alkaline mixtures the compound tincture imparting to these an agreeable taste and color.' British Pharmaceutical Codex 1911: 'Powdered cardamom seeds on account of their carminative properties are administered with purgatives as in Extractum Colocynthidis Compositum and with other aromatics as in Pulvis Cinnamomi Compositus and Pulvis Cretae Aromaticus. Tinctura Cardamomi Composita is the most commonly used cordial and flavouring agent. Combined with cinnamon cloves caraway and ginger cardamom seeds are also contained in Tinctura Carminativa a more aromatic preparation than the compound tincture of cardamoms.'