Cardamom~ queen of spices ~ for CKD

by Robin Rose MD

In my kidney garden, the light shines and health is celebrated!

Elettaria cardamomum is a treasured spice in the ginger family [zingiberaceae] that moonlights as a functional [aka medicinal] food. In this celebration of plant based medicine, I will share the research I found. After this exploration, I started using 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom seed in my tea [which is 1 gram]. Yum.

CKD is an inflammatory condition, and the day to day contributions to relieve this hazard is part of achieving kidney success.

It is the seed pods that are used - the seed oil is used as an anti bacterial and anti fungal [the herb can damage bacterial cell walls].

Cardamom in daily food can protect the organs [Al-Johani 2023]

Cardamom is a known antioxidant, decreasing oxidative stress. In addition, its skills include lowering blood pressure, triglycerides, and lipids. It offers glycemic control --::: in type 2 DM there are reports of decreased HgA1c, insulin, TGs, with enhanced Sirt1 [which enables improved glycemic status and insulin balance]. It assists with gut motility and is GI modulatory. It is a diuretic which aids HTN, and it acts as a sedative to assist with epilepsy management,. Reports that it has anti-obesity qualities show that fat mass is diminished by modulating neural circuits regulating adipose lipolysis and mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. It has been used to diminish side effects of cancer medications as well as decreasing risk of developing cancer. Plus its delicious.

Metabolic syndrome is a target for cardamom: it modulates the obesity, the glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and hypertension, assisting in remediating negative effects of a high fat diet.

Bioactive Compounds of Cardamom

~1,8 cineole* ~nerolidol

~a-terpinyl acetate ~thujene

~sabinene ~pinene

~linalool acetate ~cymene

~geranial ~limonene

~myrcene

~*1,8-cineol plays a dominant role as anti bacterial, antioxidant, anti inflammatory, preventing ROS release, decreasing BP due to NO production regulation - improving cardiac systolic function and vasorelaxation [Heydarian]. It inhibits NFkB phosphorylation and transfer to the nucleus --::: regulating expression of transcription factors NFkB and Nrf2 --::: this aids in reguylatingh the inflammatory response.

The MOA [mechanism of action] includes qcting as a Calcium channel antagonist - this promotes vasodilation via cholineergic activity ---::: this stimulates NO releqase from the endothelium --::: and thiws offers a diuretic benefit.

Cardamom for Kidney [Al-Johani 2023]

The Al-Johani paper explores the renology role of cardamom: modulating proteinuria, lupus nephritis, and diabetic nephropathy,.

Its' wide range of antioxidant actions offers a protective effect, in rodent studies they saw how it resolved gentamicin induced proximal tubule damage, tubular necrosis, and acute kidney injury [AKI]. It protects transporters on the brush border [essential for healthy filtration], thus offering assistance for electrolyte balance [an aspect of CKD that gets derailed with progressive disease]. Mention is made of improved urea and creatinine. Mitigation of fibrosis [with improved renal histology] and IRI injury is an enormously helpful contribution to the fully protective kidney success protocols we choose.

Cardamom prevents lipid peroxidation, plays a role as a free radical scavenger, blocks the COX2 pathway, blocks inducible NOS, and blocks NFkB [very good]

We know that communication in the kidney-liver axis is a constant conversation in the body. And liver damage may also be remediated with cardamom. Renal ischemia/reperfusion [I/R] injury can cause increased liver enzymes, with leukocyte infiltration. and congestion of the liver, leading to liver cell necrosis. Mention was made of protection from Tylenol.

Cardamom & Kidney Stones

Stone formation is inhibited by the diuretic and detox preventative nature of this spice medicine. Cardamom has compounds that inhibit aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals, diminishing size and number.

Cardamom Essential Oil

First things first: don't ingest undiluted essential oil.

Mention is made of kidney benefits due to the components cineole, limonene, terpineol -> their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and diuretic qualities enhance urinary output, eliminating toxins [renal detoxicology is a daily thing] and decreasing stone formation.

It plays an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial role - resisting E. coli and staph aureus.

Its' detox role offers support for enhanced bile flow, with improved digestive health.

STUDIES of CARDAMOM

~In a paper in the Journal of Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, cardamom was shown to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar.

~In a hypertension study published in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics: daily cardamom intake significantly lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure over 12 weeks.

~Kazemi et al.[ published a study [in J. Science Food Ag:97(15)] looking at 80 obese prre-diabetic patients -::: Cardamom 3 grams daily [versus controls] showed significant improvement in risk of chronic disease. This was evidenced by improved hsCRP, IL6, TNFa, total antioxidant capacity, MDA, protein carbon, RBC-SOD, glutathione reductase.

~Heydarian et al. [FoodSci Nutri Oct 2023;12(1): 3-12] offered a review and meta analysis of cardamom for inflammation and BP in adults. They found cardamom to be protective against the effects of a bad lifestyle plus disordered sympathetic and peripheral nervous systems.

~In another study, 3 grams daily for three months resulted in improved stage 1 HTN, systolic and diastolic improvements.

~NAFLD study - 3 grams daily for 12 weeks --::: blood pressure decreased significantly along with inflammation markers

AYURVEDA & CARDAMOM

This is a tri-doshic herb, balancing vata, pitta, and kapha. It has been used to treat urinary disorders, to enhance digestion, and detoxify the body. In India, they have been using cardamom in cooking, in tea, in spice blends [garam masala] and as a supplement.

Historically cardamom has been used for tooth and gum infections, asthma, kidney and digestive disorders, diarrhea, nausea, cataract, and cardiac issues - due to the polyphenols.

Newer uses have included antihypertensive, antithrombotic, anti inflammatory and antioxidation benefits.

Cardamom Nutrition

Briefly, Sachin Pinto at spiceunity.com [6/20/24] shares that cardamom is a source of vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, calcium, potassium, magnesium. More thorough exploration is called for in this regard. There's vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant benefits,.

Of note: be aware - 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom provides 10 mg of oxalate.

Cardamom Supplementation

The benefits noted to decrease inflammatory factors [TNFa, hsCRP, IL-6] and blood pressure can be seen with the synergy of including cardamom in a more complex regimen of good food and botanicals - the symphony of intent. Long term use is appropriate.

Cardamom precautions and side effects

It can cause GI distress or allergic reactions [personalize each case!}. Interaction with anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs is worthy to be aware of. The mild diuretic effect suggests that monitoring of electrolytes is wise.

In a spicyorganic.com post, Linda Decann describes cardamom side effects for women: topical use caused erythema, inflammation, and irritation. Of note more than 1 gram daily may lead to flatulence and potentially diarrhea and dehydration in some. High dose was associated with nausea and dizziness. Noted that 2 grams daily was generally side effect free.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardamom is a renology friend - medical food - food is medicine - functional food, with antioxidant support and a tasty inviting flavor. I have just planted 4 plants and await the beautiful flowers and the seed pods. Meanwhile, using organic ground cardamom seed is a gift to my daily fare. I see that with a bit of caution [that we must always take], it is worthy to include cardamom in a kidney success lifestyle, in tea, in cooking, in baking. Share your insights with me. And enjoy!!