Elettaria cardamomum (Cardamom)

Question 1

How do you recognize Cardamom?

Answer 1

A perennial herbaceous plant up to several metres tall. The low-growing peduncles (flower stems) are separate to the leaves.

Originally from S. Asia, now grown across Asia, in parts of Africa, and largest crop is from Guatemala.

Black cardamom from Nepal is Amomum subulatum from a different genus within the Zingiberaceae

Question 2

What are Cardamom’s main constituents?

Answer 2

• Essential oil including ⍶-terpinyl acetate, cineole and sabinene (contribute to antibacterial effects)
• Flavonoids including catechin, myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol (antiinflammatory).
• Traces of minerals, notably manganese (may contribute to antiinflammatory actions and effects on nervous system)
• Carotene (in pod).
• ⍺-tocopherol.
• Various saturated and unsaturated fatty acids including oleic, palmitic and linoleic acids. * Mucilage (soothing to GIT).

Question 3

What family is Cardamom in?

Answer 3

Cardamom is a member of the Zingiberaceae family.

Question 4

What is Cardamom good for?

Answer 4

Summary: Cardamom is good for digestive health, anti-inflammatory effects, breath freshening, and may help with conditions like gastritis, IBS, and asthma.

Actions:
* Aromatic tonic for digestive system
* Carminative
* Anti-inflammatory.
* Anti-emetic
* Expectorant.
* Anti-bacterial
* Mood lifting.
* Anti-allergenic.
* Muscle relaxant.
* Anti-oxidant.

Applications:
* Gastritis – acute and chronic.
* IBS especially for flatulence, pain and distension.
* Dysbiosis and SIBO.
* Breath freshener – antibacterial against some oral pathogens and cavity forming bacteria.
* Anorexia.
* Convalescence after illness.
* May help in depression.
* Asthma - anti-allergenic expectorant and muscle relaxing properties all helpful.
* In Ayurveda used as an anti-inflammatory for muscles, and for joint pain.
* Modern research is investigating hepatoprotective actions and applications to treating cancer and metabolic syndrome.

Question 5

What is Cardamom’s Latin name?

Answer 5

The Latin name for Cardamom is Elettaria cardamomum.

Question 6

What parts of Cardamom do you use?

Answer 6

You can use either the whole fruit or just the seeds.

Question 7

What safety issues might Cardamom have?

Answer 7

Cardamom is generally considered a safe herb with no significant safety issues.

Question 8

What useful research does Cardamom have?

Answer 8

Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of cardamom[Elettariacardamomum(L.) Maton] – A critical review. from the Journal of Ethnopharmacology

A list of links to research on Elettaria at EarthtoKathy.com