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