{"id":2598,"date":"2020-09-11T09:28:12","date_gmt":"2020-09-11T08:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=2598"},"modified":"2025-04-09T16:48:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T15:48:11","slug":"cardamom","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/cardamom\/","title":{"rendered":"Cardamom"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":13456,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"fe914c68-d46b-40cf-bd11-36d935645401","beyondwords_preview_token":"60523d19-12c9-44c2-88ca-69a94e8265d2","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[83,268,42,70,46,43,12],"conditions":[685,696,695,697],"sustainability":[1576],"sense":[17,16],"western_action":[1008,992,993,994,1003,1007,1010,1012,1020,1021],"chinese_action":[1042,1043],"ayurvedic_action":[1059,1109,1095,1105,1069],"energetics_action":[1510,1508,1557,1622,1533,1614,1487,1546,1554,1543,1619,1560,1552,1551,1556,1497,1490,1618,1522,1529,1536,1550,1504,1380],"region":[1897],"class_list":["post-2598","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-aromatic","tag-cardamom","tag-digestion","tag-essential-oil","tag-hot","tag-indigestion","tag-respiratory","conditions-digestive-system","conditions-nervous-system","conditions-respiratory-system","conditions-urinary-system","sustainability-green-sustainability-status","sense-aromatic","sense-hot","western_action-diuretic","western_action-anti-inflammatory","western_action-antimicrobial","western_action-antioxidant","western_action-carminatives","western_action-diaphoretic","western_action-expectorant","western_action-galactagogue","western_action-stimulant","western_action-stomachic","chinese_action-aromatically-transform-damp","chinese_action-regulate-the-qi","ayurvedic_action-anuloma","ayurvedic_action-vajikarana","ayurvedic_action-shirovirechan","ayurvedic_action-swasahara","ayurvedic_action-chhardi-nigrahana","energetics_action-acrid","energetics_action-aromatic-temperature-chinese","energetics_action-blood","energetics_action-circulatory","energetics_action-cooling","energetics_action-digestive","energetics_action-dry","energetics_action-dry-quality","energetics_action-kapha-constitution-dosha","energetics_action-light","energetics_action-nervous-channel-srotas","energetics_action-nervous","energetics_action-pitta-constitution-dosha","energetics_action-pitta","energetics_action-plasma","energetics_action-pungent","energetics_action-relaxing","energetics_action-respiratory","energetics_action-spleen","energetics_action-stomach","energetics_action-sweet-post-digestive-effect-vipaka","energetics_action-vata-constitution-dosha","energetics_action-warm-temperature-chinese","energetics_action-warm","region-ayurvedic-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20200911","herb_author":null,"banner_text":"Cardamom seeds are a premium digestive aid and mucus reducer","latin_name":"Elettaria cardamomum<\/em>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Zingiberaceae","herb_summary":"Cardamom seed pods are aromatic and filled with soothing, relaxing and anti-spasmodic essential oils.","key_benefits":"Digestive remedy\r\nReduces mucus\r\nRespiratory congestion","how_does_it_feel":"Cardamom is a delight to taste. With a unique and dynamic taste profile of powerful pungent aromatic oils. <\/span>","hdif_image_1":13457,"hdif_image_2":13456,"hdif_image_3":13455,"hdif_video":"","sense":[17,16],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"Cardamom seed pods contain a high level of essential oils which are the component responsible for the majority of this herb\u2019s medicinal properties. These warming and aromatic essential oils clear mucus and calm acid indigestion whilst strengthening a weak digestive system.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe essential oils stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, which helps to promote efficient digestive processes and also shifts stubborn mucous congestion throughout the system. These oils also act as an effective anti-spasmodic, providing relief from intestinal tension and spasms.<\/span>\r\n\r\nCardamom may be used to assist in improved assimilation of digestive nutrients as well as to calm symptoms of indigestion such as borborygmus, bloating, flatulence, colic, intestinal pain and indigestion.<\/span>","into_the_heart_of":"\"\"\r\n\r\nCardamom is renowned for its pungent, aromatic taste and smell. It is the essential oils that create this dynamic aromatic quality and taste which are responsible for the plant\u2019s medicinal capabilities.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nCardamom is pungent and sweet, making it a cooling remedy. It has a post digestive effect and acts to support digestive function and improve the assimilation of digestive nutrients. Energetically cardamom is cool and dry working upon the plasma and blood system (1).<\/span>\r\n\r\nAccording to the Ayurvedic understanding cardamom is very high in sattva and prana, this means that it regulates the vital force or energy in the digestive tract (1).<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt is specific for mucus excesses in the digestive and respiratory tract. The drying action is directed to help clear congestive conditions in these systems.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAromatic compounds are \u2018channel openers\u2019, driving the herbs to where they need to go. Like other aromatic pungent herbs, cardamom is sometimes added to a prescription to support the assimilation of other herbs into the <\/span>digestive system<\/span><\/a>. This assists the medicinal compounds to be absorbed into the system, making them more bioavailable in the tissues where they are most needed.<\/span>","tradtional_uses":"The uses of cardamom have been recorded since the times of Ancient Egypt. It was used as a medicinal ingredient and a mouth freshener, that due to its fibrous nature was believed to also help keep clean the teeth. It was also the prime ingredient for the preparation of oils that were applied in the mummification process.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nSome of the early references to cardamoms medicinal uses are found in Sumer, and in the Ayurvedic literatures of India. Some of the suggested historical uses of this herb are recorded as being used to treat infection and as a digestive aid. Through the early 1800s to today, cardamom is known as the queen of spices. It is said that the Vikings first discovered cardamom during their travels and brought it back to Scandinavia, and thus it was bought to Europe.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe ancient Greeks also thought highly of this spice. The Greek physicians Discorides and Hippocrates wrote about its therapeutic properties in the historical texts, identifying it as a digestive aid.<\/span>","what_practioners_say":"[caption id=\"attachment_13457\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"600\"]\"Cardamom Cardamom flower (Elettaria cardamomum<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n

Digestive system<\/h3>\r\nThis plant's medicinal activity is concentrated within the digestive tract where it will stimulate and support an efficient digestive metabolism. Its stimulating effect upon digestive enzymes and juices means that it helps to balance out excess acidity. Its pungency and stimulating nature help to relieve digestive tension and shift stubborn congestion.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThese actions also extend to the <\/span>respiratory system<\/span> where it can help clear mucous congestion in the lungs. The essential oils are particularly strengthening and tonifying to mucous membranes throughout the body, but specifically the <\/span>digestive<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>respiratory<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>urinary system<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nCardamom is specific for a weak digestion and symptoms such as borborygmus, bloating, flatulence, colic, intestinal pain and indigestion. Cardamom stimulates the digestive fire,\u00a0agni,\u00a0improving absorption capabilities within the gut. Its pungent and clearing nature also indicates this herb in nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, burping and acidity.<\/span>\r\n

Respiratory system<\/h3>\r\nCardamom is indicated in coughs characterised by excess mucus and asthma with wheezing. It is good for sore throats and freshens the breath.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Urinary system<\/h3>\r\nCardamom is recommended for painful, burning urination.<\/span>","research":"[caption id=\"attachment_13456\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"600\"]\"Cardamom Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIn a review of scientific studies carried out to investigate the therapeutic effects of cardamom it is clear that much of the focus of research on the plant has been on its dynamic essential oil content. The review discusses the effects of capsules made with cardamom essential oils and concludes that much of the research on the compounds found within cardamom essential oil have therapeutic benefits including antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral and gastroprotective activities (4).<\/span>\r\n<\/b>\r\n

Metabolism<\/h3>\r\nA study designed to determine the effect of cardamom on serum lipids, glycemic index, and blood pressure in pre-diabetic women was carried out using eighty overweight or obese pre-diabetic subjects over a period of two months. The subjects were randomly allocated into two groups. One group received 3g of green cardamom and the placebo group received 3g of rusk powder.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nSeveral factors were measured before and after intervention. The results showed that the <\/span>total cholesterol and low-density-lipoprotein levels significantly decreased and insulin sensitivity increased in the cardamom group. However, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glycemic index, and serum lipids values were the same in the cardamom group when compared to the placebo group (2).<\/span>\r\n\r\nA systematic review was carried out to analyse the effects of cardamom on blood pressure and inflammatory markers among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders. The review analysed 625 clinical trials of which eight reports with a total of 595 patients (299 in intervention group and 296 in control group) were included.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe results show a promising outcome for cardamom in improving blood pressure control as well as a clear demonstration of anti-inflammatory effects. The review concludes that cardamom could support patients with unhealthy metabolic profiles in health management. There were few eligible randomised controlled trials with quite a low number of participants. Further prospective studies on larger and more diverse subject groups with a longer duration of treatment are due to fully investigate the therapeutic application of this plant (5).<\/span>\r\n

Immune system<\/h3>\r\nAn in vitro study was carried out using encapsulated cardamom essential oil in chitosan nano-composites. The study was conducted to determine the efficacy on antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens and cytotoxicity. The results demonstrate that cardamom essential oil loaded nano-capsules are highly effective in controlling multi drug resistant E. coli and MRSA in vitro. A promising conclusion given that the study also confirms that there were also no signs of toxicity to human cells (3).<\/span>","did_you_know":"Guatemala is the globe\u2019s largest producer of cardamom in the world, with an annual yield of up to 30,000 tonnes. India is the second largest contributor.","additional_information_right":{"illustration":8427},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"Cardamom is a large perennial herb that thrives in the tropical jungles of southwest India and Sri Lanka. It has large, fleshy roots, not dissimilar to those of the ginger plant. Its leaves are large, long and blade like, growing up to 2 feet in length. Its flowers are small and very beautiful, pale white-yellow in colour with a dark purple lip. The fruits are characteristically triangular in section and a pale green colour. Inside each fruit, there is normally two rows of small seeds. It is the seeds that contain the powerful, aromatic odour and pungent taste.\r\n\r\nThe cardamom plant is native and typically grows in forests up to 5,000 feet above sea level. It flowers in April and May and the fruits are harvested for three months from October. Ayurveda distinguishes two types: sukshmai<\/em> (small) and brihat<\/em> (large). Large is Amomum subulatum<\/em> and has similar properties to Cardamom.","common_names":"