Cardamom

Eletteria cardamomum

Cardamom is one of the oldest spices in the world and was used extensively in ancient Egypt to make perfumes. Its medicinal uses, however, are less well known. Cardamom has been employed in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years and is an excellent remedy for many digestive problems, helping to soothe indigestion and gas. Cardamom has an aromatic, pungent taste and combines well with other herbs.

Other names

• Bastard Cardamom
• Cardamom Seeds
• Cardamon
• Ela
• Elaci
• Malabar Cardamom
• Sha-ren

Parts used

Seeds

Uses

Ancient herb - Cardamom has been highly valued both as a spice and a medicine and was known in Greece in the 4th century BC.
Digestive problems - Throughout history, cardamom has been used for the relief of digestive problems, especially indigestion, gas, and cramps. Cardamom has a pleasant taste and is often used in digestive remedies, its delicate flavor helping to counteract the taste of less palatable herbs.
Current Indian uses - Cardamom is used in India for many conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, kidney stones, anorexia, debility, and weakened vata.
Chinese remedy - In China, cardamom is taken for urinary incontinence and as a tonic.
Bad breath - Cardamom is an effective treatment for bad breath, and when taken with garlic helps to reduce garlic's strong smell.
Aphrodisiac - Cardamom has a long-lasting reputation as an aphrodisiac.

Habitat & cultivation

Cardamom is native to southern India and Sri Lanka, where it grows abundantly in forests at 2,500-5,000 ft (800-1,500 m) above sea level. Cardamom is also widely cultivated in India; southern Asia, Indonesia, and Guatemala. Cardamom is propagated from seed in autumn or by root division in spring and summer, and needs a shady position and rich and moist but well drained soil. The seedpods of cardamom are harvested just before they start to open in dry weather during the autumn and are dried whole in the sun.

Research

Research in the 1960s showed that the volatile oil has a strong antispasmodic action, confirming cardamom's effectiveness in relieving gas and treating colic and cramps.

Constituents

Cardamom contains volatile oil (borneol, camphor, pinene, humulene, caryophyllene, carvone, eucalyptole, terpinene, sabinene)

How much to take

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoonful of the freshly crushed seeds and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. If treating flatulence or loss of appetite, drink half an hour before meals.

Collection & harvesting

The seeds of cardamom are mainly obtained from commercial plants in Sri Lanka or Southern India where the crop is gathered between October and December.

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