Cardamom (Elaichi): Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Introduction:

Seeds obtained from the plant Elettaria cardamomum of the family Zingiberaceae are a source of small cardamom or green cardamom. It is also called genuine or true cardamom and is locally known as ‘elaichi’.^1,2 Cardamom plantations are commercially done in south India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and Central America.¹Due to its pleasant aroma and flavouring versatility, cardamom is known as the ‘queen of spices and is used in many foods and beverages. It may have several applications as a traditional regional home remedy.¹ It is one of the world’s most expensive and highly prized spices, ranking third after saffron and vanilla.²

Chemical Components of Cardamom:

A report by Savan et al., 2013 states that cardamom comprises 67 compounds representing 96.9% of the cardamom oil.

• 1,8-cineole: 25.6%
• Linalool: 6.3%
• α terpinyl acetate: 40.7%

Also Read: Saffron: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Properties of Cardamom:

As per the Indian Ayurvedic system, it has been used to reduce fat deposition in the body and manage skin and urinary problems. Other beneficial properties of the seeds of cardamom are as follows:³

• It may have carminative properties (to relieve flatulence)
• It may have digestive and stomachic properties (an increased appetite or assisting digestion)
• It may act as a desiccant (to dehydrate)
• It may have anti-emetic action (stops vomiting)
• It may benefit heart health
• It may have anti-asthmatic properties
• It may have anti-bronchitis activity
• It may have anti-halitosis activity (may decrease bad breath).³

Animal studies have shown the following properties of cardamom:

• It may have antioxidant activity
• It may have high blood pressure, lowering activity
• It may benefit stomach health.
• It may have anti-spasmodic action (may relieve spasms)
• It may have antibacterial activity
• It may have antiplatelet aggregation activity (may act against abnormal blood clotting)
• It may have anticancer activity.³

Did you know that cardamom is a dental marvel? Yes, researchers believe that cardamom might have anti-bacterial properties, and hence its extracts might fight five known bacteria that cause dental caries.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Also Read: Black Cardamom: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Potential Uses of Cardamom:

Studies may show the benefits of cardamom in various ailments; however, these are insufficient and require more human studies. Some of the potential uses of cardamom are described as follows.

1. Potential Uses of Cardamom for the Stomach

According to a report by Sharma et al., 2011,  cardamom extract was studied for its stomach-benefiting activity. It was found that the extract inhibited lesions in an animal model (a region in an organ or tissue that has suffered damage through injury or disease) caused due to the gastric ulcer by nearly 100%.² However, this study was conducted on animals, not humans. Therefore, we require more human studies to suggest the benefits of cardamom in managing stomach ulcers.

2. Potential Uses of Cardamom for High Blood Pressure

According to studies, powdered cardamom was found to significantly decrease diastolic blood pressure (blood pressure when the heart muscles relax). It may also enhance fibrinolysis (the natural body process of preventing clot formation by the breakdown of clots) and antioxidant status without drastically changing fibrinogen levels and blood lipids in patients having high blood pressure.² However, this information is insufficient, and we require large-scale human trials to provide the benefits of cardamom in humans. Hypertension or high blood pressure is a serious health problem; hence, a proper diagnosis and treatment are needed.

3. Potential Uses of Cardamom for Inflammation and Spasms

Cardamom (Elaichi) seeds may exhibit anti-inflammatory and spasm-relieving properties.

Anti-inflammatory activity: The oil extract of cardamom was studied for its action on rat paw oedema, and a reduction in inflammation was observed.²

Anti-spasmodic activity: According to laboratory studies, cardamom relieved spasms in animal models.² However, this information is insufficient for humans as these studies are done on animals. Thus, more studies on humans are required to back this claim. Therefore, it is essential to first speak to your doctors and only use it if prescribed.

4. Potential Uses of Cardamom for Oxidative Stress

Cardamom oil may act as a natural antioxidant in the body.² Different animal studies give evidence and indicate that cardamom administration may enhance antioxidant defences and inflammatory markers levels. This might suggest the ability of cardamom to suppress oxidative stress and inflammatory processes.¹ However, more studies on humans are required to suggest the positive effect of cardamom oil in managing human oxidative stress.

5. Potential Uses of Cardamom for Blood

Studies on cardamom were conducted to analyse inhibitory activity on human platelets. It was found that cardamom may enhance fibrinolysis activity as well as the blood’s antioxidant status. ^2,3 However, this data is insufficient and requires more research on humans to provide complete knowledge of cardamom involvement in fibrinolysis.

6. Potential Uses of Cardamom as a Sedative and Anticonvulsant

An Ayurvedic formulation called Unmadnashak Ghrita contains cardamom as one of the components. It may possess anticonvulsant activity (managing seizures) and may also exhibit central nervous system depressant activity, which may have calming effects (sedation).² However, this information requires doctors’ confirmation. Therefore, before using Unmadnashak Ghrita, please consult your doctors.

7. Potential Uses of Cardamom for Skin

Cardamom, along with other plants, may be used for managing itching, blisters or pimples on the skin containing pus and enhancing skin complexion.² However, this information requires confirmation from human studies. Therefore, people should never use cardamom to self-medicate themselves.

Other Potential Uses of Cardamom

Cardamom seeds may be effective in reducing cigarette addiction. Chewing some cardamom seeds may be safe to minimize the number of cigarettes being smoked, and the chronic addiction to chain smoking may slowly be reduced.²

Though there are studies that show the potential uses of cardamom in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of cardamom on human health.

Discover the ancient secret to soothing swollen eyelids and finding relief! From high blood pressure to cancer, asthma to stomach acidity, let cardamom be your trusted ally on the path to wellness. Cardamom is believed to have anti-inflammatory nature.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Also Read: Star Anise: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

How to Use Cardamom?

Cardamom (Elaichi) can be used to enhance flavours in both sweet and savoury dishes. It can be used in the form of:

• Whole pods
• Seeds
• Seed powder.¹

Powdered or whole seeds may be used in spice mixtures, beverages such as tea and coffee, curries, confectionaries, baked foods and meat products.³ Flavour and Extract Manufacturers Association approve its use in foods.¹

You may consult your Ayurvedic physician for the form and dosage. In addition, we advise you to not replace or quit your current medications with any herbal preparations made from cardamom without talking to a physician or an Ayurvedic doctor.

Let’s talk about unveiling the potential of cardamom in snakebite management. While cardamom holds a special place in culinary delights, its potential healing properties extend beyond the kitchen. Cardamom may aid in the treatment of snake bites due to its anti-convulsant property.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

Side Effects of Cardamom:

US Food and Drug Administration categorizes cardamom as ‘generally recognized as safe’.¹

Some adverse effects of cardamom consumption have been reported in humans. These may include minor reports of the following:¹

• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Mild skin inflammation
• Swelling of tongue¹

Other toxic effects of the extracts due to overdose include:²

• Inflammation in the brain
• Oxidative stress (imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body)
• Damage to the cells of the heart.²

Therefore, if you experience any of such side effects, seek immediate medical help from your doctor who has prescribed it to you. They will be the best guide for providing proper treatment to overcome side effects.

Also Read: Harad: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, and more!

Precautions to Take With Cardamom:

• Patients taking anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications must take caution in routine consumption of cardamom as it may have the ability to stop platelet aggregation.^1,2
•   Cardamom seed intake may have an influence on the level of hormones in females, it may have potential action as an endocrine disruptor (causes damage to hormone-secreting glands). While more studies are needed on these lines, you must consult your Ayurvedic doctor for advice on cardamom consumption.¹  
•  One must take extra precautions while giving it to children and elderly adults might develop a few harmful reactions in the body.
• Without consulting a doctor, people should not use cardamom to self-medicate themselves.

Interactions With Other Drugs:

It was determined through a laboratory analysis that α-terpinyl acetate present in cardamom might indirectly inhibit the metabolism of drugs such as bupropion, tamoxifen, propofol, and methadone. Nevertheless, studies on living organisms are yet to be conducted to confirm any possible interference by cardamom with the metabolism of these drugs.¹   Therefore, we recommend you consult an Ayurvedic physician. They will direct you to the better way to have cardamom as a herb.

Also Read: Triphala: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

References:

1. Singletary K. Cardamom: Potential Health Benefits. Nutrition Today. 2022 Jan 1;57(1):38-49. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/Fulltext/2022/01000/Cardamom__Potential_Health_Benefits.8.aspx?context=LatestArticles
2. Sharma S, Sharma J, Kaur G. Therapeutic uses of Elettaria cardomum. International journal of drug formulation and research. 2011;2(6):102-8. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325618960_INTERNATIONAL_JOURNAL_OF_DRUG_FORMULATION_AND_RESEARCH_Therapeutic_uses_of_Elettaria_cardomum
3. Savan EK, Küçükbay FZ. Essential oil composition of Elettaria cardamomum Maton. Journal of Applied Biological Sciences. 2013;7(3):42-5. Available from: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/415771

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