Cardamom

Related Terms

1,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)hepta-4E,6E-dien-3-one, 1,8-cineole, 2,3,7-trihydroxy-5-(3,4-dihydroxy-E-styryl)-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzocycloheptene, acetyl terpineol, Aframomum, Alnus-cardamom, alpha-terpinyl acetate, Amomum, Amomum cardamomum, Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemaire, Amomum villosum Lour., amooman, bai dou kou, bari ilaichi (Urdu), bastard cardamom, black cardamom, buah pelaga (Malay), caffeic acid, cardamom oil, cardamom seed, cardamome (French), Cardamomi fructus, cardamomo (Italian, Spanish), cardamon, cardamone (Italian), Cardomomi fructus, chhoti elachi (Hindi), chlorogenic acid, cinnamic acid, elaichi (Hindi), elam (Tamil), Elettaria cardamomum spp., enasal (Sinhalese), ferulic acid, gallic acid, grains of paradise, grawahn (Thai), greater cardamom, green cardamom, heel kalan, Indian cardamom, kapulaga (Indonesian), Kardamom (German), kardamomma (Icelandic), kravan (Thai), large cardamom, lesser cardamom, limonene, linalool, linalyl acetate, Malabar cardamom, minerals, myrcene, Mysore cardamom, Nepal cardamom, phalazee (Burmese), phenolic acids, protocatechualdehyde, protocatechuic acid, Siam cardamom, small cardamom, tannic acid, terpineol, terpinolene, (+/-)-trans-2,3,3a,7a-tetrahydro-1H-indene-4-carbaldehyde, true cardamom, ts'ao-k'ou (Chinese), Unmadnashak Ghrita, vanillic acid, winged Java cardamom, Zingiberaceae (family).
Combination product example: Padma?28 (Padma Inc., Switzerland).

Background

Cardamom is the dried, unripened fruit of the perennial plant species Elettaria cardamomum. Enclosed in the fruit pods are tiny, brown, aromatic seeds, which are both pungent and sweet to the taste. Cardamom pods are generally green but are also available in a bleached white form. Cardamom is available both as a whole pod and as seeds that have had the outer hull removed.
Several species in the Zingiberaceae (ginger) plant family are used like "true" cardamom. In general, species in the Aframomum genus are used as a spice. Elettaria species are used both as a spice and as medicine, and Amomum species are used as an ingredient in several traditional medicines in China, India, Korea, and Vietnam.
Cardamom has been used traditionally to help digestion and relieve gas. It has also been used as a stimulant, breath freshener, and aphrodisiac.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose of cardamom.
As a digestive, a tea prepared from one teaspoon of freshly crushed cardamom seeds infused in one cup of boiled water for 10-15 minutes has been taken by mouth. Traditionally, the typical dose of cardamom is 1.5 grams of the ground seeds daily. The usual dose of tincture is 1-2 grams taken by mouth daily.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Cardamom may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that also increase the risk of bleeding. Examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Cardamom may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in patients taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Cardamom may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs, including CNS depressants. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Cardamom may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. Patients using any medications should check the package insert, and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Cardamom may increase the ability of drugs delivered through the skin to permeate the skin.
Cardamom may also interact with anesthetics, antibiotics, anticancer agents, anticholinergics, antifungals, cyproheptadine, diuretics (loop), estradiol, indomethacin, muscarinic agents, pain relievers, and prednisolone.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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