CARDAMOM - BENEFITS, SIDE EFFECTS AND MORE - NEWSHA

Common Name: Cardamom, Green Cardamom

Scientific Name: Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton

History and Origin

The earliest reference to cardamom is a clay tablet from the ancient city of Nippur, Sumaria, dated 2000 BC. Cardamom was an article of trade between India and Greece during the 4^th century BC. Cardamom was a natural forest product until the early 19^th century, and its large scale organized cultivation started only in the mid 19^th century when the demand for this herb increased worldwide. Nowadays its production is concentrated mainly in India and Guatemala. India has been the largest producer, consumer and exporter till 1980, but afterwards its position was taken over by Guatemala. In Guatemala the crop was introduced in 1920, and its production considerably expanded after World War Two due to high market prices and the drop of coffee prices.⁽¹⁾Worldwide, cardamom is recognized as the “queen of spices” for its pleasant aroma and taste, and is the third most expensive spice after saffron and vanilla. In general, the cardamoms are the capsules of dried fruits in different genera of the Zingiberaceae family, primarily Elettaria, Amomum and Aframomum. Among them, Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton ⁽²⁾, which belongs to the genus Elettaria ⁽¹⁾, is most important and Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton is commonly known as small cardamom, green cardamom, or true cardamom and is grown in India, Guatemala, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Tanzania. The botanical name of cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum, originated from the Tamil word “Elettari” which refers to its seeds . ⁽²⁾

Cardamom Plant Structure

Cardamom is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows 2–5 m in height, with underground rhizomes and is propagated by vegetative division of rhizomes. The aerial stem is formed by encircling the leaf sheaths. The leaves are 30–35 cm long and 7–10 cm wide, lanceolate with acuminate tip. ⁽²⁾ Leaves are dark green and shiny on the upper surface and pale green on the lower surface. The lower surface of the leaf could be smooth (glabrous) or pubescent (hairy) depending on the variety. Flowers are borne in racemes, they are hermaphrodite, zygomorphic and about 4cm long and 1.5cm wide. The fruit is a trilocular capsule, ovate-globose, dark green to pale green in color. ⁽¹⁾Capsules (fruits) mature completely in about 120 days from flowering. ⁽²⁾ On ripening the capsule turns yellow in color; ⁽¹⁾The fruits are non-dehiscent, fleshy and leathery when dry. ⁽²⁾

Each capsule contains 15-30 seeds which are dark brown, angled, aromatic and about 3mm long with a thin mucilaginous aril. ⁽¹⁾

The genus Elettaria has seven species and the small cardamom of commerce belongs to species cardamomum. Based on the nature of the plant, panicle, shape and size of fruits, three types of cultivated varieties can be recognized in India: var. Malabar, Mysore and Vazhukka. In the Malabar variety panicles are prostrate and 60-90 cm long: the fruits are small, globose, round or ovoid, pale green in color and are ribbed.

In the variety Mysore panicles are erect and capsules are bigger, longer, fusiform, three angled, dark green in color and ribbed. This variety is mainly cultivated in the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

In the variety Vazhukka panicles are semierect (flexuous) in nature. Capsules are bold, dark green in color, ovoid in shape, three-angled and ribbed. It is extensively cultivated in Guatemala.⁽¹⁾

Fig. 1 Cardamom Flower, Fruits and Seeds

Cardamom Health Benefits

1. Improving Digestive System Function

In 2015, a study was conducted to evaluate laxative and diuretic activity of E. cardamomum extract and its effect on gastrointestinal tract in mice. Cardamom laxative action was investigated with Agar-Agar (a standard drug for laxative). The cardamom extract showed increase in fecal output at 4 hours, followed by gradual decreased and attain normal condition. The diuretic activity was also found significant when compared with standard drug Furosemide. These results indicated that the herb has laxative potential as well as moderate diuretic effect. These results were dose-dependent and highly significant results were observed at higher doses with respect to reference drugs. Also the decrease in intestinal motility and softness of stool were observed. ⁽³⁾

2. Alleviating Peptic Ulcer Disease

In 2019, the gastroprotective and therapeutic effects of cardamom was examined in rats with peptic ulcer disease. For this purpose, the gastric tissue was examined for number of ulcers and gastric juice acidity. Therefore, it is therapeutically valuable for enhancing and hastening gastric ulcer remediation. ⁽⁴⁾

3. Regulating Blood Pressure

In 2009, cardamom fruit powder was evaluated for its antihypertensive effect in individuals with stage 1 hypertension. In this study, the participants were administered 3 g powder in two divided doses for 12 weeks. Administration of 3 g powder significantly decreased blood pressure at the end of 12th week. All study subjects experienced a feeling of well-being without any side effects. Thus, the present study demonstrates that cardamom effectively reduces blood pressure in stage 1 hypertensive individuals. It is noteworthy that in the present study not only cardamom seeds, but the fruit shell containing flavanoids was also used which might have some role in lowering blood pressure. Also, it has also shown blood pressure lowering activity along with diuretic and sedative effects in animals. ⁽⁵⁾

4. Improving Cardiovascular System Function

In a 2015 study, the role of cardamom as a cardioprotective agent was investigated in animal model. The present study findings demonstrate that it significantly protects the myocardium and exerts cardioprotective effects by free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities. The outcome of the present study results may have future therapeutic value, particularly for patients who are vulnerable to develop ischemic heart disease. ⁽⁶⁾

Ischemic heart disease is the term given to heart problems caused by narrowed heart (coronary) arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. ⁽⁷⁾

5. Improving Urinary Tract Function

In 2015, a study was conducted to evaluate the renal protective effect of cardamom in rats. In this study, kidney damage caused significant increase in blood creatinine, urea, glucose and total protein levels. Creatinine and urea are waste products of protein metabolism that need to be excreted by the kidney; therefore, a marked increase of these parameters confirms an indication of functional damage to the kidney. It was observed that its administration caused significant decrease in creatinine, urea, glucose levels and significant increase in total protein levels suggested the protective effects of cardamom. In conclusion, oral administration of this herb watery extract produces significant renal protective effect. Its antioxidant properties reduce kidney damage.⁽⁸⁾

6. Promoting Weight Loss

In 2015, a study was designed to determine the effect of cardamom supplementation on anthropometric measurements in overweight and obese prediabetic women. The participants received 3 g for two months. Physical activity, dietary information and anthropometric measurement including weight, height, waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) were recorded before and after intervention. Their mean weight, BMI and mean of waist circumference decreased significantly after the study. It can be concluded that cardamom supplementation may reduce the waist circumference and abdominal obesity in prediabetic groups. ⁽⁹⁾

7. Improving Liver Function

In 2016, a study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of cardamom in rats. The degree of hepatoprotection was measured using serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin, albumin, and lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol) levels. In the case of liver damage, consumption of the aqueous extract significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of AST, ALT, bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol. Also, the extract significantly increased the lowered serum levels of albumin and HDL cholesterol in rats. According to the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the aqueous extract possesses hepatoprotective activity against hepatotoxicity. ⁽¹⁰⁾

8. Increasing Antioxidant Activity

Cardamom capsules and seeds are rich sources of antioxidant substances that neutralize free radicals by preventing oxidation of other components. According to a study, cardamom capsules have a moderate level of natural antioxidant properties owing to the presence of phenol compounds such as quercetin, kaempferol and luteolins. Like phytonutrients and vitamins, the essential oil of cardamom acts as an antioxidant and helps scavenging free radicals, thus reducing cellular ageing. ⁽²⁾

9. Anti-cancer

Cardamom has been demonstrated to have antioxidant properties and shows chemopreventive activity in the prevention and inhibition of breast cancer growth. ⁽¹¹⁾Chemoprevention means the use of drugs, vitamins, or other agents to try to reduce the risk of, or delay the development or recurrence of, cancer. ⁽¹²⁾

It contains the compounds DIM (diindolylmethane) and IC3 (indole-3-carbinol). Cardamom DIM and IC3 compounds can kill breast cancer cells and inhibit proliferation. These compounds also provide additional anti-cancer benefits by promoting host immune responses. Various studies have suggested that daily consumption of cardamom can help prevent breast cancer. Studies clearly show that cardamom has a real potential to fight breast cancer by virtue of its antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, immune boosting, and anti-aging effects. ⁽¹¹⁾

In 2012, chemopreventive effects of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum L.) was investigated on skin cancer in mice. Findings of this study indicate the potential of cardamom as a chemopreventive agent against skin cancer.⁽¹³⁾

10. Promoting Oral and Dental Health

The oil extracted from cardamom seeds is a combination of terpene, esters, flavonoids, and other compounds. Cineole, the major active component of its oil, is a potent antiseptic that is known to kill bacteria producing bad breath and other infections. Recently, in a study done to explore the antimicrobial effects of the extracts on oral bacteria, it was found that the extracts are effective against oral pathogenic bacteria like Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. ⁽¹⁴⁾

What Are Cardamom Side Effects?

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. ⁽¹⁵⁾

1. When taken by mouth: Cardamom is LIKELY SAFE when taken in amounts commonly found in food. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken in the larger amounts found in medicine.

2. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Cardamom is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine during pregnancy. There is concern that taking cardamom might cause a miscarriage. There isn't enough reliable information to know if cardamom is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

3. Gallstones: If you have gallstones, do not take cardamom in amounts greater than those typically found in food. ⁽¹⁶⁾ It can trigger gallstone colic (spasmodic pain ⁽¹⁶⁾), due to its motility-enhancing effect. ⁽¹⁵⁾

Generally, every person may be allergic to certain herbs and spices. This sensitivity must be first diagnosed by the person and secondarily by the physician. However, these allergic reactions do not cause chronic or acute side effects, and after identifying the allergenic plant and removing it from diet, allergy-related complications will be eliminated. No company or product can be aware of the allergic reactions of different bodies in advance. The body's incompatibility with one or more specific herbs rarely occurs, but consumers may encounter it anyway.

Nutritional Information

The proximate composition of cured cardamom capsules includes carbohydrate 68.2%, protein 10.6 %, fat 2.4 % and ash 5.3 %. One hundred g of cured capsules contained calcium (93 mg), magnesium (182 mg), potassium (124 mg), phosphorus (183 mg), sulphur (100 mg) and iron (13 mg). These are essential mineral elements for normal day-to-day physiological activities of humans. ⁽²⁾

Cardamom Daily Dosage

The average daily dosage is 1.5 gm seed.⁽¹⁵⁾

As a digestive: Infused 1 teaspoon of crushed seeds in 1 cup boiled water for 10-15 minutes. ⁽¹⁷⁾

Bioactive Compounds

Cardamom capsules and leaves contain significant levels of manganese, zinc and copper. Nutritionally important metabolites of these capsules include flavonoids (catechin, myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol) and carotenoids (lutein and β-carotene). The essential oil content of the capsules varies from 6 to 14% depending upon the type and processing methods and possess predominantly monoterpene constituents, such as 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, α-terpineol, linalool, linalyl acetate and nerolidol and the ester constituent α-terpinyl acetate.

The characteristic aroma of cardamom capsules and seeds is principally developed by a combination of two major constituents namely 1, 8- cineole and α-terpinyl acetate. ⁽²⁾

Best Time to Consume

1-2 hours before or after meals.

Possible Drug Interactions

1. 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, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®).

2. Medications changed by the liver: Cardamom may interfere with the way the body processes many drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood in the short-term (causing increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions), and/or decreased in the blood in the long-term (which can reduce the intended effects). Examples of medications that may be affected by this herb in this manner include carbamazepine, cyclosporin, irinotecan, midazolam, nifedipine, birth control pills, simvastatin, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, warfarin, or HIV drugs such as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) or protease inhibitors (PIs).

3. Antispasmodic drugs or muscarinic agents: Cardamom may have antispasmodic effects. Patients taking antispasmodic drugs or muscarinic agents should use with caution.

4. Indomethacin: Although not well studied, it may also interact with indomethacin. ⁽¹⁷⁾

Intake of following medications may also interfere with cardamom:

- Blood pressure-lowering drugs,

- Central nervous system (CNS) depressants: benzodiazepines such as lorazepam or diazepam, barbiturates such as phenobarbitals, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants and alcohol),

- Anaesthetics,

- Antibiotics,

- Anticancer Agents,

- Anticholinergics,

- Antifungals,

- Cyproheptadine,

- Diuretics (Loop),

- Estrogen,

- Pain relievers and

- Prednisolone. ⁽¹⁸⁾

Traditional Use

Small cardamom capsules have been used since the 4^th century BC by Indian Ayurveda doctors and ancient Greek and Roman doctors for treating various health problems such as bronchitis, asthma, and constipation, cold, cough, diuretic, carminative, teeth and gum infections, urinary and kidney disorders, congestion of lungs, pulmonary tuberculosis, and irritation of eyelids, and cataracts, nausea, diarrhea, and cardiac disorders.

Powdered capsules mixed with pulverized cloves, ginger and caraway have been used for digestive ailments. This powder drink is also an antidote for snake and scorpion venom. The consumption of these capsules reduces inflammation and headaches. This capsule powder is used for bronchial asthma patients with excess saliva and mucus in the respiratory tract, and as an excellent cough suppressant.

Cardamom capsules reduce the caffeine constituent in coffee and the combination of the capsules and coffee is called ‘gavah’ which is popular in Arabian culture to relieve headaches and stress.

In Chinese traditional medicine, this herb was used to treat constipation, stomach ache, bladder infections and dysentery in children.

Cardamom has also been widely used to treat food poisoning in Ayurveda medicine. In Indian traditional medicine, capsules are considered as excellent digestive. The seeds are chewed to avoid bad breath, vomiting and indigestion.

In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, crushed capsules are boiled with tea and water to impart a pleasant aroma to tea, which is popularly called “Elakkai tea” and which has been used to relieve tiredness due to over work and depression. ⁽²⁾

Some Questions about Cardamom

How many types of cardamom are there?

There are two main types of cardamom:

- Small green cardamom (Eletteria cardamomum)

- Large red/black cardamom (Amomumsubulatum Roxb)

The most common type is the small green cardamom while large cardamom is mainly grown in India, with some in Nepal and Bhutan. ⁽¹⁹⁾

Based on adaptability, nature of panicle, shape and size of capsules, the cultivars of small green cardamom are categorized into Malabar, Mysore and Vazhukka. ⁽²⁰⁾

How much cardamom is safe per day?

The average daily dosage is 1.5 gm seed.⁽¹⁵⁾

Can I be allergic to cardamom?

It is a spice which may result in allergy symptoms in sensitised individuals; however, few studies have been reported to date.

Although contact and systemic contact-type dermatitis reactions to spices such as cardamom may be relatively rare, there is a possibility that they may also often be overlooked. ⁽²¹⁾

Researchers reported one case of allergic contact dermatitis to it elicited by terpenes present in the seeds. ⁽²²⁾

Is cardamom a laxative?

In 2015, a study was conducted to evaluate laxative activity of E. cardamomum extract and its effect on gastrointestinal tract in mice. The results indicated that it has laxative potential. Also, the decrease in intestinal motility and softness of stool were observed. ⁽³⁾

Is cardamom good for diabetes?

It has been suggested that the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic activities may improve diabetes.

Also, a study was planned to determine the effects of green cardamom on blood glucose, lipids and oxidative stress status in type 2 diabetic patients, in 2018.

Researchers suggest that the results of this trial will provide clinical evidence on its effectiveness and safety in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). ⁽²³⁾

Is cardamom good for asthma?

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of asthma. The results of a study indicate that this herb exhibits bronchodilatory effect, mediated through Ca⁺⁺ antagonist mechanism, which provides sound mechanistic background for its medicinal use in asthma. ⁽²⁴⁾

What is green cardamom good for? / Is eating cardamom good for health?

Traditionally, cardamom capsules have been used for treating various health problems such as bronchitis, asthma, and constipation, cold, cough, diuretic, carminative, teeth and gum infections, urinary and kidney disorders, congestion of lungs, pulmonary tuberculosis, and irritation of eyelids, and cataracts, nausea, diarrhea, and cardiac disorders.⁽²⁾

According to the scientific studies, this herb is useful for improving digestive system function; it has laxative potential, moderate diuretic effect and is therapeutically valuable for enhancing and hastening gastric ulcer remediation. ^(3-4)

For more information, see the “Cardamom Health Benefits” section.

What does green cardamom taste like?

Cardamom has a pleasant strong, pungent aroma and taste. It is a fragrant spice that can add to both sweet and savory drinks and food. Green cardamom pods have a zesty citrus, herbal, slightly sweet flavor.

What is green cardamom called in English?

Cardamom with botanical name of Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton is commonly known as small cardamom, green cardamom, or true cardamom.

Is green cardamom the same as cardamom?

In general, the cardamoms are the capsules of dried fruits in different genera of the Zingiberaceae family, primarily Elettaria, Amomum and Aframomum.⁽²⁾Among them, green cardamom belongs to the genus Elettaria ⁽¹⁾.

For more information about the genus Elettaria, see the “Cardamom Plant Structure” section.

What is the side effect of cardamom?

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. ⁽¹⁵⁾

For more information about the possible side effect, see the “What Are Cardamom Side Effects?” section.

Does green cardamom have caffeine? / Does cardamom remove caffeine?

Cardamom is naturally caffeine free.

Moreover, its capsules reduce the caffeine constituent in coffee and the combination of its seed and coffee is called “gavah”, which is popular in Arabian culture to relieve headaches and stress.

Does cardamom burn belly fat?

According to a study, cardamom supplementation may reduce waist circumference and abdominal obesity. ⁽⁹⁾

For more information, see the “Cardamom Health Benefits” section.

Is eating cardamom good for health?

One hundred g of cured capsules contained calcium (93 mg), magnesium (182 mg), potassium (124 mg), phosphorus (183 mg), sulphur (100 mg) and iron (13 mg). These are essential mineral elements for the normal day-to-day physiological activities of humans. ⁽²⁾