Cardamom

Last Editorial Review: 6/11/2021
Other Name(s):

Amomum cardamomum, Bai Dou Kou, Black Cardamom, Cardamome, Cardamome de Malabar, Cardamome Noire, Cardamome de Sri Lanka, Cardamome Verte, Cardamomo, Cardamom Essential Oil, Cardomom, Cardomomi Fructus, Ela, Elettaria cardamomum, Green Cardamom, Huile Essentielle de Cardamome, Indian Cardamom, Lesser Cardamom.

Overview

Cardamom is an herb. The seeds are used to make medicine.

Cardamom is used for digestion problems including heartburn, intestinal spasms, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), intestinal gas, constipation, liver and gallbladder complaints, and loss of appetite. It is also used for common cold, cough, bronchitis, sore mouth and throat, and tendency toward infection. Some people use cardamom as a stimulant and for urinary problems.

In foods, cardamom is used as a spice in many parts of the world.

How does work?

Cardamom contains chemicals that appear to treat stomach and intestinal spasms and gas, and increase the movement of food through the intestine.

SLIDESHOW

Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See Slideshow

Uses

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Nausea and vomiting that can occur after surgery. Early research suggests that applying a mixture of ginger, cardamom, and tarragon essential oils to the neck after anesthesia and surgery may help relieve nausea and prevent vomiting for up to 30 minutes in some people. However, the effect seems to vary depending on the number of vomit-causing drugs that were given during anesthesia or as pain relievers during and/or after surgery.
  • Intestinal spasms.
  • Heartburn.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Cold.
  • Cough.
  • Bronchitis.
  • Sore mouth and throat.
  • Liver problems.
  • Gallbladder problems.
  • Urinary problems.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Gas.
  • Constipation.
  • Preventing infections.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of cardamom for these uses.

Side Effects

Cardamom is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth, but the potential side effects of cardamom are not known.

Precautions

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking cardamom in medicinal amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Gallstones: Do not take cardamom in amounts greater than those typically found in food if you have gallstones. The cardamom seed can trigger gallstone colic (spasmodic pain).

Dosing

The appropriate dose of cardamom for use as treatment depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for cardamom. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

FDA Logo

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

Abraham, S. K., Singh, S. P., and Kesavan, P. C. In vivo antigenotoxic effects of dietary agents and beverages co-administered with urethane: assessment of the role of glutathione S-transferase activity. Mutat.Res 3-16-1998;413(2):103-110. View abstract.

Al Bataina, B. A., Maslat, A. O., and Al Kofahil, M. M. Element analysis and biological studies on ten oriental spices using XRF and Ames test. J Trace Elem.Med Biol. 2003;17(2):85-90. View abstract.

Al Harthi, M. A., El Deek, A. A., Attia, Y. A., Bovera, F., and Qota, E. M. Effect of different dietary levels of mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) leaves and spice supplementation on productive performance, egg quality, lipid metabolism and metabolic profiles in laying hens. Br Poult.Sci 2009;50(6):700-708. View abstract.

al Zuhair, H., el Sayeh, B., Ameen, H. A., and al Shoora, H. Pharmacological studies of cardamom oil in animals. Pharmacol.Res 1996;34(1-2):79-82. View abstract.

Banerjee, S., Sharma, R., Kale, R. K., and Rao, A. R. Influence of certain essential oils on carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes and acid-soluble sulfhydryls in mouse liver. Nutr Cancer 1994;21(3):263-269. View abstract.

Beddows, C. G., Jagait, C., and Kelly, M. J. Preservation of alpha-tocopherol in sunflower oil by herbs and spices. Int.J Food Sci.Nutr. 2000;51(5):327-339. View abstract.

Beniwal, A. and Khetarpaul, N. Knowledge of consumers regarding the nature and extent of adulteration of Indian foods. Nutr Health 1999;13(3):153-160. View abstract.

Bhattacharjee, S., Rana, T., and Sengupta, A. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation and enhancement of GST activity by cardamom and cinnamon during chemically induced colon carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice. Asian Pac.J Cancer Prev. 2007;8(4):578-582. View abstract.

Dave, B. J., Trivedi, A. H., and Adhvaryu, S. G. Cytogenetic studies reveal increased genomic damage among 'pan masala' consumers. Mutagenesis 1991;6(2):159-163. View abstract.

de Pradier E. A trial of a mixture of three essential oils in the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting. International Journal of Aromatherapy 2006;16(1):15-20.

Dhuley, J. N. Anti-oxidant effects of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) bark and greater cardamom (Amomum subulatum) seeds in rats fed high fat diet. Indian J Exp Biol 1999;37(3):238-242. View abstract.

Dooms-Goossens, A., Dubelloy, R., and Degreef, H. Contact and systemic contact-type dermatitis to spices. Dermatol Clin 1990;8(1):89-93. View abstract.

El Tahir KE, Shoeb H, and et al. Exploration of some pharmacological activities of cardamom seed(Elettaria cardamomum) volatile oil. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal (Saudi Arabia) 1997;5:96-102.

Elgayyar, M., Draughon, F. A., Golden, D. A., and Mount, J. R. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils from plants against selected pathogenic and saprophytic microorganisms. J Food Prot. 2001;64(7):1019-1024. View abstract.

Elshafie, A. E., Al Rashdi, T. A., Al Bahry, S. N., and Bakheit, C. S. Fungi and aflatoxins associated with spices in the Sultanate of Oman. Mycopathologia 2002;155(3):155-160. View abstract.

Fang, J., Wang, R., Huang, Y., Wu, P. C., and Tsai, Y. Passive and iontophoretic delivery of three diclofenac salts across various skin types. Biol Pharm Bull 2000;23(11):1357-1362. View abstract.

Gilani, A. H., Jabeen, Q., Khan, A. U., and Shah, A. J. Gut modulatory, blood pressure lowering, diuretic and sedative activities of cardamom. J Ethnopharmacol. 2-12-2008;115(3):463-472. View abstract.

Govindarajan, V. S., Narasimhan, S., Raghuveer, K. G., and Lewis, Y. S. Cardamom--production, technology, chemistry, and quality. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 1982;16(3):229-326. View abstract.

Hashim, S., Aboobaker, V. S., Madhubala, R., Bhattacharya, R. K., and Rao, A. R. Modulatory effects of essential oils from spices on the formation of DNA adduct by aflatoxin B1 in vitro. Nutr.Cancer 1994;21(2):169-175. View abstract.

Ho, S. C., Tsai, T. H., Tsai, P. J., and Lin, C. C. Protective capacities of certain spices against peroxynitrite-mediated biomolecular damage. Food Chem.Toxicol. 2008;46(3):920-928. View abstract.

Huang, Y. B., Fang, J. Y., Hung, C. H., Wu, P. C., and Tsai, Y. H. Cyclic monoterpene extract from cardamom oil as a skin permeation enhancer for indomethacin: in vitro and in vivo studies. Biol Pharm.Bull. 1999;22(6):642-646. View abstract.

Huang, Y. B., Hsu, L. R., Wu, P. C., Ko, H. M., and Tsai, Y. H. Crude drug (zingiberaceae) enhancement of percutaneous absorption of indomethacin: in vitro and in vivo permeation. Gaoxiong.Yi.Xue.Ke.Xue.Za Zhi. 1993;9(7):392-400. View abstract.

Jamal, A., Javed, K., Aslam, M., and Jafri, M. A. Gastroprotective effect of cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum Maton. fruits in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 1-16-2006;103(2):149-153. View abstract.

Josephrajkumar, A., Chakrabarty, R., and Thomas, G. Purification of elastase-like chymotrypsin from cardamom shoot and Capsule borer [corrected]. Indian J Exp.Biol. 2007;45(11):998-1002. View abstract.

Kikuzaki, H., Kawai, Y., and Nakatani, N. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging active compounds from greater cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.). J Nutr.Sci.Vitaminol.(Tokyo) 2001;47(2):167-171. View abstract.

Kumar, S. Panmasala chewing induces deterioration in oral health and its implications in carcinogenesis. Toxicol.Mech.Methods 2008;18(9):665-677. View abstract.

Kuriakose, G., Sinu, P. A., and Shivanna, K. R. Domestication of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) in Western Ghats, India: divergence in productive traits and a shift in major pollinators. Ann.Bot. 2009;103(5):727-733. View abstract.

Lawrence, H. A. and Palombo, E. A. Activity of essential oils against Bacillus subtilis spores. J Microbiol.Biotechnol. 2009;19(12):1590-1595. View abstract.

Liu, J. Q. and Wu, D. W. [32 cases of postoperative osteogenic sarcoma treated by chemotherapy combined with Chinese medicinal herbs]. Zhongguo Zhong.Xi.Yi.Jie.He.Za Zhi. 1993;13(3):150-2, 132. View abstract.

Mahady, G. B., Pendland, S. L., Stoia, A., Hamill, F. A., Fabricant, D., Dietz, B. M., and Chadwick, L. R. In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Phytother.Res 2005;19(11):988-991. View abstract.

Majdalawieh, A. F. and Carr, R. I. In vitro investigation of the potential immunomodulatory and anti-cancer activities of black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). J Med Food 2010;13(2):371-381. View abstract.

Marongiu, B., Piras, A., and Porcedda, S. Comparative analysis of the oil and supercritical CO2 extract of Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton. J Agric.Food Chem. 10-6-2004;52(20):6278-6282. View abstract.

Martins, A. P., Salgueiro, L., Goncalves, M. J., da Cunha, A. P., Vila, R., Canigueral, S., Mazzoni, V., Tomi, F., and Casanova, J. Essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of three Zingiberaceae from S.Tome e Principe. Planta Med. 2001;67(6):580-584. View abstract.

Martins, M. L., Martins, H. M., and Bernardo, F. Aflatoxins in spices marketed in Portugal. Food Addit.Contam 2001;18(4):315-319. View abstract.

Misharina, T. A., Terenina, M. B., and Krikunova, N. I. [Antioxidant properties of essential oils]. Prikl.Biokhim.Mikrobiol. 2009;45(6):710-716. View abstract.

Mobacken, H. and Fregert, S. Allergic contact dermatitis from cardamom. Contact Dermatitis 1975;1(3):175-176. View abstract.

Monti, D., Chetoni, P., Burgalassi, S., Najarro, M., Saettone, M. F., and Boldrini, E. Effect of different terpene-containing essential oils on permeation of estradiol through hairless mouse skin. Int J Pharm 4-26-2002;237(1-2):209-214. View abstract.

Morris, N. Detecting concentration differences in aromatic oils. Percept.Mot.Skills 2002;95(3 Pt 1):767-768. View abstract.

Nair, S., Nagar, R., and Gupta, R. Antioxidant phenolics and flavonoids in common Indian foods. J Assoc Physicians India 1998;46(8):708-710. View abstract.

Norajit, K., Laohakunjit, N., and Kerdchoechuen, O. Antibacterial effect of five Zingiberaceae essential oils. Molecules. 2007;12(8):2047-2060. View abstract.

Patel, R. K., Trivedi, A. H., Jaju, R. J., Kukreti, M. S., Bhatavdekar, J. M., Shah, P. M., and Patel, D. D. Protection from pan masala induced genomic damage by beta-carotene and retinoic acid--an in vitro experience. Neoplasma 1998;45(3):169-175. View abstract.

Patel, R. K., Trivedi, A. H., Roy, S. K., Bhatavdekar, J. M., Shah, P. M., and Patel, D. D. Influence of alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid on pan masala induced genomic damage. An in vitro experiment. J Exp.Clin Cancer Res 1998;17(4):419-424. View abstract.

Richter, T., Braun, P., and Fehlhaber, K. [Influence of spiced feed additives on taste of hen's eggs]. Berl Munch.Tierarztl.Wochenschr. 2002;115(5-6):200-202. View abstract.

Sekine, T., Sugano, M., Majid, A., and Fujii, Y. Antifungal effects of volatile compounds from black zira (Bunium persicum) and other spices and herbs. J Chem.Ecol. 2007;33(11):2123-2132. View abstract.

Sengupta, A., Ghosh, S., Bhattacharjee, S., and Das, S. Indian food ingredients and cancer prevention - an experimental evaluation of anticarcinogenic effects of garlic in rat colon. Asian Pac.J Cancer Prev. 2004;5(2):126-132. View abstract.

Shakila, R. J., Vasundhara, T. S., and Rao, D. V. Inhibitory effect of spices on in vitro histamine production and histidine decarboxylase activity of Morganella morganii and on the biogenic amine formation in mackerel stored at 30 degrees C. Z Lebensm.Unters.Forsch. 1996;203(1):71-76. View abstract.

Singh, U. P., Singh, D. P., Maurya, S., Maheshwari, R., Singh, M., Dubey, R. S., and Singh, R. B. Investigation on the phenolics of some spices having pharmacotherapeuthic properties. J Herb.Pharmacother. 2004;4(4):27-42. View abstract.

Starkenmann, C., Mayenzet, F., Brauchli, R., Wunsche, L., and Vial, C. Structure elucidation of a pungent compound in black cardamom: Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemarie (Zingiberaceae). J Agric.Food Chem. 12-26-2007;55(26):10902-10907. View abstract.

Suganthi, R., Rajamani, S., Ravichandran, M. K., and Anuradha, C. V. Effect of food seasoning spices mixture on biomarkers of oxidative stress in tissues of fructose-fed insulin-resistant rats. J Med Food 2007;10(1):149-153. View abstract.

Suneetha, W. J. and Krishnakantha, T. P. Cardamom extract as inhibitor of human platelet aggregation. Phytother.Res 2005;19(5):437-440. View abstract.

Tayel, A. A. and El Tras, W. F. Possibility of fighting food borne bacteria by egyptian folk medicinal herbs and spices extracts. J Egypt.Public Health Assoc. 2009;84(1-2):21-32. View abstract.

Vasudevan, K., Vembar, S., Veeraraghavan, K., and Haranath, P. S. Influence of intragastric perfusion of aqueous spice extracts on acid secretion in anesthetized albino rats. Indian J.Gastroenterol. 2000;19(2):53-56. View abstract.

Yadav, A. S. and Bhatnagar, D. Free radical scavenging activity, metal chelation and antioxidant power of some of the Indian spices. Biofactors 2007;31(3-4):219-227. View abstract.

Yadav, A. S. and Bhatnagar, D. Modulatory effect of spice extracts on iron-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver. Biofactors 2007;29(2-3):147-157. View abstract.

Yamahara, J., Kashiwa, H., Kishi, K., and Fujimura, H. Dermal penetration enhancement by crude drugs: in vitro skin permeation of prednisolone enhanced by active constituents in cardamon seed. Chem.Pharm.Bull.(Tokyo) 1989;37(3):855-856. View abstract.

Yamahara, J., Kimura, H., Kobayashi, M., Sawada, T., Fujimura, H., and Chisaka, T. [Biologically active principles of crude drugs. Cholagogic substances in cardamon seed and their properties]. Yakugaku Zasshi 1983;103(9):979-985. View abstract.