Elettaria Cardamom

Description

Elettaria cardamomum, commonly known as green or true cardamom, is a herbaceous, perennial plant in the ginger family, native to southern India. It is the most common of the species whose seeds are used as a spice called cardamom. It is cultivated widely in tropical regions and reportedly naturalized in Réunion, Indochina, Elettaria cardamomum is a pungent, aromatic, herbaceous, perennial plant, growing to about 2–4 m (6 ft 7 in – 13 ft 1 in) in height. The leaves are alternate in two ranks, linear-lanceolate, 40–60 cm (16–24 in) long, with a long pointed tip. The flowers are white to lilac or pale violet, produced in a loose spike 30–60 cm (12–24 in) long. The fruit is a three-sided yellow-green pod 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) long, containing several (15-20) black and brown seeds. Introduction

• It is very useful Indian spice, cultivated in different parts of India specially in western Ghats of south India.
• It is considerabelly safe for most individuals.
• It is used in food as spice, to add flavour and aroma.
• It is also a essential ingredient in most of the ayurvedic medicines because of its excellent anti oxidant properties eg: chyvanprash, sitopaladi churna, elaadi vati, elaadi taila, eladi choornam.In ayurvedic texts, it is included under the group of herbs useful in respiratory disorders, relieving body ache and pungent tasting group of herbs.

Types: Types:

1.  Brihat ela- greater cardamom
2. Sukshma ela- lesser cardamom

Use

The green seed pods of the plant are dried and the seeds inside the pod are used in Indian and other Asian cuisines, either whole or ground. It is the most widely cultivated species of cardamom; for other types and uses, see cardamom.Cardamom pods as used as spice
True cardamom may have been used in Ayurveda medicine as early as the 4th century BC.[6] Ground cardamom is an ingredient in many Indian curries and is a primary contributor to the flavour of masala chai. In Iran and India, cardamom is used to flavour coffee and tea.

In addition to its native range, it is grown in Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Central America. In India, the states of Sikkim and Kerala are the main producers of cardamom; they rank highest both in cultivated area and in production.

Uses

• As it is diuretic, it relieves difficulty in urination and urinary retention.
• It is useful in the treatment of asthma, tuberculosis and other chronic respiratory disorders.
• It is also a cardiac tonic.
• It improves taste and digestion, relieves anorexia.
• Because of its pleasant smell and digestive properties it is drug of choice for bad breath and also dry mouth.
• It relieves pain and burning sensation.
• It is useful in nausea, vomiting and gastritis.
• It is useful in treating disorders of vata dosha imbalance such as neuralgia, paralysis, constipation, bloating.
• It is highly beneficial in productive cough.
• It also improves memory, intelligence and mental activity.
• It also helps people who wants to quite nicotine use.
• Chewing cardamom pods 4 to 6 times a day reduces craving for nicotine, restlessness, anxiety, irritability and impatience.
• It should be used in limited quantity during pregnancy and lactation period.
• Here raw natural form is safer than its extracts.
• Excessive usage is not indicated as it harms fertility.
• It is commonly used in fruit juices specially lemon juice and tea for aroma, flavor and to enhance digestive properties.