PDR for Herbal Medicines

150/CARDAMOM

punctuated by numerous small oil cells. The seeds are about

4 mm diameter and dark-reddish-brown.

Characteristics: Cardamom has an aromatic and pleasant

odor. The taste is aromatic and pungent.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous in southern India and Sri

Lanka and is cultivated in tropical regions in southeast Asia

and Guatamala.

Production: Cardamom consists of the dried, almost ripe,

greenish to yellow-gray fruit of Elettaria cardamomum.

Medicinal use is limited to the seed, which is removed from

its fruit capsule. The main harvest is in October and

November of the third year after planting. The fruit is then

dried either in the sun or in so-called 'curing houses' and

then sorted according to size, form, color etc.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil: composition varies according to the specific

strain, chief components cineol, alpha-terpinyl acetate,

linalyl acetate

Fatty oil

Starch

EFFECTS

The drug is a cholagogue and has virustatic properties. The

essential oil (monoterpene) of the drug is antibacterial and

antimycotic. In animal experiments the essential oil caused

an increase in the secretion of bile and a reduction of gastric

juice production.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Common cold


• Cough/bronchitis


• Fevers and colds


• Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx


• Liver and gallbladder complaints


• Loss of appetite


• Tendency to infection

Unproven Uses: Cardamom is also used for dyspepsia. In

folk medicine it is used for digestive complaints, vomiting

and diarrhea, morning sickness and loss of appetite as well as

Roemheld syndrome.

Chinese Medicine: Cardamom is used for stomachache,

nausea, vomiting and flatulence.

Indian Medicine: In Indian medicine, Cardamom is used for
disorders of the efferent urinary tract.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages. The drug can trigger gallstone colic, due to its

motility-enhancing effect.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Ground seeds, as well as galenic

preparations for internal use.

Daily Dosage: The average daily dosage is 1.5 gm of drug.

When using a tincture, the dosage range is l to 2 gm.

Storage: Cardamom should be stored in a cool, dry place

protected from light in tightly sealed containers. The powder

can be stored for a maximum of 24 hours. Loose seeds

without the testa cannot be stored.

LITERATURE

Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Vol. I, 2nd Ed.,

CRC Press 1975.

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Haginiwa H et al., (1963) Yakagaku Zasshi 83:623.

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New

York 1980.

Lewis YS, Nambuduri ES, Philip T, Perfum Essent OH Res

57:623-628. 1966.

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

mbH Stuttgart 1997.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995.

Carex arenaria

See German Sarsaparilla

Carica papaya

See Papaya

Carlina acaulis

See Carline Thistle