seeds from which an essential oil is obtained
by steam distillation. The long wild native
cardamon of Sri Lanka is obtained from
E.cardamomumvar.majorThwaites (syn.
E. cardamomum var. miniscula Burkill),
which has comparatively more elongated
fruits (up to approximately 4 cm) than var.
cardamomom, and dark brown pericarps with
coarse striations, the oil of the which is used as
a natural flavoring in liqueurs.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Contains 2.8–6.2% volatile oil, approximately
10% protein, 1–10% fixed oil, up to 50%
starch, manganese, and iron, among others
(LIST AND HO ̈RHAMMER;MARSH;WICHTL). The
volatile oil is composed mainly ofa-terpinyl
acetate and 1,8-cineole, each of which may
be present at concentrations of up to 50% or
more; lesser components include limonene,
sabinene, linalool, linalyl acetate,a-pinene,
a-terpineol, camphene, myrcene, 1,4-cineole,
borneol, and others (MASADA).1–4Acid consti-
tuents of the oil include acetic, butyric,
decanoic, dodecanoic, citronellic, geranic,
hexanoic, heptanoic, nerylic, and perillic
acids.3,4Thefixedoilmainlyconsistsofwaxes
containing n-alkanes and sterols, including
b-sitostenone, stigmasterol, andb-sitosterol.^5
Compositions of oils vary, depending on
types (e.g., Mysore and Malabar). Oils con-
taining a low content of cineole but high
content of terpinyl acetate are considered to
be of superior quality for flavor applications.^6
PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES
Cardamom is considered to have carminative,
stimulant, and stomachic properties.
Cardamom oil has shownin vitroantispas-
modic activity on isolated mouse^7 and rabbit
intestine.^8 Various constituents of the essential
oil show antimicrobial activity in vitro.
Against 14 different species, 1,8-cineole was
only active againstPropionibacteriumacnes.^9
Alcohol and aqueous extracts of various plant
parts ofE.cardamomuminhibited thein vitro
growth of a human pathogenic strain ofSal-
monella typhi.^10
An aqueous extract of the seeds increases
trypsin activity in buffer solution.^11TOXICOLOGYAvailable data indicate cardamom oil to be
nontoxic.^12 No mutagenic activity was found
from cardamom in the Ames test.^13USESMedicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Cardamom is used in some carminative, sto-
machic, and laxative preparations. The seed
oil is mainly used as a flavor ingredient in
Compound Cardamom Spirit to flavor phar-
maceuticals; also used as a fragrance compo-
nent in soaps, detergents, creams, lotions, and
perfumes, with maximum use level of 0.4%
reported in perfumes.^12Food. Cardamom is used extensively as a
domestic spice in curries, breads, and cakes;
also in coffee, especially in India, Britain, Ger-
many, Scandinavia, the Middle East, and Latin
America. Both cardamom seed and its oil are
widely used as flavor components in most
categoriesoffoodproducts,includingalcoholic
and nonalcoholic beverages, frozen desserts,
candy, baked goods, gelatins and puddings,
meat and meat products, condiments and
relishes, and gravies, among others. Highest
average maximum use level reported for the
seed is 0.5% in gravies and about 0.01%
(117 ppm) for the oil in alcoholic beverages.Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. Whole
or ground cardamom used as a flavoring in-
gredient in India-inspired popular tea known
as chai.Traditional Medicine. Cardamom has been
used in medicine for centuries in India andCardamom 141