Elaichi (Cardamom)

Elaichi or Cardamom is a popular spice that is easily found in Indian households. It has a slightly sweet but intense flavour that can be described as mint-like. Elaichi seeds, oils and extracts have been used in Ayurved for their many health benefits (1, 2).

Other names for Cardamon (Elettaria cardamomum) include:

• Velchi in Marathi
• Elathari in Malyalam
• Yalakkai / Elakkai in Tamil
• Yealak-Kayulu / Elakkayi in Telugu
• Yelakki in Kannada

The primary active components in Cardamom are Alpha-terpinyl acetate, limonene, 1,8-cineole, linalyl acetate, and linalool. These components are responsible for several health benefits provided by this spice.

11 Health Benefits And Uses Of Elaichi:

1. Elaichi Has Antibacterial Properties That Treats Infections

Research studies have proven that Cardamom extract and oils can combat several common bacteria strains [3, 4, 5, 6]. One study found Cardamom to be as, if not more, effective than allopathic drugs in combating E. coli and Staphylococcus [4]. Elaichi is used in treatments against several bacteria strains that can lead to food poisoning, fungal infections, and stomach problems.

2. Cardamom Lowers Blood Glucose Levels

Lab studies on Elaichi indicate that this spice can help normalize blood glucose levels quickly [7]. This is also one of the reasons Elaichi is added to masala chai. Studies on humans with Cardamom and its effects on blood sugar need to be further tested for better understanding.

3. Elaichi Lowers Blood Pressure

Cardamom has proven to lower blood pressure in a 12-week study on humans with high blood pressure [8]. The spice contains high levels of antioxidants which are linked to lower blood pressure [8, 9]. Cardamom also promotes lower blood pressure because of its known diuretic properties [10].

4. Cardamom Treats Ulcers And Other Digestive Problems

Indian cuisine makes use of Elaichi for its pro-digestive attributes. Ayurvedic treatments for nausea, vomiting, and discomfort often include a blend of spices and herbs, including Cardamom. One study found that taking 12.5 mg per kg of bodyweight, Cardamom extract was more effective than regular anti-ulcer medicines [11].

5. Elaichi Helps Prevent Bad Breath And Cavities

Ayurved has long since used Elaichi to treat bad breath. In some cultures, people eat entire cardamom pods after every meal to prevent bad breath and cavities [1]. A Study found Cardamom to be effective at combating several cavity-causing bacteria. Cardamom’s antibacterial properties also help reduce the number of bacteria in the saliva by up to 54%, according to one study [12].

6. Cardamom Combats Cancer

Research has found that Cardamom contains components that boost the activity of cancer-fighting enzymes [13, 14]. A study on mice exposed to cancer-causing compounds showed only 29% of the mice who ate Cardamom had developed cancer as opposed to 90% of the control group [14].

7. Elaichi Improves Oxygen Levels And Respiratory Health

Elaichi can help improve your body’s oxygen uptake. It works by relaxing your airway which can be helpful for those suffering from asthma. Ayurvedic treatments with Cardamom can also help improve oxygen intake during exercise [15].

8. Cardamom Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Cardamom is packed with anti-inflammatory components, helping to protect the body from chronic diseases [16, 17, 18]. Studies have shown Elaichi to combat inflammations caused by a high fat and carbs diet [19].

9. Elaichi Promotes Weight Loss

Elaichi helps support weight reduction in men and women, especially for prediabetics who are overweight and obese.  One study with 80 participants found a connection between Cardamom and a reduced waist circumference.

10. Cardamom Protects The Liver

Elaichi lowers elevated levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, and liver enzymes. This can help reduce the risk of fatty liver disease by preventing liver enlargement [20, 21, 22, 23].

11. Elaichi Helps Prevent Anxiety

Cardamom is said to possibly lower anxiety and other mood disorders. This is done by improving antioxidant levels since lower antioxidant levels are associated with the development of mood disorders like anxiety [24, 25].

Final Word On The Ayurvedic Benefits Of Cardamom:

Elaichi is a versatile spice that can be used in cooking curries and stews as well as baking cookies and bread. Ayurvedic use of Cardamom supplements, extracts, and essential oils also support the many benefits of taking Elaichi.

You can use Cardamom to lower your blood pressure, improve breathing, and many more benefits. To get a tailor-made Ayurvedic treatment that uses Elaichi, talk to our online doctor consultation. Dr. Vaidya’s line-up also uses Cardamom in Chakaash Toffees for immunity, Huff ‘n’ Kuff Kadha for cold and cough, Herbiacid Capsules for digestive relief, Bronkoherb Capsules for respiratory problems, Herbo 24 Turbo Capsules for sexual performance.

References:

1. Korikanthimathm, Vs & Prasath, D. & Rao, Govardhana. (2001). Medicinal properties of Elettaria cardamomum. J Med Aromat Plant Sci. 22/23.
2. “Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum Linn. Maton) Seeds in Health.” Nuts and Seeds in Health and Disease Prevention, Jan. 2011, pp. 285–91. www.sciencedirect.com, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286335251_Cardamom_Elettaria_cardamomum_Linn_Maton_Seeds_in_Health.
3. Vijayalakshmi, P., et al. “The Evaluation of the Virulence Factors of Clinical Candida Isolates and the Anti-Biofilm Activity of Elettaria Cardamomum against Multi-Drug Resistant Candida Albicans.” Current Medical Mycology, vol. 2, no. 2, June 2016, pp. 8–15. PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28681014/.
4. Agnihotri, Supriya, and S. Wakode. “Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil and Various Extracts of Fruits of Greater Cardamom.” Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. 72, no. 5, Sept. 2010, pp. 657–59. PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21695005/.
5. Keerthirathne, Thilini Piushani, et al. “A Review of Temperature, PH, and Other Factors That Influence the Survival of Salmonella in Mayonnaise and Other Raw Egg Products.” Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 5, no. 4, Nov. 2016. PubMed, https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/5/4/63.
6. Mutlu-Ingok, Aysegul, and Funda Karbancioglu-Guler. “Cardamom, Cumin, and Dill Weed Essential Oils: Chemical Compositions, Antimicrobial Activities, and Mechanisms of Action against Campylobacter Spp.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 22, no. 7, July 2017. PubMed, https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/22/7/1191.
7. Rahman, Md Mizanur, et al. “Cardamom Powder Supplementation Prevents Obesity, Improves Glucose Intolerance, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Liver of High Carbohydrate High Fat Diet Induced Obese Rats.” Lipids in Health and Disease, vol. 16, Aug. 2017. PubMed Central, https://lipidworld.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12944-017-0539-x.
8. Verma, S. K., et al. “Blood Pressure Lowering, Fibrinolysis Enhancing and Antioxidant Activities of Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum).” Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics, vol. 46, no. 6, Dec. 2009, pp. 503–06.
9. Ortiz, M. C., et al. “Antioxidants Block Angiotensin II-Induced Increases in Blood Pressure and Endothelin.” Hypertension (Dallas, Tex.: 1979), vol. 38, no. 3 Pt 2, Sept. 2001, pp. 655–59. PubMed, https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.HYP.38.3.655.
10. Gilani, Anwarul Hassan, et al. “Gut Modulatory, Blood Pressure Lowering, Diuretic and Sedative Activities of Cardamom.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 115, no. 3, Feb. 2008, pp. 463–72. PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18037596/.
11. Jamal, A., et al. “Gastroprotective Effect of Cardamom, Elettaria Cardamomum Maton. Fruits in Rats.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 103, no. 2, Jan. 2006, pp. 149–53. PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16298093/.
12. Ghanwate, Niraj & Thakare, Prashant. (2012). ANTIMICROBIAL AND SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITY OF INGREDIENTS OF BETEL QUID ON ORAL AND ENTERIC PATHOGENS. Bioscience Discovery. 3.
13. Qiblawi, Samir, et al. “Chemopreventive Effects of Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum L.) on Chemically Induced Skin Carcinogenesis in Swiss Albino Mice.” Journal of Medicinal Food, vol. 15, no. 6, June 2012, pp. 576–80. PubMed, https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/jmf.2011.0266.
14. Das, Ila, et al. “Antioxidative Effects of the Spice Cardamom against Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer by Modulating Nuclear Factor Erythroid-2-Related Factor 2 and NF-ΚB Signalling Pathways.” The British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 108, no. 6, Sept. 2012, pp. 984–97. PubMed, https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/antioxidative-effects-of-the-spice-cardamom-against-nonmelanoma-skin-cancer-by-modulating-nuclear-factor-erythroid2related-factor-2-and-nfb-signalling-pathways/DFD8E735BC4A20681C2B30E566E75462.
15. Patil, Shrikant & Sreekumaran, E & Krishna, A.. (2011). EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF CARDAMOM AROMATHERAPY ON AEROBIC FITNESS & AUTONOMIC FUNCTIONS AMONG STUDENTS. 1 2 1. Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU. 01. 10.1055/s-0040-1703515.
16. Libby, Peter. “Inflammation in Atherosclerosis.” Nature, vol. 420, no. 6917, Dec. 2002, pp. 868–74. PubMed, https://www.nature.com/articles/nature01323.
17. Coussens, Lisa M., and Zena Werb. “Inflammation and Cancer.” Nature, vol. 420, no. 6917, Dec. 2002, pp. 860–67. PubMed, https://www.nature.com/articles/nature01322.
18. Lumeng, Carey N., and Alan R. Saltiel. “Inflammatory Links between Obesity and Metabolic Disease.” The Journal of Clinical Investigation, vol. 121, no. 6, June 2011, pp. 2111–17. www.jci.org, https://www.jci.org/articles/view/57132.
19. Rahman, Md Mizanur, et al. “Cardamom Powder Supplementation Prevents Obesity, Improves Glucose Intolerance, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Liver of High Carbohydrate High Fat Diet Induced Obese Rats.” Lipids in Health and Disease, vol. 16, Aug. 2017. PubMed Central, https://lipidworld.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12944-017-0539-x.
20. Aboubakr, Mohamed, and Abdelazem Mohamed Abdelazem. “Hepatoprotective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Cardamom against Gentamicin Induced Hepatic Damage in Rats.” International Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, vol. 5, no. 1, Dec. 2015, pp. 1–4. www.sciencepubco.com, https://www.sciencepubco.com/index.php/ijbas/article/view/5435.
21. Nitasha Bhat, G. M., et al. “Comparison of the Efficacy of Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum) with Pioglitazone on Dexamethasone-Induced Hepatic Steatosis, Dyslipidemia, and Hyperglycemia in Albino Rats.” Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research, vol. 6, no. 3, 2015, pp. 136–40. PubMed Central, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26317079/.
22. Dhuley, J. N. “Anti-Oxidant Effects of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Verum) Bark and Greater Cardamom (Amomum Subulatum) Seeds in Rats Fed High Fat Diet.” Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, vol. 37, no. 3, Mar. 1999, pp. 238–42.
23. Lim, Dong-Woo, et al. “Amomum Cardamomum L. Ethyl Acetate Fraction Protects against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Injury via an Antioxidant Mechanism in Rats.” BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 16, May 2016, p. 155. PubMed, https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-016-1121-1.
24. Masoumi-Ardakani, Yaser, et al. “The Effect of Elettaria Cardamomum Extract on Anxiety-like Behavior in a Rat Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.” Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie, vol. 87, Mar. 2017, pp. 489–95. PubMed, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332216315554.
25. Gautam, Medhavi, et al. “Role of Antioxidants in Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Depression.” Indian Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 54, no. 3, 2012, pp. 244–47. PubMed Central, https://www.indianjpsychiatry.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5545;year=2012;volume=54;issue=3;spage=244;epage=247;aulast=Gautam.