Cardamom
Elettaria cardamomumCardamom ranks with saffron and vanilla among the world’s most expensive spices; the pods are picked one by one, by hand, before they ripen.
What is Cardamom?
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a plant of the Zingiberaceae family. Traditions that use it: Asia and Siberia. Part used: pods and seeds.
What is Cardamom used for?
Traditional use: A “warming” spice of Ayurveda that eases digestion; it goes into masala chai and sweets, and the seeds are chewed against bad breath. Scientific evidence: limited. Meta-analyses of controlled trials found that cardamom powder supplements may slightly lower some inflammation markers and blood pressure, with inconsistent effects on cholesterol and blood sugar.
Is Cardamom safe?
Safety label: generally safe. Safe as a spice. The long-term safety of high-dose supplements is not well known; in pregnancy, stay with food amounts. It may cause allergy in people allergic to the ginger family.
Traditional use
A “warming” spice of Ayurveda that eases digestion; it goes into masala chai and sweets, and the seeds are chewed against bad breath.
Arabic coffee is brewed with cardamom, and in south-eastern Anatolia and Hatay coffee is also spiced with it. Ottoman cooks used it in sherbets and electuaries.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Black cardamom (Amomum subulatum) is a different plant, larger and smoky, used in savoury dishes.
Preparation
Pods are lightly crushed and added to tea, coffee or food; the seeds can be chewed on their own.
What science says
Meta-analyses of controlled trials found that cardamom powder supplements may slightly lower some inflammation markers and blood pressure, with inconsistent effects on cholesterol and blood sugar. Most studies are small and come from a single country. The belief that it aids digestion rests on traditional use.
Safety
Safe as a spice. The long-term safety of high-dose supplements is not well known; in pregnancy, stay with food amounts. It may cause allergy in people allergic to the ginger family.
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Similar plants
Sources
- ResearchBotany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of cardamom: a critical review (J Ethnopharmacol 2020)
- ResearchEffect of cardamom supplementation on a number of metabolic factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2022)
- ResearchEffects of cardamom supplementation on lipid profile: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (Phytother Res 2020)
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Elettaria cardamomum
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe