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Elettaria cardamomum - Ela, Cardamom

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Elaichi, Elettaria cardomamum

Elettaria cardamomum is a herbaceous perennial plant in the ginger family. It is 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 and Costa Rica.

Uses

Indigestion, Nausea, Vomiting, Pulmonary disease, Stomachache, Heart burn, Throat troubles, Congestion of the lungs, Kidney stones[1]

Parts Used

Seeds, Fruits[1].

Chemical Composition

The main chemical components of cardamom oil are a-pinene, b-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, a-phellandrene, limonene.[2]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada Elakki
Hindi Elaichi
Malayalam Elatarri
Tamil Elam Ancha
Telugu Elaki
Marathi NA
Gujarathi NA
Punjabi NA
Kashmiri NA
Sanskrit Trutih
English Cardamom, Malabar cardamom

[1]

Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Katu (Pungent), Madhur (Sweet)

Guna

Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry)

Veerya

Sheet (cold)

Vipaka

Katu (Pungent)

Karma

Kapha, Vata

Prabhava

Habit

Herb

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Simple Long and sword-shaped The underside is paler and may have a covering of tiny hairs and it is Dark green

[3]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Unisexual Reach over 1 m in length Pale green 5-20 The flowers contain both male and female parts. One of the petals is white and streaked with violet. Flowering from April to August

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
Oval Each fruit has three chambers filled with small aromatic seeds, each about 3 mm long The fruits dry to a straw-brown colour and are widely used as flavouring Seeds dry to a straw-brown colour and are widely used as flavouring Fruiting from September to January

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

Anu Tailam, Abana, Amrita ballataki, Aravindaasava, Arimedaadi taila, Avipattikara Churna, Ashwagandhaadi Rasaayana, Ashwagandhaadi Lehyam, Ashwagandhaarishta, Yelaadi Oil, Yelaadi Churna, Yelaadi Bati, Imex, Karpooraadi Bati, Kalyanaka Gritham, Kaayasiddi Lehyam, Kumariyaasava, Kesha sanjivini taila, Kanchanaar Guggulu, Khadiraarishta, Garbhapaala rasa, Gandhaka rasaayana, Chandanaadi tailam, Chandraprabha vati, Chyavanaprash, Jatiphalaadi Churnam, Jeeraka Rasaayana. [4]

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings.

How to plant/cultivate

The planting is carried out during the rainy season commencing from June. Seedlings are to be planted upto the collar region for better growth.[5]

Commonly seen growing in areas

Subtropical area, Indoors in a heated greenhouse, Warm shady humid place.

Photo Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 ”Karnataka Medicinal Plants Volume - 2” by Dr.M. R. Gurudeva, Page No.125, Published by Divyachandra Prakashana, #45, Paapannana Tota, 1st Main road, Basaveshwara Nagara, Bengaluru.
  2. Plant Chemicals
  3. Leaf morphology
  4. Ayurvedic preparations
  5. Cultivation details

External Links