CARDAMOM: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Cardamom is an herb that is often used as a spice in foods. The seeds and the oil from the seeds are sometimes used to make medicine.

Cardamom contains chemicals that might kill some bacteria, reduce swelling, and help the immune system.

Cardamom is used for diabetes, high cholesterol, build up of fat in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD), and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for CARDAMOM overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Cardamom is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when taken in the larger amounts found in medicine.

When inhaled: It is possibly safe to breathe the vapor from cardamom essential oil as aromatherapy.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy: Cardamom is commonly consumed in foods. But it is possibly unsafe to take larger amounts of cardamom as medicine when pregnant. There is concern that cardamom might cause a miscarriage.

Breast-feeding: Cardamom is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if cardamom is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Interactions

We currently have no information for CARDAMOM overview.

Dosing

Cardamom is often included as a spice in foods. As a supplement, it is most often taken by mouth as a dose of 3 grams daily for up to 4 weeks in adults. Speak with a healthcare provider to found out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

Agarwal, B. L., Agarwal, R. K., and Misra, D. N. Malignant Arrhythmias Induced by Accidental Aconite Poisoning. Indian Heart J 1977;29(5):246-248. View abstract.

Alibeu, J. P. and Jobert, J. [Aconite in homeopathic relief of post-operative pain and agitation in children]. Pediatrie. 1990;45(7-8):465-466. View abstract.

Chan, T. Y., Tomlinson, B., Chan, W. W., Yeung, V. T., and Tse, L. K. A case of acute aconitine poisoning caused by chuanwu and caowu. J Trop.Med Hyg. 1993;96(1):62-63. View abstract.

Chan, T. Y., Tomlinson, B., Critchley, J. A., and Cockram, C. S. Herb-induced aconitine poisoning presenting as tetraplegia. Vet.Hum.Toxicol. 1994;36(2):133-134. View abstract.

Chen, H. C., Hsieh, M. T., Chang, S. S., and Liu, S. L. Long-term reno-cardiovascular effects of orally administered aconiti tuber in humans. Am J Chin Med 1990;18(1-2):25-33. View abstract.

Dickens, P., Tai, Y. T., But, P. P., Tomlinson, B., Ng, H. K., and Yan, K. W. Fatal accidental aconitine poisoning following ingestion of Chinese herbal medicine: a report of two cases. Forensic Sci Int 6-28-1994;67(1):55-58. View abstract.

Gaibazzi, N., Gelmini, G. P., Montresor, G., Canel, D., Comini, T., Fracalossi, C., Martinetti, C., Poeta, M. L., and Ziacchi, V. [Long QRS tachycardia secondary to Aconitum napellus alkaloid ingestion]. Ital.Heart J.Suppl 2002;3(8):874-877. View abstract.

Guha, S., Dawn, B., Dutta, G., Chakraborty, T., and Pain, S. Bradycardia, reversible panconduction defect and syncope following self-medication with a homeopathic medicine. Cardiology 1999;91(4):268-271. View abstract.

Hikino, H., Konno, C., Takata, H., Yamada, Y., Yamada, C., Ohizumi, Y., Sugio, K., and Fujimura, H. Antiinflammatory principles of Aconitum roots. J Pharmacobiodyn. 1980;3(10):514-525. View abstract.

Imazio, M., Belli, R., Pomari, F., Cecchi, E., Chinaglia, A., Gaschino, G., Ghisio, A., Trinchero, R., and Brusca, A. Malignant ventricular arrhythmias due to Aconitum napellus seeds. Circulation 12-5-2000;102(23):2907-2908. View abstract.

Kimura, I., Takada, M., and Nojima, H. Aconitine induces bradycardia through a transmission pathway including the anterior hypothalamus in conscious mice. Biol.Pharm Bull. 1997;20(8):856-860. View abstract.

Lin, C. C., Chou, H. L., and Lin, J. L. Acute aconitine poisoned patients with ventricular arrhythmias successfully reversed by charcoal hemoperfusion. Am J Emerg.Med 2002;20(1):66-67. View abstract.

al Zuhair, H., el Sayeh, B., Ameen, H. A., and al Shoora, H. Pharmacological studies of cardamom oil in animals. Pharmacol.Res 1996;34(1-2):79-82. View abstract.

de Pradier E. A trial of a mixture of three essential oils in the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting. International Journal of Aromatherapy 2006;16(1):15-20.

El Tahir KE, Shoeb H, and et al. Exploration of some pharmacological activities of cardamom seed(Elettaria cardamomum) volatile oil. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal (Saudi Arabia) 1997;5:96-102.

Elgayyar, M., Draughon, F. A., Golden, D. A., and Mount, J. R. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils from plants against selected pathogenic and saprophytic microorganisms. J Food Prot. 2001;64(7):1019-1024. View abstract.

Gilani, A. H., Jabeen, Q., Khan, A. U., and Shah, A. J. Gut modulatory, blood pressure lowering, diuretic and sedative activities of cardamom. J Ethnopharmacol. 2-12-2008;115(3):463-472. View abstract.

Lawrence, H. A. and Palombo, E. A. Activity of essential oils against Bacillus subtilis spores. J Microbiol.Biotechnol. 2009;19(12):1590-1595. View abstract.

Mahady, G. B., Pendland, S. L., Stoia, A., Hamill, F. A., Fabricant, D., Dietz, B. M., and Chadwick, L. R. In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Phytother.Res 2005;19(11):988-991. View abstract.

Majdalawieh, A. F. and Carr, R. I. In vitro investigation of the potential immunomodulatory and anti-cancer activities of black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). J Med Food 2010;13(2):371-381. View abstract.

Marongiu, B., Piras, A., and Porcedda, S. Comparative analysis of the oil and supercritical CO2 extract of Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton. J Agric.Food Chem. 10-6-2004;52(20):6278-6282. View abstract.

Mobacken, H. and Fregert, S. Allergic contact dermatitis from cardamom. Contact Dermatitis 1975;1(3):175-176. View abstract.

Nair, S., Nagar, R., and Gupta, R. Antioxidant phenolics and flavonoids in common Indian foods. J Assoc Physicians India 1998;46(8):708-710. View abstract.

Sekine, T., Sugano, M., Majid, A., and Fujii, Y. Antifungal effects of volatile compounds from black zira (Bunium persicum) and other spices and herbs. J Chem.Ecol. 2007;33(11):2123-2132. View abstract.

Suneetha, W. J. and Krishnakantha, T. P. Cardamom extract as inhibitor of human platelet aggregation. Phytother.Res 2005;19(5):437-440. View abstract.

Aghasi M, Koohdani F, Qorbani M, et al. Beneficial effects of green cardamom on serum SIRT1, glycemic indices and triglyceride levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial. J Sci Food Agric. 2019;99(8):3933-3940. View abstract.

Azimi P, Ghiasvand R Feizi A, Hariri M, Abbasi B. Effects of cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, and ginger consumption on markers of glycemic control, lipid profile, oxidative stress, and inflammation in type 2 diabetes. Rev Diabet Stud. 2014 Fall-Winter;11(3-4):258-66. View abstract.

Azimi P, Ghiasvand R, Feizi A, et al. Effect of cinnamon, cardamom, saffron and ginger consumption on blood pressure and a marker of endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Blood Press. 2016;25(3):133-40. View abstract.

Cheshmeh S, Ghayyem M, Khamooshi F, et al. Green cardamom plus low-calorie diet can decrease the expression of inflammatory genes among obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Eat Weight Disord 2021. View abstract.

Daneshi-Maskooni M, Keshavarz SA, Qorbani M, et al. Green cardamom supplementation improves serum irisin, glucose indices, and lipid profiles in overweight or obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019;19(1):59. View abstract.

Ding MH, Zhang H, Li Y. [A randomized controlled study on warming needle moxibustion for treatment of knee osteoarthritis]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2009;29(8):603-7. View abstract.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

Ferrara P, Bersani I, Bottaro G, et al. Cardamom ingestion as a possible cause of hematuria. Ind J Pediatr 2011;78(10):1296. View abstract.

Hunt R, Dienemann J, Norton HJ, et al. Aromatherapy as treatment for postoperative nausea: a randomized trial. Anesth Analg 2013;117(3):597-604. View abstract.

Qiblawi S, Al-Hazimi A, Al-Mogbel M, et al. Chemopreventive effects of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum L) on chemically induced skin carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice. J Med Food 2012;15(6):576-80. View abstract.

Rahman MM, Alam MN, Ulla A, 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 2017;16:151. View abstract.

Ravindran PN, Madhusoodanan KJ (eds). Cardamom: The genus Ellettaria. New York: Taylor and Francis, 2002.

Shekarchizadeh-Esfahani P, Arab A, Ghaedi E, Hadi A, Jalili C. Effects of cardamom supplementation on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Phytother Res. 2020;34(3):475-485. View abstract.

Verma SK, Jain V, Katewa SS. Blood pressure lowering, fibrinolysis enhancing and antioxidant activities of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). Ind J Biochem Biophys 2009;46(6):503-6. View abstract.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2024 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.