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| DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied. |
| In tincture form this herb is subject to legal restrictions in some countries. NOT USED when gallstones are present as they could stimulate an attack. |
A perennial tropical plant with tall, simple canes or stems (6 to 12 feet) arising from a thick, creeping rhizome and native where rainfall is plentiful; appears in the forests of Indian, Ceylon and Malaysia. It is mainly cultivated in Guatemala and India. Flowers are small, white with blue and yellow lips in long trailing racemes. Leaves are dark green, alternate, lance shaped to 1 foot long. Fruit is a ribbed capsule or pod with 3 cells, each containing 4 to 6 small tan seeds; the pod can be white, green or black.True Cardamom seeds resemble the fragrance of eucalyptus when ground; other seeds which are used as substitutions smell more strongly of camphor.
Long used as a spice, cardamom was first mentioned as a medicinal plant in China about 720 AD.
MEDICINAL:
Pungent, warm, aromatic, expectorant, stimulant, tonic, antispasmodic, carminative; effects lung and kidneys.Has been used internally for indigestion, nausea, vomiting, liver problems, gallbladder problems, sore throat, tendency to infection, bedwetting, chest congestion, colds, coughs, fever, pulmonary diseases and other complaints of the lung. Contains anti-asthma compounds and some seeds added to coffee have been used to prevent an imminent attack. In cases of emphysema 1 tsp of powdered seeds in juice or tea has been used to give relief.Has been used to improve bile flow from the gall bladder but SHOULD NOT be used in the presence of gall stones as it could precipitate an attack.Seeds have been chewed to relieve flatulence and indigestion as well as for bad breath.Has been used as a tea for headaches.Said to prevent viruses from multiplying.Has been used as a nervous system stimulant to prevent fainting.Has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for bronchial and digestive problems.In Chinese Medicine the small green, unripe seeds [sha ren] are considered best for kidney problems and the large white seeds [bai dou kou] better for lung problems. Used for asthma, stomach problems, hemorrhoids, and bad breath.Often used as a secondary herb to improve performance of angelica, lemon balm, wood betony, coriander, chickweed, parsley, sarsaparilla, wormwood, and thyme. Also used strictly to improve the taste of bitter herbs.Has been used for laryngitis and vaginitis.An uncertain claim ascribes to Cardamom the ability to "detoxify" caffeine and to counteract the mucous-forming quality of dairy products. This claim has never been verified. Has also been used to reduce the gas caused by garlic.Contains 2 androgenic compounds and is believed by residents of the Middle East to be aphrodisiac, but there is no evidence to support the claim.
DOSE:CULINARY:HOUSEHOLD:CRAFT:OTHER:
A tender perennial of Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia with reedlike stems to 10 feet. Leaves are lanceolate appearing in 2 rows along the stem and about 14 inches long. Flowers are orchidlike with a white lip striped in pink in dense spikes on short leafy stalks near the base of the plant. Fruits are thin-walled capsules containing the seeds. First mentioned in Chinese medicine during the Ming dynasty. (Amomum krervanh): Native to Cambodia and Thailand. Stems to 10 feet, leaves to 2 feet long. Fruits contain 5 to 9 round seeds. (Amomum maximum syn A. dealbatum): Found wild in moist teak forests of Java and also cultivated. Leaves are fragrant when crushed. The young shoots and old leafstems are peeled and the heart eaten raw while the young flower clusters and unripe fruits are cooked with rice. The sweet-sour pulp around the seeds is eaten raw. The seeds are used for seasoning. (Amomum subulatum): Native to northern India and Nepal. Used as a substitute for True Cardamom.
(Amomum compactum syn A. kepulaga): Cultivated in Java. The leaves give off a strong turpentine odor when bruised. The young shoots are cooked and eaten with rice. The fruits are used as seasoning. The seeds are chewed to sweeten the breath and to prevent colds. The seeds are used in cakes. (Amomum cardamomum): Used as a substitute for True Cardamom.MEDICINAL:Aromatic, warming, appetite stimulant, digestive aid, antinausea, chologogue, virustatic; affects spleen, stomach, lungs, kidneys.Has been used for indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, nausea of pregnancy, colic, headaches; also to stimulate the gastric flow, increase menstrual flow, treat premature ejaculation, incontinence, stomach pain.In Chinese medicine the underground stem is considered tonic and laxative.
DOSE:CULINARY:BATH:
Native to West Africa and cultivated in Surinam and Guyana. The flowers are solitary and showy. The orange to red fruits are larger than true cardamom and contain glossy brown conical seeds which are used to flavor wine, beer, cordials, liqueurs, ice cream, candy and soft drinks.
RELATED SPECIES:
(Aframomum angustifolium): Stems to 12 feet. Leaves to 15 inches long. Flowers appear in clusters of 3 or 4. Stems and leaves give off a spicy aroma when crushed. The fruits contain an acid pulp and many small brown seeds which are eaten fresh. The dried seeds are used like pepper to season food. In the Arab world seeds are added to coffee and are believed to be aphrodisiac.A warming, tonic herb which affects stomach and kidneys. Has been used medicinally for diarrhea, incontinence, and stomach chills.