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Cardamom Uses and Side Effects

Cardamom is obtained from the dried, almost ripened fruit of Elettaria cardamomum. Only the seeds of the fruit and the oils obtained from the seeds are used to prepare supplements. The active ingredients of cardamom are believed to be the seed’s volatile oils, consisting primarily of cineol, alpha-terponyl acetate, and linalyl acetate. Cardamom may have antiviral properties. It’s available as ground seeds and as a tincture.

Benefits And Uses of Cardamom

Cardamom is used to soothe the stomach and treat dyspepsia. It’s also used for its antispasmodic, antiflatulent, and motility enhancing effects, making it potentially useful in other GI conditions.

Administration

• Ground seeds: Average daily dose is 1.5 g by mouth .
• Tincture: 1 fluid dram per day, by mouth.

Side Effects of Cardamom

Use of cardamom may be associated with gallstone colic. Herbal products prepared with alcohol may cause a disulfiram like reaction.

Patients with gallstones should avoid use. Pregnant and breast-feeding patients should avoid use.

Clinical considerations

• Tinctures may contain a significant amount of alcohol, making them unsuitable for children, alcoholic patients, and patients with liver disease.
• Warn patient not to treat symptoms of gastric distress with cardamom before seeking appropriate medical evaluation because doing so may delay diagnosis of a potentially serious medical condition.
• Instruct patient to promptly report adverse reactions and new signs or symptoms.
• Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining a new prescription.
• Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

The concepts behind the use of cardamom for medicinal purposes and the claims made regarding its effects have not yet been validated scientifically.

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