Ayurveda

Cardamom is used in traditional Ayurveda formulas as a stimulant due to its warming properties. Though it is used as a digestive stimulant commonly, the warming effects extend to the body as a whole in general. This herb is especially good for children as the pungent effects are milder on the stomach compared to black pepper, pippali or cayenne pepper. It can help calm the nervous digestive issues in children and in Vata types as well ( David Frawley, 2000).

Used in anti emetic formulas, this herb can prevent vomiting along with other herbs. It is also used in the candida formula as a warming agent.

Cardamom helps counter anorexia, gas, bloating, colic, distention, belching and flatulence when it comes to the digestive tract. It is a digestive stimulant, an aromatic herb, carminative, stomachic that can help with regaining sense of taste, poor absorption and indigestion.

As a diaphoretic herb, it assists in stimulating sweating by increasing the body heat to dispel excess water in the body. Along with that use, it is used to stimulate water metabolism. It is also used as an anti spasmodic, especially in the digestive tract.

As an expectorant, Cardamom is used to treat coughs, decrease mucus, remove phlegm, colds, bronchitis, asthma, hoarse voice. It is also used as a smoking herb in formulas to treat the lungs. This is a great herb to remove excess Kapha issues such as mucus, phlegm and slow digestion.

Circulation promoting properties of Cardamom renders it as a heart friendly herb that stimulates the heart and mind, giving both clarity and joy. Other heart related benefits are that it energizes the heart and uplifts the emotions. These fall into the more spiritual side of Ayurveda in the areas of mental and emotional well being.

Being one of the most commonly and frequently used herb is probably due to its popularity in cooking. A vital ingredient in the Yogic chai tea, it gives a boost of energy, helps balance blood sugar and assists in digesting milk. Popular flavoring agent as well as sugar and dairy digestive aid used in desserts and a must have in meat dishes, Cardamom is commonly found in every kitchen in Asia.

Western Herbology

As a herb that migrated from the east, Western herbalists also categorize Cardamom as a stimulant, a digestive aid and a mild laxative. One of the main uses other than to stimulate digestion is the use of it as an aromatic carminative to reduce gas or flatulence. The use of it as a cooking herb in the East has influenced the West to make use of it to help digest proteins, carbohydrates and dairy products (Steve Shechter, 2002).

Other uses are to help absorb nutrients, enhance immunity, soothe nervous system related headaches, improve volume of breast milk and as a lung tonic (Steve Shechter, 2002).

Michael Tierra mentions in his book Planetary Herbology that Cardamom is used for gastralgia, enuresis, spermatorrhea, phlegm, indigestion and gas. He goes further to mention the use of this herb in lung tonics formulas as a warming, anti mucus agent. The qualities stated are carminative, warming and an aid to digest dairy products. With reference to Chinese medicinal uses of this herb, the book recommends this as a chi tonic as well (Planetary Herbology, 1988).

Another Western herbalist states Cardamom as an appetizer, carminative, stimulant, stomachic and helps with flatulence. The use of Cardamom in cooking has increased much. It is now used in cooking, preserving and flavoring of fruits as well as desserts due to its sugar level lowering and sugar digestion aiding properties (The Herb Book, 2009).

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Cardamom is traditionally used in many liver formulas, such as Shu Gan Wan pill, to stimulate and move chi that is stagnant. The uses are very similar to Ayurveda in this case, especially the uses of Bai Dou Kou, which is the white large cardamom. We can note that the stimulating and Prana/ Chi moving effects are similar in Sha Ren as well as Bai Dou Kou in Ayurveda and TCM.

Another similar use is for the digestive system stimulant as well as to move stagnant chi from stomach and spleen (Practice of Chinese Medicine, 1994). It is also used to relieve the feeling of fullness from epigastrum and heaviness in chest.

Other uses of Cardamom or Bai Dou Kou are to dispel dampness from the body. Formulas like Huo Po Xia Ling Tang uses this herb to fragrantly dispel dampness through sweating. It also help reduce body aches and stops vomiting (Practice of Chinese Medicine, 1994).