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Ela एला
Elettaria cardamomum · Zingiberaceae
Also known as: Cardamom, Elaichi, Elaichi Chhoti, Chhoti Elaichi
Part used: Seed
Ela (Elettaria cardamomum) is green cardamom, used in Ayurveda as a digestive, breath-freshening and mildly cooling aromatic. Unusually among the warming spices it does not aggravate Pitta, which is why it appears in both digestive and cooling formulations, and it is one of the four Chaturjata aromatics.
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Elettaria cardamomum
- Part used: Seed
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Seed powder 0.5–1 g; commonly used in digestive and respiratory formulas and as a mouth freshener.
Ela in other languages
Introduction
Ela (green cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum) is the fragrant "queen of spices," used to freshen the breath, aid digestion and soothe the airways. Aromatic and gently cooling, it is a favourite in both kitchen and medicine.
Classification
Of the Zingiberaceae family, Ela is grouped among the Deepana (digestive) and aromatic Kapha-Vata-pacifying dravyas. Its pungent-sweet taste and cooling potency freshen and settle the stomach.
Uses & benefits
Cardamom is a Deepana and Rochana drug used for poor appetite, nausea and abdominal discomfort, and as a Mukhashodhana for bad breath and a stale mouth. It is also given in cough and hoarseness, and is added to heavy formulations to make them easier on the stomach.
Ela for nausea
A classical anti-emetic, chewed or taken as a powder for nausea, morning sickness and travel sickness.
Ela for indigestion
Deepana and Pachana without being strongly heating — the reason it suits people who cannot take the hotter spices.
Ela for bad breath
Chewing a pod after food is the oldest and most widespread use of cardamom across India.
Ela for burning urination
A Mutrala drug used in cystitis and burning micturition, often with Chandana and Ushira.
Ela for cough
Used in Kasa where the cough is dry and irritable, its aromatic quality soothing rather than drying.
Ela for hiccups
Named in Hikka, a classical indication that survives in domestic practice.
Ela for asthma
Used in Shwasa within compounds such as Talisadi and Sitopaladi.
Ela in Chaturjata
One of the four aromatics with cinnamon, cassia leaf and Nagkesar, used to make other formulations palatable and better absorbed.
Ela for heart
Described as Hridya, used where palpitation accompanies indigestion or anxiety.
Ela in Sitopaladi Churna
A component of the classical cough powder, one of the most-prescribed preparations in Ayurveda.
Dosage — how much to take
Seed powder 0.5–1 g; commonly used in digestive and respiratory formulas and as a mouth freshener. Follow your Vaidya's advice.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Ela?
The citations held for Ela in this catalogue are: Charaka Samhita (Deepaniya context); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Karpuradi Varga).
What does the Charaka Samhita record about Ela?
Cited among digestive spices. Reference: Charaka Samhita — Deepaniya context.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Ela?
Described as Deepana and aromatic. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Karpuradi Varga.
What is Ela traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Cardamom is a Deepana and Rochana drug used for poor appetite, nausea and abdominal discomfort, and as a Mukhashodhana for bad breath and a stale mouth. It is also given in cough and hoarseness, and is added to heavy formulations to make them easier on the stomach.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Ela?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Ela classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Ela carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Ela is used medicinally?
The part used is Seed.
How much Ela is taken, and how?
Seed powder 0.5–1 g; commonly used in digestive and respiratory formulas and as a mouth freshener. Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Ela be avoided?
Very safe as a food spice; large medicinal doses used moderately.
Where does Ela grow?
Cardamom is a perennial of the shaded, humid forests of the Western Ghats in South India, cultivated in Kerala and Karnataka.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Karpuradi Varga
Described as Deepana and aromatic. - Charaka Samhita — Deepaniya context
Cited among digestive spices.
Modern research
-
Effect of cardamom consumption on inflammation and blood pressure in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Heydarian et al.. Food Science & Nutrition (2024)
A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials finding cardamom consumption reduced markers of inflammation and blood pressure in adults.
View study doi:10.1002/fsn3.3738 -
The effect of cardamom supplementation on serum lipids, glycemic indices and blood pressure in overweight and obese pre-diabetic women: a randomized controlled trial
(see source). Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders (2017)
A randomized controlled trial reporting green cardamom (Ela) supplementation favourably affected serum lipids, glycaemic indices and blood pressure in overweight/obese pre-diabetic women.
View study doi:10.1186/s40200-017-0320-8
Safety & precautions
Very safe as a food spice; large medicinal doses used moderately.
Where it grows
Cardamom is a perennial of the shaded, humid forests of the Western Ghats in South India, cultivated in Kerala and Karnataka.
Frequently asked questions
What is cardamom used for in Ayurveda?
Ela is used for nausea, indigestion, bad breath, dry cough, hiccups, asthma and burning urination. It is one of the few aromatic spices that is warming to digestion without aggravating Pitta, so it suits people who cannot tolerate stronger spices.
What is the dose of Ela?
Seed powder 1–2 g per day, or one to two pods chewed after food. It is more often used as an adjuvant in compounds than taken alone at a therapeutic dose.
Does cardamom help with nausea?
Yes — it is a classical anti-emetic, and chewing a pod or taking the powder with honey is a standard remedy for nausea, including morning sickness and travel sickness.
What is the difference between green and black cardamom?
Green cardamom is Elettaria cardamomum, the Ela of the texts — sweet, aromatic and mildly cooling. Black cardamom is Amomum subulatum, larger, smoky and more strongly heating. They are not interchangeable in a formulation.
Can cardamom be taken daily?
Yes. It is a culinary spice used daily across India with a long safety record, and chewing a pod after meals is normal practice rather than treatment.
Are there side effects of cardamom?
Very few at culinary or classical doses. Large amounts may cause gallbladder discomfort in people with gallstones. It is generally safe in pregnancy at food quantities.
What is Chaturjata?
A group of four aromatics — cardamom, cinnamon bark, cassia leaf and Nagkesar — added to classical formulations to improve taste, absorption and Kapha-clearing action. They appear together across a large number of preparations.
