# Ela

> Ela (Elettaria cardamomum) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Zingiberaceae family. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) and referenced in traditional Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha medicine systems.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Elettaria cardamomum
- **Family:** Zingiberaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) and referenced in traditional Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha medicine systems. Historical use documented since 4th century BCE. Not currently listed as a standalone WHO monograph; recognized by Indian pharmacopoeia standards for digestive, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Ela |
| Latin/Botanical | *Elettaria cardamomum* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- 1,8-[Cineole](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#cineole) (eucalyptol, 45.6% of essential oil)
- alpha-Terpinyl acetate (33.7%)
- [Sabinene](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sabinene) (3.8%)
- Terpinen-4-ol (2.4%)
- [Myrcene](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#myrcene) (2.2%)
- [Limonene](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#limonene)
- [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/) and [Kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/) ([flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/))
- [Rutin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#rutin) (flavonoid glycoside)

## How does it work?

- 1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol) exerts anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 production via NF-kB pathway suppression
- [Antihypertensive](/glossary/pharmacology/#antihypertensive) mechanism through [diuretic](/reference/diuretic/) action, calcium channel blocking, and ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibition
- [Antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) activity via polyphenol-mediated free radical scavenging and enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defense systems (SOD, catalase)
- [Anticancer](/reference/anticancer/) mechanisms include induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of cell migration through modulation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways
- Antimicrobial action of 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol through disruption of microbial cell membrane and interference with cellular respiration

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Digestive aid for nausea, flatulence, and indigestion - confirmed by pharmacological studies showing carminative and [antispasmodic](/glossary/pharmacology/#antispasmodic) effects
- Respiratory relief for asthma and bronchitis - validated by studies demonstrating bronchodilatory effects of 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol)
- Oral health for teeth and gum infections - confirmed by RCTs showing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity against periodontal pathogens
- Blood pressure lowering - validated by meta-analysis of RCTs showing significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure
- Anti-inflammatory for metabolic disorders - confirmed by RCTs demonstrating significant reduction in TNF-alpha, hs-CRP, and IL-6

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Heydarian A, Tahvilian N, Shahinfar H and others 2024. [Effect of cardamom consumption on inflammation and blood pressure in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38268891/). *Food science & nutrition*. PMID [38268891](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38268891/) · [doi:10.1002/fsn3.3738](https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3738)  
  Meta-analysis of 8 RCTs (595 patients) showed cardamom supplementation significantly reduces inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha, hs-CRP, IL-6) and blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders.
- Yahyazadeh R, Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar M, Razavi BM and others 2021. [The effect of Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom) on the metabolic syndrome: Narrative review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35317114/). *Iranian journal of basic medical sciences*. PMID [35317114](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35317114/) · [doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2021.54417.12228](https://doi.org/10.22038/IJBMS.2021.54417.12228)  
  Confirmed lipid-modifying, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antithrombotic properties of green cardamom attributed to polyphenol compounds, with therapeutic potential for metabolic syndrome.
- Kazemi S, Yaghooblou F, Siassi F and others 2017. [Cardamom supplementation improves inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in hyperlipidemic, overweight, and obese pre-diabetic women: a randomized double-blind clinical trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28480505/). *Journal of the science of food and agriculture*. PMID [28480505](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28480505/) · [doi:10.1002/jsfa.8414](https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.8414)  
  Double-blind RCT in 80 pre-diabetic women showed 3 g/day cardamom for 8 weeks significantly improved inflammatory markers and oxidative stress biomarkers compared to placebo.
- Souissi M, Azelmat J, Chaieb K and others 2020. [Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) extracts: Potential therapeutic benefits for periodontal infections](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31430531/). *Anaerobe*. PMID [31430531](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31430531/) · [doi:10.1016/j.anaerobe.2019.102089](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anaerobe.2019.102089)  
  Validated antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of cardamom extracts with specific therapeutic potential for managing periodontal infections.

*1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Generally considered non-toxic and safe for culinary use; no mortalities observed in animal studies up to doses of 2 g/kg extract and 0.75 mL/kg essential oil
- Neurotoxicity observed at high doses (1.5 g/kg extract, 0.75 mL/kg essential oil) in rotarod tests in animal studies; excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal disturbances
- Limited number of human clinical trials with small sample sizes; further large-scale prospective studies with longer treatment durations needed to establish complete safety profile for therapeutic use

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Cineole
- Sabinene
- Myrcene
- Limonene
- Quercetin
- Kaempferol
- Flavonoids
- Rutin

**Analytical Methods:** HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (seed powder), Essential oil, Tablet, Capsule, [Arka](/herb/arka/) (distillate), Tincture, Confectionery/culinary preparations

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3g seed powder twice daily; 500mg extract capsule twice daily; essential oil: 1-2 drops in warm water or carrier; 2-5ml tincture

**Bioavailability:** Elettaria cardamomum (green cardamom) essential oil (2-8% in seeds) contains 1,8-cineole (20-50%) and alpha-terpinyl acetate (30-40%) as major components. These small monoterpenoids have excellent oral bioavailability (>60%) due to high lipophilicity and small molecular size. Rapid absorption from GI tract with peak plasma levels at 30-60 minutes. First-pass metabolism is moderate. The volatile nature means hot preparations lose significant active content - cold or warm (not boiling) preparations preferred. Enhancement not typically required due to inherent good bioavailability; however, enteric coating of essential oil capsules prevents gastric volatilization.

**Optimal Timing:** After meals as digestive aid; chewed directly after meals (traditional); with warm milk at bedtime for sleep quality

**Standardized Extract:** Essential oil: standardized to NLT 35% alpha-terpinyl acetate and NLT 20% 1,8-cineole by GC-MS. Oleoresin: 50-55% volatile oil. Seed extract: NLT 4% essential oil by distillation assay.

**Shelf Life:** Whole pods: 2-3 years; Powder: 6-12 months (volatile loss); Essential oil: 3-5 years (sealed amber bottle); Capsule/tablet: 2 years

**Storage:** Whole pods in airtight containers at room temperature - most stable form. Powder: airtight, nitrogen-flushed, opaque containers, use quickly. Essential oil: amber glass, cool dark place, tightly sealed. Avoid heat and light exposure.

**Marker Compounds:** 1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol), Alpha-terpinyl acetate, [Linalool](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#linalool), Linalyl acetate, Limonene, Alpha-terpineol, Myrcene

### Extraction Methods

- Steam distillation of crushed seeds for essential oil
- Supercritical CO2 extraction (superior quality, higher alpha-terpinyl acetate retention)
- Hydrodistillation (traditional [Arka](/herb/arka/))
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40) for non-volatile constituents
- Cold-pressing of seeds (low yield)

### Synergistic Combinations

- With Sunthi ([ginger](/herb/ginger/)) and Twak (cinnamon) in [Trikatu](/herb/trikatu/)-related digestive formulations
- With [Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) for gastric soothing and carminative combination
- With [Lavanga](/herb/lavanga/) (clove) for oral care formulations
- With [Jatiphala](/herb/jatiphala/) (nutmeg) for digestive and anti-emetic synergy
- As Prakshepa Dravya (flavoring agent) in many Ayurvedic formulations

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/ela/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.