Ela
Elettaria cardamomum
Ela (Elettaria cardamomum) is a plant drug, also called Suksmaila, Truti and Ilayaci, from the Zingiberaceae family. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) and referenced in traditional Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha medicine systems.
| Botanical name | Elettaria cardamomum |
|---|---|
| Family | Zingiberaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Zingiberales |
| Also known as | Ela, Elettaria cardamomum, Cardamom, Green Cardamom, Elaichi, Sukshma Ela |
| 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. |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2759871 · Wikidata Q33466 · NCBI Taxonomy 105181 |
| Sanskrit | एला (elā), सूक्ष्मैला (sūkṣmailā), त्रुटि (truṭi) |
|---|---|
| Hindi | इलायची (ilāyacī), छोटी इलायची (choṭī ilāyacī) |
| Tamil | ஏலம், ஏலக்காய் |
Sources: DDSA, A Practical Hindi-English Dictionary (Univ. of Chicago DSAL), via wisdomlib: 'Ilayachi in Hindi refers in English to: (nf) cardamom'. Species tie corroborated by the Dabur Ayurvedic medicinal plants monograph for Elaichi (इलायची), which gives Elettaria cardamomum as the Latin name.; Dabur Ayurvedic medicinal plants monograph 'Elaichi (इलायची) — Elettaria cardamomum', which lists Hindi names Elaichi, Elachi, Ilachi and Chhoti Elaichi; also AyurTimes' Elaichi monograph for Elettaria cardamomum.; Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary: 'Elā (एला) — cardamoms, the seed of the Eletteria cardamomum, or Alpinia Cardamomum'. Also the Amarakoṣa (cardamom varieties) and multiple Suśruta Saṃhitā citations, per wisdomlib.; University of Madras Tamil Lexicon (via agarathi.com): 'Cardamom-plant, 1. sh., Elettaria cardamomum'; Miron Winslow: 'Cardamom, the plant or seed... Elettaria cardamomum'; J.P. Fabricius: 'the cardamom plant; 2. its seed'.; University of Madras Tamil Lexicon and Fabricius via agarathi.com, under ஏலம்: the entries cover 'the cardamom plant; 2. its seed', with ஏலக்காய் the pod/seed form; Wikipedia-independent corroboration from the Tamil dictionary site valaitamil for cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum).; herbaledu listing for Elettaria cardamomum giving Sanskrit 'Sukshma Ela / Sukshmā, Upakuncika, Tuccha, Korangi, Drāvidi, Truti'; the same Sūkṣmailā head-name is used in Ayurvedic monograph literature for this species.; herbaledu listing for Elettaria cardamomum, Sanskrit synonyms including 'Truti'.. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2010 to 2025, every one with a DOI.
- 3Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- 4Randomised controlled trials
- 5Other clinical studies and reviews
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Ela |
| Latin/Botanical | Elettaria cardamomum |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- 1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol, 45.6% of essential oil)
- alpha-Terpinyl acetate (33.7%)
- Sabinene (3.8%)
- Terpinen-4-ol (2.4%)
- Myrcene (2.2%)
- Limonene
- Quercetin and Kaempferol (flavonoids)
- 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 mechanism through diuretic action, calcium channel blocking, and ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibition
- Antioxidant activity via polyphenol-mediated free radical scavenging and enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defense systems (SOD, catalase)
- 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?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Traditionally used as a digestive aid for nausea, flatulence, and indigestion. Pharmacological studies have reported carminative and antispasmodic effects.
- Traditionally used for asthma and bronchitis. Studies have reported bronchodilatory effects of 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol).
- Traditionally used for teeth and gum infections. Studies have reported antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity against periodontal pathogens.
- Blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials reported reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- Metabolic disorders: randomized clinical trials have reported reductions in TNF-alpha, hs-CRP, and IL-6.
What do recent studies 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. Food science & nutrition. PMID 38268891 · doi: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. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences. PMID 35317114 · doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2021.54417.12228
Summarised reported 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. Journal of the science of food and agriculture. PMID 28480505 · doi: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. Anaerobe. PMID 31430531 · doi:10.1016/j.anaerobe.2019.102089
Studies have reported antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of cardamom extracts, with possible relevance to periodontal infections.
Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. 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
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (seed powder), Essential oil, Tablet, Capsule, 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
Optimal Timing: After meals as digestive aid; chewed directly after meals (traditional); with warm milk at bedtime for sleep quality
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, Linalyl acetate, Limonene, Alpha-terpineol, Myrcene
Synergistic Combinations
- With Sunthi (ginger) and Twak (cinnamon) in Trikatu-related digestive formulations
- With Yashtimadhu for gastric soothing and carminative combination
- With Lavanga (clove) for oral care formulations
- With Jatiphala (nutmeg) for digestive and anti-emetic synergy
- As Prakshepa Dravya (flavoring agent) in many Ayurvedic formulations
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses3
- 2024. The favorable impacts of cardamom on related complications of diabetes: A comprehensive literature systematic reviewDiabetes & metabolic syndrome. PMID 38325073 · doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2024.102947
- 2023. The effect of green cardamom on blood pressure and inflammatory markers among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trialsPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 36181264 · doi:10.1002/ptr.7648
- 2020. A systematic review of the efficacy of alternative medicine in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancyJournal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. PMID 31215276 · doi:10.1080/01443615.2019.1587392
Randomised controlled trials4
- 2025. Comparison of the effect of ice sucking containing peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) with cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) extract on nausea, vomiting, and drug request after laparoscopic cholecystectomyExplore (New York, N.Y.). PMID 40967081 · doi:10.1016/j.explore.2025.103261
- 2017. Cardamom supplementation improves inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in hyperlipidemic, overweight, and obese pre-diabetic women: a randomized double-blind clinical trialJournal of the science of food and agriculture. PMID 28480505 · doi:10.1002/jsfa.8414
- 2017. The effects of green cardamom on blood glucose indices, lipids, inflammatory factors, paraxonase-1, sirtuin-1, and irisin in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity: study protocol for a randomized controlled trialTrials. PMID 28592311 · doi:10.1186/s13063-017-1979-3
- 2010. In vivo enhancement of natural killer cell activity through tea fortified with Ayurvedic herbsPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 19504465 · doi:10.1002/ptr.2889
Other clinical studies and reviews5
- 2025. Cardamom seed bioactives: A review of agronomic factors, preparation, extraction and formulation methods based on emerging technologies to maximize spice aroma economic value and applicationsFood chemistry. PMID 39213971 · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141009
- 2025. Preliminary Assessment of Essential and Potentially Toxic Elements in the Most Common Spices in a Developing Country: Health Hazard ImplicationBiological trace element research. PMID 40316790 · doi:10.1007/s12011-025-04625-x
- 2024. Effect of cardamom consumption on inflammation and blood pressure in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trialsFood science & nutrition. PMID 38268891 · doi:10.1002/fsn3.3738
- 2024. Ayurvedic Herbal Medicines: A Literature Review of Their Applications in Female Reproductive HealthCureus. PMID 38558676 · doi:10.7759/cureus.55240
- 2024. Deciphering the Potentials of Cardamom in Cancer Prevention and Therapy: From Kitchen to ClinicBiomolecules. PMID 39334932 · doi:10.3390/biom14091166
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.