The botanical name of Cardamom is “Elettaria cardamomum” and it belongs to family Scitaminaceae zingiberceae. Ayurvedic texts mention two types of Cardamom namely suksma (Small Cardamom) and brihat (Big Cardamom). The small variety is commonly used as medicine whereas the big Variety is mostly used in Spices. Cardamom grows in Humid forests of India and is cultivated throughout the country. It is a large perennial herb with thick fleshy or woody rhizome which in turn gives off fibrous roots below.   Ayurvedic Energetics Taste - Pungent and sweet Post digestive effect - Sweet Potency - Cold . Attributes - Light and Dry.   Ten Benefits of Cardamom 1. To increase appetite: To increase appetite, appetizers are used as a food or drink that stimulates the appetite and is usually served before a meal. Cardamom is best appetiser, vermicide and improves the sensation of taste.   2. Offensive breath: Halitosis is the Medical term use for bad breath. Halitosis basically refers to the unpleasant odors emanating from the mouth, intensity of which differs according to food eaten such as garlic, onion,redmeat, fish etc. It is generally worse upon awakening (morning breath) because anaerobic bacterica in the mouth had hours to proliferate and produce volatiles. Cardamom is an effective gargle in bad smell of oral cavity and other dental ailments .    

3. Vomiting: It is the Invountary, Forceful expulsion of content of stomach through mouth and sometimes nose. It can be caused by wide variety of conditions e.g gastritis, Tumours etc. Vomiting due to vitiated kapha mitigated with Cardamom Powder and honey Cardamom decoction effectively controls Vomiting and Improves digestion.

5. Expectorant: Expectorant is the medication that helps bring up mucus and other materials from the Lungs, bronchi and trachea. The Combination of Cardamom and Sunthi (0.5gm each) given along with honey, wards off the blocked phlegm in cough.