Cardamom—known as Ela in Ayurveda—is much more than a fragrant kitchen spice. Whether it’s the small green variety (Elettaria cardamomum) or the bold black one (Amomum subulatum), cardamom has been used for centuries as a natural healer. From balancing your doshas to refreshing your breath and aiding digestion, this powerful pod is a staple in traditional Ayurvedic remedies.
Let’s explore the benefits, uses, and differences between these two types of cardamom—and how you can include them in your daily wellness routine.
🌱 Small Green Cardamom (Sukshma Ela): The Cooling Tri-Dosha Balancer
Ayurvedic Properties:
- Rasa (Taste): Pungent + Sweet
- Virya (Potency): Cooling (Sheeta)
- Effect: Balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
Small green cardamom is ideal for everyday use and suits most body types. Its cooling nature makes it particularly helpful in calming inflammation, soothing digestion, and maintaining oral health.
✅ 7 Health Benefits & How to Use It
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🦷 Freshens Breath & Boosts Oral Health
- Helps fight bad breath, mouth ulcers, and sticky saliva.
- Try This: Gargle with warm water infused with crushed cardamom pods (4–5 pods in 200 ml water).
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🤢 Eases Nausea & Travel Sickness
- Reduces vomiting sensations, especially during travel.
- DIY Mix: Combine 1 tsp cardamom powder with ¼ tsp curry leaf powder. Suck small pinches during travel.
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🔥 Aids Digestion & Reduces Bloating
- Stimulates Agni (digestive fire), promotes better absorption, and soothes indigestion.
- Tip: Chew 1 pod after meals or add to unsweetened paan with fennel, ajwain, and cloves.
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🌬️ Clears Respiratory Pathways
- Helps expel phlegm and manage cough and asthma symptoms.
- Ayurvedic Blend: Take ¼ tsp Sitopaladi Churna (contains cardamom) with honey.
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💧 Supports Urinary Health
- Natural diuretic; relieves burning urination.
- Simple Remedy: Mix 1g cardamom powder in warm milk with a pinch of sugar.
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❤️ Promotes Heart & Blood Vessel Health
- Rich in antioxidants; supports blood pressure regulation and prevents bleeding issues like piles.
- Use This: Combine 1g cardamom powder with 1 tsp ghee and sugar.
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❄️ Cools Down Pitta Imbalance
- Calms acidity, ulcers, and inflammation.
- Try It: Add to milk, herbal teas, or kheer—especially when digestion is strong.
🔥 Big Black Cardamom (Brihat Ela): The Warm Kapha Pacifier
Ayurvedic Properties:
- Rasa (Taste): Pungent + Bitter
- Virya (Potency): Heating (Ushna)
- Effect: Reduces Kapha, may aggravate Pitta or Vata
Big cardamom has stronger heating properties and is best used sparingly. It’s great for Kapha-dominant conditions like cold, congestion, and sluggish digestion.
✅ Top Benefits & How to Use It
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👄 Oral Care: Fights bad breath and mouth infections.
- How: Boil 2 crushed pods in 2 cups of water and gargle.
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🤕 Headache Relief: Especially useful for Kapha-related sinus headaches.
- Apply: Make a paste of crushed big cardamom and apply to the forehead.
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🍛 Enhances Digestion: Stimulates digestive enzymes and warms the system.
- Use: Add a pod or two to spicy curries or sambars.
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🌫️ Clears Respiratory Congestion: Acts as a natural decongestant.
- Inhale: Use in steam or add to warming teas.
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🌿 Soothes Skin Itching: Helps with Kapha-related skin conditions like itching or dullness.
- Apply: Use its paste or decoction for local application (consult an expert first).
⚠️ Note: Avoid black cardamom in hot weather or if you have acidity, rashes, or heat sensitivity.
📊 Quick Comparison: Small vs Big Cardamom
| Aspect | Small Cardamom (Sukshma Ela) | Big Cardamom (Brihat Ela) |
|---|---|---|
| Dosha Action | Balances Vata, Pitta, Kapha | Reduces Kapha only |
| Potency (Virya) | Cooling | Heating |
| Ideal Use | Oral health, acidity, heart care | Congestion, colds, heavy meals |
| Daily Use | ✅ Safe (1–2 pods per day) | ❗ Use occasionally |
| Best Season | Summer, year-round | Winter or rainy season |
✨ Tips for Daily Use
- Daily Wellness: Chew 1 small pod after meals for digestion and breath freshness.
- Milk or Tea: Add crushed cardamom to warm milk or herbal teas to cool the system.
- Heart Health: Mix cardamom powder with ghee and sugar for circulatory benefits.
- Cough Relief: Take with honey for a natural remedy against throat irritation.
🌿 Pro Tip: Cardamom pairs well with honey (for cough) or ghee (for heart)—this enhances its Ayurvedic potency through yogavahi (carrier effect).
❓ Top 5 FAQs About Cardamom in Ayurveda
1. Does cardamom cure bad breath?
Absolutely. Small cardamom has antibacterial properties that freshen your mouth and cleanse your throat.
2. Is cardamom safe during pregnancy?
In small food amounts—yes. But avoid medicinal doses without consulting your doctor or Ayurvedic expert.
3. Which cardamom is better for digestion?
Small cardamom is gentler and better suited for daily use. Big cardamom works well for sluggish, Kapha-heavy digestion.
4. Can it help control blood pressure?
Yes, the antioxidants in small cardamom support blood circulation and may help lower BP naturally.
5. Why avoid big cardamom in summer?
Because of its strong heating nature, it can aggravate Pitta, leading to issues like acidity, skin rashes, or heat sensitivity.
🪷 Final Thoughts
Cardamom is truly a super spice in Ayurveda. Small cardamom can be a daily wellness companion—soothing your digestion, calming inflammation, and refreshing your breath. Big cardamom, while potent, is best reserved for specific issues like colds or Kapha-related blockages.
Use them wisely, and these tiny pods can deliver big health benefits!