CARDAMOM

Synonym                                              :  Cardamom fruit , Ilayachi .

Biological Source                                  :  It consist of dried ripe fruits of Eletaria Cardamomum .

                                                                

Scientific name                                      :  Eletaria Cardamomum .

Family                                                   :  Zingiperaceae .

Geographical distribution                       :  It is found in India ( Kerala , Karnataka ) , Srilanka .

                                                                

Organoleptic / Morphological evaluation :

            i)   Size                                     -  May vary in different variety .

            ii)  Shape                                  -  Ovate or egg-shaped / Oblong capsule .

            iii) Colour                                 -  Green to Yellow .

            iv)  Odour                                -  Aromatic .

            v)   Taste                                  -  Aromatic , Pleasant , some-what Pungent .

            vi)  Surface                               -  Longitudinally striated .

            vii) Apex                                  -  Beak-shaped .

            viii) Base                                  -  Rounded with remains of stalk .

            ix)   Extra Feature                     -  Each capsule of fruit contains 3-chambers , each chamber consist                                                                of two-rows of seeds about 5 to 10 in number . The seeds are

                                                               3-4 mm in size, very hard to touch , reddish-brown in colour and

                                                               are irregularly triangular in shape , covered with transverse ,                                                                            wrinkles known as Rugate .

Therapeutic uses:

i)                    It is used as an aromatic , carminative and stimulant .

ii)                   It is also a good flavouring-agent .

iii)                 It is used in the form of compound tincture .