Abstract

Manish Grover*

ABSTRACT

Elettaria cardamomum Maton, commonly called ?Green Cardamom‘ in English and ?Choti Elaichi‘ in Hindi, is an important aromatic spice that belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. It is used in food and confectionery due to its extraordinary flavor and aroma. The plant is mainly characterized by its rich volatile oil content comprises of many important phytochemical constituents such as 1, 8-cineole, ?-thujene, ?-pinene, sabinene, ?-pinene, ?- myrcene and ?-terpinene etc. The plant is famous in various folk medication systems around the world whereas it has special mentions in many of the ancient Ayurvedic works of literature including Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Bhavaprakasha. It is used in number of Ayurvedic polyherbal formulations. The plant exhibits many important therapeutic activities like anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, gastro-protective, neuroprotective and anti-oxidant etc. The aim of the present review is to summarize the therapeutic and pharmacological potential of Elettaria cardamomum along with its importance in the traditional medication systems.