Last verified: 17 days ago
Cardamom
Also known as: Elettaria cardamomum, green cardamom, black cardamom, Amomum subulatum
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Spice with anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties. Early clinical evidence; most research is preliminary.
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What it does
Cardamom is a culinary spice from the ginger family used in both cooking and traditional medicine. Clinical trials suggest it may reduce inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, CRP) in women with PCOS...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
3 g/day (green cardamom); extract doses vary by form
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Found in
What the Science Says
Cardamom is a culinary spice from the ginger family used in both cooking and traditional medicine. Clinical trials suggest it may reduce inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, CRP) in women with PCOS when taken at 3 g/day alongside a low-calorie diet, and may help ease nausea and vomiting after surgery when used as aromatherapy or sublingual extract. A small randomized trial also found that a black cardamom fruit extract improved attention, working memory, and processing speed in healthy adults within hours of a single dose.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to treat or cure PCOS on its own — the inflammation study combined it with a calorie-restricted diet. No evidence it burns fat or causes weight loss by itself. The cognitive benefits come from a single acute-dose study; don't expect long-term brain transformation. Anti-cancer claims are based on lab experiments and animal studies only — not human trials. No proven benefit for heart or kidney disease in humans yet.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Cardamom aromatherapy and sublingual extract reduce nausea and vomiting after surgery.
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: Essential oil via inhalation or sublingual ice cube (6 drops of 10% extract)
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
3 g/day green cardamom lowers inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, CRP) in obese women with PCOS.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 3 g/day for 4 months
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Black cardamom extract improves reaction time, attention, and working memory in healthy adults within hours.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no pharmacokinetic studies were included in the provided papers. Essential oil forms (inhalation, sublingual) bypass digestion entirely.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Most human trials are small (under 200 participants) and conducted in specific populations (PCOS, surgical patients); results may not generalize
- The cognitive study used a proprietary black cardamom extract (MA2-24) — standard cardamom supplements may not replicate these effects
- Anti-cancer and cardiorenal protection data come entirely from animal and lab studies; do not use as a cancer or kidney disease treatment
- Compound honey syrup study (Paper 3) combined cardamom with multiple other ingredients — impossible to isolate cardamom's contribution
- High-dose cardamom oil (2000 mg/kg) caused mortality in one rat in the toxicity study — avoid mega-dose oil supplements
Products Containing Cardamom
See how Cardamom is used in these analyzed products:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cardamom do?
Spice with anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties. Early clinical evidence; most research is preliminary.
What is the effective dose of Cardamom?
3 g/day (green cardamom); extract doses vary by form
Is Cardamom safe?
Most human trials are small (under 200 participants) and conducted in specific populations (PCOS, surgical patients); results may not generalize
What doesn't Cardamom do?
Not proven to treat or cure PCOS on its own — the inflammation study combined it with a calorie-restricted diet.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25