Botanical Name -Amomum subulatum Roxb.
Family Name -Zingiberaceae (Ginger family)
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/301
Vernacular Names
- Hindi: Badi Elaichi, Moti Elaichi
- English: Greater Cardamom, Nepal Cardamom
- Tamil: Periya Elam
- Malayalam: Valiya Elam
- Telugu: Pedda Elaki
- Kannada: Dodd Elakki
Synonyms
बहदेला तुवरिका सुगन्धा त्रिपुटा च सा।”
(Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Dhanya Varga)
Classification (Charak, Sushruta, Vagbhata, Bhav Prakash)
- Charak: Shoolaprashamana (pain-relieving), Deepaniya (digestive stimulant)
- Sushruta: Eladi Gana
- Vagbhata: Eladi Varga
- Bhav Prakash: Dhanya Varga (group of grains/spices)
Habitat & Distribution
– Habitat: Grows in subtropical forests, humid regions.
– Distribution: Native to Eastern Himalayas (Nepal, Bhutan, India—Sikkim, Darjeeling). Cultivated in Northeast India.
Morphology
- Plant: Perennial herb, 1.5–2.5 m tall.
- Leaves: Lanceolate, 30–60 cm long.
- Flowers: Pale yellow with red veins.
- Fruit (Capsule): Reddish-brown, triangular, 2–4 cm long, containing aromatic seeds.
Varieties
No significant varieties, but closely related to *Elettaria cardamomum (Choti Elaichi).
Substitute/Adulterant
– Substitute: Elettaria cardamomum (small cardamom) in lower doses.
– Adulterant: Inferior quality seeds or other *Amomum species.
Phytochemicals
- Essential oils (1,8-cineole, terpinyl acetate, limonene).
- Flavonoids, tannins, fixed oils.
Rasapanchaka
- Rasa: Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter)
- Guna: Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
- Virya: Ushna (hot potency)
- Vipaka: Katu (pungent post-digestive effect)
- Prabhava: Digestive stimulant
- Dosha Shamakta: Kapha-Vatahara (reduces Kapha and Vata)
Karma (Rogaghnata)
– Deepana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), Shoolaghna (pain-relieving), Hridya (cardiotonic).
Amayika Prayoga/Therapeutic Uses
External
– Oil used in joint pain (mixed with base oil).
Internal
– Digestive disorders: Powder with honey for indigestion.
– Respiratory issues: Decoction for cough and asthma.
– Cardiac tonic: Seed infusion.
Part Used
- Seeds, fruit (capsule).
Dose
- Powder: 1–3 g
- -Decoction: 50–100 ml
Yoga/Formulations
– Eladi Churna (digestive powder)
– Brihat Eladi Kwath (for respiratory conditions)
IUCN Status
Not evaluated (cultivated widely, not threatened).
Research Updates
1. 2020: Study on Amomum subulatum essential oil showed gastroprotective effects (Journal of Ethnopharmacology).
2. 2021: Antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens (Ayurveda Research Paper).
3. 2022: Clinical trial on dyspepsia management (CCRAS Publication).
