Ela

  Ela is commonly known as Cardamom . According to Ayurvedic textbooks, Ela is one of the most potent medicinal herbs found. The herb alleviates thirst and improves appetite. It is used to treat numerous diseases. Nowadays the herb is also used as a stimulant and stomachic. Dr. Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Ela in conditions like Dysuria (Mutrakrchra ), Cough (kasa) etc owing to it’s property of alleviating vitiated Vata Pitta doshas as aforementioned conditions are caused by these two doshas. Modern studies showed that the herb contains Phytoconstituents like cinepole, camphene etc and it aids in it’s diuretic and stimulant actions.

General aspects and Geography

Botanical name : Elettaria cardomom       

Family :  Scitaminae 

Habitat: Found through out India

Parts used

• Fruits and Seeds

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Swasahara varga (alleviates respiratory disorders)

Susruta Samhita – Eladi gana

Pharmacological action

• Aromatic 
• Stimulant 
• Carminative 
• Diuretic 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Swasahara ( Alleviate respiratory complaints )
• Dipana (Carminative )
• Kasahara (Alleviate cough)
• Arsoghna (Alleviate Haemorrhoids )

Therapeutic indications

• Dysuria (Mutrakrchra)- Habitual intake of Powder of Ela alleviates Dysuria and retention of urine 
• Cataract (timira)- Powder of Ela is dipped in water for 3 days and then used as a Collyrium to reduce Cataract.

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 0.5 g

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

• Eladi kwatha
• Eladi churna
• Eladi gulika

Morphology :

A plant with woody root stock and spongy sheath stems. Inflorescence are panicles. Fruits are capsules. Seeds are small and blackish.

Vernacular names of Ela

English – cardamom 

Hindi- elachi

Malayalam – elakka

Sanskrit -ela 

Synonyms 

• Bahula
• Triputa
• Thutha

Rasapanchaka 

Rasa- Katu (Acrid ) Madhura (Sweet)

Guna-  Laghu (Light)

Vipaka- Madhura (Sweet)

Virya- Sita (cold)

राला सूक्ष्मा कफश्वासकासार्शोमूत्रकृच्छ्रहृत् ।

रसे तु कटुका शीता लध्वी वातहरी मता ।।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -kKarpuradi varga-shloka 63)

  Ela alleviate Vata Pitta doshas because of it’s properties like Sweet taste and cold potency . Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr. Varun Ram Raj, uses the herb to Ela to prepare new combination of medicines to cure diseases involving the vitiation of these two doshas and also to promote health.

Frequently asked Questions

1. What are the uses of Eladi kashaya?

Decoction of Ela is used to treat Dysuria (Mutrakrchra ).

2. What is the Dosage of Eladi kwatha?

          Eladi kwatha can be taken internally at a dose of 60 ml for an adult.