Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum): The Queen of Spices & Its Therapeutic Potential

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), commonly referred to as the “Queen of Spices,” is one of the most valued and widely used spices in the world [1]. It belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and is native to the tropical forests of Southern India and Sri Lanka [2]. Cardamom has been used for centuries in culinary, medicinal, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications due to its pleasant aroma, flavor, and therapeutic properties [3,4]. The spice contains volatile oils, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and various bioactive constituents responsible for antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, digestive, and cardioprotective effects [5,6]. Cardamom cultivation plays an important economic role in countries such as India, Guatemala, and Sri Lanka [7]. This review paper discusses the taxonomy, morphology, cultivation practices, phytochemical composition, medicinal properties, pharmacological activities, industrial applications, and future prospects of cardamom [4,5]. The paper also highlights the importance of cardamom in traditional medicine and modern pharmaceutical research [8].