English Lesser Cardamom.
Ayurvedic Elaa, Sukshmailaa, Kshudrailaa, Bhrngaparnikaa, Tutthaa, Draavidi, Prithvikaa, Triputaa, Truti, Upkunchikaa.
Unani Heel Khurd.
Siddha/Tamil Yelakkai, 11am.
Folk Ilaayachi.
Eleusine coracana Gaertn. 235
Action Carminative antiemetic, stomachic, orexigenic, anti-gripe, antiasthmatic, bechic, Oil— antispasmodic, antiseptic. Used for flatulence, loss of appetite, colic, bronchitis, asthma. Paste used as balm for headache, husk for rheumatism.
Key application In dyspepsia; also as cholagogue. (German Commission E.)
The seeds yield an essential oil (6— 11% dry basis). The major constituents are, 1,8-cineole and alpha-terpinylacetate, with limonene, alpha-terpineol, sabinene and linalool. The seeds contain palmitic and oleic as dominant fatty acids, besides linoleic and linolenic acids, along with alpha-tocopherol, desmosterol and campesterol.
The extracts of cardamom cause a significant decrease in gastric secretion after 3 h of treatment. The effect of methanol extract is primarily observed as decreased pepsin output.
Terpineol and acetylterpineol, the active principles of cardamom seeds, showed greater penetration enhanc ing capacities than Azone which was used as a comparative penetration enhancer for the diffusion of Prednisolone through mouse skin in vitro.
Volatile components exhibit antimicrobial activity. The oil inhibits aflatoxin synthesis.
The cardamom seed can trigger gallstone colic (spasmodic pain) and is not recommended for self-medication in patients with gallstone. (German Commission E, PDR, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)
Dosage Seed of dried fruit—1—2 g powder. (API Vol I.)
Eleusine coracana Gaertn.
Family Gram ineae; Poaceae.
Habitat A grain crop of Karnataka; also grown on large scale in
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
English Finger Millet, African millet, Ragi.
Ayurvedic Madhuuli, Markatahasta-trna.
Siddha/Tamil Ragi, Kezhvaregu.
