Rasa (Taste)
Katu, Madhur
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Ela (Lesser cardamom)
An annual herb; rootstock thick.
Medicinal Plant
Ela (Lesser cardamom)
Elettaria cardamomum Maton · Zingiberaceae
An annual herb; rootstock thick.
Scientific Name
Elettaria cardamomum Maton
Family
Zingiberaceae
Hindi Name
IlaIchi
Used Part
Seeds
Botanical Description
About the Ela Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
An annual herb; rootstock thick. Leafy stem, 2.5 to 4cm long. Leaves- Oblong-lanceolate, pubescent beneath. Flowers- in panicle (produced direct from the root-stock). Bracts 2-3 flowered. Flowers- shortly pedicelled; calyx eylindrical, membranous, shortly lobed; corolla-tube shortly exserted, lip larger than the corolla-segments, white sheathed with violet, Fruit-sub globose or oblong capsules. Flowering and fruiting during May to July.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Ruksha, Laghu
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Katu
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Kaphvatahara
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Sheeta
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Hrudya, Shukra nashak,Dipana, Rochan.
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory effect, Gastroprotection, and Mild diuretic properties.
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Bornneol, Camphene, P-cymene,Geraneol, Heptane, D-limonene, Linalool Menthone,methylheptenone, myrcene, nerol, nerylacetate, a- & B-pinenes,saibenene, o- & B-terpeneols, n-alkanes, ascaridole, camphor,citral, citronellal, farnesol, sitosterol, thujene etc.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Ela
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Hrdroga - Sukshma Ela and pippali mul taken with honey.
02
Mutrakrichra- Ela is given along with Dadhi manda.
03
Timira- Ela powder is soaked in goat's urine for three days and applied. (4) Chardi- Eladi churna
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Ela is a key ingredient.
- Eladi curna,
- Eladyarista,
- Eladi Kasaya
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
सूक्ष्मैला द्राविडी तुत्था कोरङ्गी बहुला त्रुटिः । डाला कपोतवर्णा च चन्द्रवाला च निष्कुटी ।। सूक्ष्मैला मूत्रकृच्छ्रघ्नी श्वासकासक्षये हिता। सूक्ष्मैला शीतला स्वादुहृद्या रोचनदीपनी ।। (ध.नि.)