Elettaria Cardamomum Major vs Illicium verum

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Elettaria Cardamomum Major

Elettaria cardamomum var. major

Digestive

Digestive

Elettaria Cardamomum Major

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Illicium verum

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Larger cardamom variety from Nepal and Eastern India used in Tibetan and Ayurvedic medicine for digestive and respiratory conditions.

East Asian spice; rich in anethole and shikimic acid (Tamiflu precursor); digestive and antiviral properties.

Active Compounds

1,8-cineole, alpha-terpineol, borneol, camphor

anethole, shikimic acid, estragole, foeniculin, flavonoids

Traditional Uses

digestive tonic in Tibetan medicine, respiratory treatment in Ayurveda, warming spice in high altitude medicine

digestive complaints, cough, antiviral, infant colic, menstrual disorders

Modern Uses

digestive, expectorant, carminative

digestive carminative, expectorant, antiviral source (shikimic acid), anti-inflammatory

Adult Dosage

1-3g pods or 500mg extract

1-3g pods as tea 2-3x/day; 300-500mg extract

Contraindications

gallstones - bile stimulation

pregnancy (large doses), estrogen-sensitive conditions, Japanese star anise (toxic species) confusion

Side Effects

rare GI upset

estrogenic effects, GI upset, neurotoxicity if Japanese star anise confused

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E