Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Chinese Herbs

Thursday 14 November 2013

Chinese Herbs– Cao Guo (Fructus Amomi Tsao-Ko)

Cao Gou also Known as Cardamom. The acrid, warm, aromic herb has been used in TCM to stomach pain, flatulence, belching, indigestion, vomiting, malarial disorders, etc. as it dries Dampness, warms the Middle Burner, etc., by enhancing the functions of spleen and stomach channels.

Ingredients

1. 1,8-cineole

2. Trans-2-undecenal

3. α–pinene

4. β-pinene

5. Camphor

6. Linalool

7. p-cymene

8. Nonanal

9. Decanal

10. A-terpineol,

11. Neral-a and -b

12. Geraniol

13. Nerolidol

14. Geranial

15. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Blood pressure, fibrinolysis and antioxidant
In the investigation of Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton. (Small cardamom) fruit powder and its effects in cardiovascular desieases found that the fruit powder antioxidant significantly (p<0.05) increased by 90% at the end of 3 months and effectively reduces blood pressure, enhances fibrinolysis, according to the study of “Blood pressure lowering, fibrinolysis enhancing and antioxidant activities of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)” byVerma SK, Jain V, Katewa SS.(1)
2. Anti-cancers
In the investigation of black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) and it immunomodulatory effects found that black pepper and cardamom extracts significantly enhance the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells by exerting immunomodulatory roles and antitumor activities, according to the study of “In vitro investigation of the potential immunomodulatory and anti-cancer activities of black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)” by Majdalawieh AF, Carr RI.(2)
3. Colorectal cancer
In the evaluation of to searching for some novel plant products of which may have possible anticarcinogenic activity found that cinnamon and cardamom on azoxymethane induced colon carcinogenesis by virtue of their anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity, according to the study of “Inhibition of lipid peroxidation and enhancement of GST activity by cardamom and cinnamon during chemically induced colon carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice” by Bhattacharjee S, Rana T, Sengupta A.(3)
4. Diuretic and sedative effects
In the observation of and it diuretic and sedative activities effects found that cardamom exhibits gut excitatory and inhibitory effects mediated through cholinergic and Ca++ antagonist mechanisms respectively and lowers BP via combination of both pathways. The diuretic and sedative effects may offer added value in its use in hypertension and epilepsy, according to the study of “Gut modulatory, blood pressure lowering, diuretic and sedative activities of cardamom” by Gilani AH, Jabeen Q, Khan AU, Shah AJ.(4)
5. Platelet aggregation and lipid peroxidation
In the study of cardamom extract and it effects in platelet aggregation and lipid peroxidation found that an increase in concentration of cardamom has decreased the MDA formation significantly. Hence, it may be said that aqueous extract of cardamom may have component(s), which protect platelets from aggregation and lipid peroxidation, according to the study of “Cardamom extract as inhibitor of human platelet aggregation” by Suneetha WJ, Krishnakantha TP.(5)
6. Etc.
Side Effects
1. Cao guo processed by smoking can be carcinogens if use for prolonged of time
2. Overdose may be toxic
3. Do not use the herb if you are pregnant or breast feeding with out the consulting with related field specialist
4. Etc.