Cardamom comes from the seeds of several different plants that belong to the same family as ginger. It has a distinctive flavor that complements both sweet and savory dishes. People may use cardamom seeds and pods in curries, desserts, and meat dishes, as well as in beverages, such as coffee and chai tea. Cardamom is an herb that is often used as a spice in foods. The seeds and the oil from the seeds are sometimes used to make medicine. Cardamom contains chemicals that might kill some bacteria, reduce swelling, and help the immune system. Cardamom is used for diabetes, high cholesterol, build up of fat in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD), and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use.
