Origin. - The dried, nearly ripe fruit of Eleltaria repens (Sonnerat) Baillon, a perennial plant 6 to 10 feet (1.8-3.0 M.) high.

Cardamom is indigenous in Hindustan, in the mountainous regions of Malabar.

The same plant furnishes three varieties of cardamoms, known in commerce as the shorts, short-longs, and long-longs.

Description and Properties. - Ovoid or oblong, from 2/5 to 4/5 inch (12 Mm-2 Cm.) long, obtusely triangular, rounded at the base, beaked, longitudinally striate;

of a pale-buff color, three-celled, with a thin, leathery, nearly tasteless pericarp and a central placenta. The seeds are about 1/5 inch (5 Mm.) long and 1/8 inch (3 Mm.) broad, reddish-brown, angular, rugose, depressed at the hilum, surrounded by a thin membranous arillus. They have an agreeable odor and a pungent, aromatic taste. Dose. - 5-15 grains (0.3-1.0 Gm.) [15 grains (1 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparations

Tinctura Cardamomi (20 per cent.) - Tincturae Cardamomi - Tincture of Cardamom. - Dose, 1-2 fluidrams (4.0-8.0 Cc.) [1 dram (4 Cc), U. S. P.].

Tinctura Cardamomi Composita - Tincturae Cardamomi Compositae -Compound Tincture of Cardamom. - Cardamom, 25; Saigon cinnamon, 25; caraway, 12; cochineal, 5; glycerin, 50; dilute alcohol, q. s. ad 1000 parts. Dose, 1-2 fluidrams (4.0-8.0 Cc.) [1 dram (4 Cc.), U. S. P.].

Pulvis Aromaticus - Pulveris Aromatici - Aromatic Powder. - Saigon cinnamon, 35; ginger, 35; cardamom, 15; nutmeg, 15. Dose, 10-30 grains (0.6-2.0 Gm.) [15 grains (1 Gm.), U. S. P.].

There is also a fluidextract, fluidextractum aromaticum, made from this powder. Dose, 10-30 minims (0.6-2.0 Cc.) [15 minims (1 Cc), U. S. P.].

Antagonists and Incompatibles. - Free acids are incompatible with the compound tincture of cardamom, separating insoluble car-minic acid in it.

Physiological Action. - In this respect cardamom conforms to the general character of the Aromatic Group.

Therapeutics. - Essentially the same as for other members of this group. Cardamom is used principally as an adjuvant to other aromatics, stimulants, stomachics, and carminatives.