Abstract

Amomum subulatum Roxb. (Large Cardamom) is a perennial herbaceous crop, cultivated in swampy places across hills around water streams. It has been a well known spice since time immemorial; used as flavouring agent to various dishes indigenous to the Eastern Himalayan region particularly Nepal, Bhutan, and India. Sikkim State of India is the largest producer of cardamom that is around 50% of the world’s production. Large cardamom contains 8.6% moisture, 5% total ash value, 1.5% ash insoluble in acid, 3.5% water soluble ash value, 4.88% alcohol extract, 4% non-volatile ether extract and 91.4% of total solid. It contains 1.95 to 3.32% of essential oil having characteristic aroma and possesses medicinal properties. It is reported as an official drug in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia due to its curative as well as preventive properties for various ailments. The major constituent of large cardamom essential oil is 1,8-cineole. The monoterpene hydrocarbon content is in the range of 5 to 17% of which lamonene, sabeinene, and pinenes are significant components. The terpinols comprise approximately 5 to 7% of the oil. Due to the presence of these compounds, it has pharmacognostic properties such as analgesic, antimicrobial, cardiac stimulant, carminative, diuretic, stomachic etc. This paper recapitulates traditional, phytochemical and biological activities of A. subulatum.

Key words: Amomum subulatum, ethno-medico-botany, physicochemical, phytochemical, biological properties.