Evidence supporting the use of: Cardamom
For the body system: Parasympathetic Nervous System

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) has a longstanding history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Unani. In these systems, cardamom is often prescribed to balance the body's energies, aid digestion, and promote relaxation, which are seen as supportive of the parasympathetic nervous system's functions—namely, "rest and digest" activities. Ayurvedic texts sometimes mention cardamom for its calming effects and its use in formulas for stress and anxiety reduction. However, direct references to the “parasympathetic nervous system” are absent in historical literature, as the concept is rooted in modern physiology rather than traditional frameworks.

Scientifically, there is limited direct evidence supporting cardamom's effect on the parasympathetic nervous system. Some animal studies suggest cardamom extracts may reduce blood pressure and induce mild anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects, which could be loosely interpreted as supporting parasympathetic activity. However, human studies are scarce, and most research focuses on cardamom's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and digestive properties, rather than its influence on autonomic nervous system balance. Therefore, while traditional use supports the idea of cardamom promoting relaxation and calm, robust scientific validation specific to the parasympathetic nervous system is lacking.

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