Cardamom Plantaion and trade in Kerala
Cardamom is grown in the tropical rain forest plantations of Kerala.There are mainly three natural varieties of green cardamom plants.Among those, Malabar is the native variety of Kerala. These plants have panicles which grow horizontally along the ground.The fruit capsule of cardamom encloses the seeds which is dried and used as a spice.
cardamom is used as flavoring in both food and drink,as a cooking spice and as a medicine.Cardamom is called as 'Elakkai' by Malayalees.
Green cardamom in South Asia is broadly used to treat infections in teeth and gums, to prevent and treat throat troubles, congestion of the lungs and pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation of eyelids and also digestive disorders. It also is used to break up kidney stones and gall stones.
Large scale cardamoms are grown in the hills of Idukki district .Vandanmedu,Kattappana and Murikkady are the important places among them.