Cardamom refers to several plants of the similar genera Elettaria and Amomum in the ginger family Zingiberaceae. It is the world's third-most expensive spice by weight, outstripped in market value only by saffron and vanilla. Green cardamom is broadly used in South Asia to treat infections in teeth and gums, to prevent and treat throat troubles, congestion of the lungs and pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation of eyelids, and digestive disorders. It is also used to break up kidney and gall stones, and was reportedly once used as an antidote for both snake and scorpion venom. Amomum is used as a spice and as an ingredient in traditional medicine in systems of the traditional Chinese medicine in China, in Ayurveda in India, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
