Cardamom Essential Oil

Botanical Name: Elettaria cardamomum

Plant Part: Seeds

Extraction Method: Steam

Origin: India

Description: A perennial, reed-like herb, Cardamom grows wild and is cultivated in India and Sri Lanka. It grows up to 4 meters (13 feet) and has long, green silky blades, small yellow flowers with a violet tip and a large fleshy rhizome, similar to ginger. Oblong grey fruits follow the flowers, each containing many seeds.

Colour: Pale yellow

Common Uses: Cardamom is particularly helpful for the digestive system. It works as a laxative and soothes colic, wind, dyspepsia and nausea, even pregnancy nausea. It warms the stomach and helps with heartburn. As a massage oil or diluted in the bath, Cardamom oil can assist with: digestive system, coughs and as a general tonic.

Consistency: Light

Note: Top

Strength of Aroma: Strong

Blends well with: Rose, Orange, Bergamot, Cinnamon, Cloves, Caraway and Cedarwood.

Aromatic Scent: Cardamom essential oil is sweet, spicy and almost balsamic in fragrance.

History: Cardamom was well known in ancient times. The Egyptians used it in perfumes and incense and chewed it to whiten their teeth. The Romans used it for their stomachs when they over-indulged. The Arabs used it grounded in their coffee.