Cardamom is a perennial shrub up to four meters high with very long leaves. Flowers are small, yellow with purple tips. Essential oil is extracted from seeds and pods that are gathered between September and March, just before they are ripe. The plantations in Guatemala are located at altitudes ranging from 2 000 to 4 000 ft, in areas where the soils are moist and retentive of water.

Pale yellow with a sweet-spicy, warm fragrance and a woody undertone.

Antiseptic, antispasmodic, expectorant, aphrodisiac, nerve and hart tonic, stimulant, mood uplifting, warming.

Cardamom oil is rich in 1,8 cineol (36.3%) and ? terpinil acetate (31.3%). It’s antiseptic, antispasmodic, and expectorant properties are due to the presence of 1,8 cineol. Nervous system stimulation is induced by ? terpinil acetate.

Uses:

Cardamom is an excellent refreshing and soothing bath oil, best blended with other oils. Use for headaches, mental fatigue, anxiety, stress, insomnia and nervous weakness of all types. Cardamomum is used in the food industry for spices such as curry, confectionery, pickles and sausages. It is also used in perfumery, tobacco, chewing gum and candy industries.

Blends well with:

Bergamot, black pepper, fennel, frankincense, geranium, ginger, lemon, myrtle, and floral fragrances in minute amounts. For an aphrodisiac, restorative massage oil, add a few drops of Cardamom to a sensual blend of essences such as jasmine, sandalwood and neroli.

Interesting Facts:

Medically, the oil is used as warming to the body, relieves pains, it is mood uplifting, improves digestion and improves mental clarity and memory.In Chinese medicine, Cardamom is used as Qi tonic, because of its effect on the spirit or mind. Cardamom oil has ability to remove depression and listlessness.The Romans and Arabs used Cardamom oil to settle gastrointestinal problems.

Non-toxic, non-irritant, non sensitizing.