Cardamom

Species name: elettaria cardamomum.

Also known as:  Elettaria.

Cardamom essential oil is listed in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.  It is recognized there as being effective specifically for gas and dyspepsia. Dyspepsia is a term that encompasses several stomach or digestive disorders including Irritable Bowel Syndrome type disorders like gas, bloating, stomach spasms, etc.

Cardamom essential oil is extracted from the cardamom plant seed. This seed is also used quite often in both Asian and Indian cooking.

Home Remedies using Cardamon Essential Oil

Cardamom essential oil is a tonic that aids in digestion. It is also an essential element in many sensual or aphrodisiac oil blends. 

Good grades of cardamom essential oil have a wonderful aroma.  Cardamom essential oil has the smell of fresh cardamom seed pods. 

This oil is of a much better quality then the type of steam distilled cardamom oil that is found in many places.

Cardamom essential oil is a rich yellow in color. Its texture is quite thick and rich, and it has a fresh, pleasing smell.

Benefits of Cardamom Essential Oil

Cardamom essential oil has traditionally been used to prevent muscle spasms, intestinal and colon spasms, and menstrual cramping.

It has also been used widely for its expectorant benefits to break up mucus and congestion in the bronchia, lungs, and sinuses. 

Cardamom also has good anti-bacterial properties when applied in a carrier base, to cuts, scrapes, and abrasions.

Cardamom essential oil may help symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, nausea, and gas. 

It is especially effective in combating indigestion that is caused by nervous stress.  Cardamom essential oil can also help clear coughs or congestion due to colds, pneumonia, or similar conditions.

Cardamom oil may relieve intestinal spasms, making it of benefit for conditions such as ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and menstrual cramps.

Cardamom oil may be of the most benefit where the digestive system is affected by nervous tension. It also seems to relieve nausea, including morning sickness during pregnancy.

When cooking, a few drops of the essential oil can be added to dishes for an interesting and appetizing effect in whatever you are cooking. As a spice, the essential oil has unique warming properties.

These same properties make this oil wonderfully warm, inviting massage oil as part of a therapeutic massage. The beautiful aroma can be invigorating and refreshing, and it adds something special to a massage on its own or blended with other essential oils, for a combination of beneficial qualities.

Use cardamom oil in an oil warmer, rubbed into the stomach, solar or soles of the feet. It can be used alone or with or with a carrier oil to make a blend specific for massage. 

This essential oil can be used in a steamer, and inhaled to relieve congestion and help break up mucus.

Side Effects of Cardamom Essential Oil

Always perform a skin test when trying a new essential oil. Just take a small amount of essential oil, apply it to the inner arm, and wait for 24 hours. 

Check to see if there are any signs of sensitivity or allergic reaction. If there are, don’t use this particular oil. If you are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, use this and any other essential oil only under a herbalist’s or doctor's care.