Essential Oil Spotlight: Cardamom

Cardamom is from the botanical family Zingiberaceae (ginger) and is steam distilled from the seeds. When used aromatically, cardamom is uplifting, refreshing, and invigorating. It may be beneficial for clearing confusion.

Anciently, cardamom was used for epilepsy, spasms, paralysis, rheumatism, cardiac disorders, all intestinal illnesses, pulmonary disease, fever, and digestive and urinary complaints. It is said to be able to neutralize the lingering odor of garlic.

If you are acquainted with Indian food, you may associate the flavor and smell of this oil with sweet Indian dishes such as rice pudding, as the cardamom spice is a common ingredient in this popular dish and gives it a cool, minty aroma and taste. It may be that rice pudding is often served at the end of the meal because of cardamom’s ability to neutralize lingering odors causing halitosis.

Cardamom may also help with appetite loss, bronchitis, colic, debility, dyspepsia, flatulence, halitosis, mental fatigue, pyrosis (or heartburn), sciatica, ulcers, and vomiting. It may also help with menstrual periods, menopause, and nervous indigestion.

Source:
Modern Essentials, Sixth Edition, p.72