Cardamom
Elettaria Cardamomum
Cardamom Oil is a spicy and fragrant oil that has been used for hundreds of years in cooking, beauty and alternative medicine. It has a number of properties that can dramatically improve your health, such as reducing blood pressure, alleviating stomach cramps and preventing cavities and bad breath.
History of Cardamom Oil
Cardamom Oil is derived from the Cardamom plant, its latin name being Elettaria Cardamomum. It’s considered to be one of the world's oldest spices, dating back over 4000 years. Ancient Egyptians used cardamom in medicine, rituals and also for embalming. Cardamom has also been used in perfumery for thousands of years, with Romans and Greeks using the oil as an aromatic mask to ward off bad smells. The plant originated in India but since then has been used worldwide for its oil and seeds which can be used in aromatherapy, cooking, perfumery, medicine and beauty. In some parts of the world, Cardamom crops are considered to be of the same value (if not more) than a coffee crop, making it a widely respected spice. One of the biggest producers of Cardamom today is Guatemala!
Looking specifically at Cardamom Oil, the use of the oil is relatively new in comparison, but still boasts a number of health benefits like the seed itself does. The spice itself is one of the most expensive in the world, and in some cultures is still looked upon as a sign of wealth. Cardamom Oil is versatile, and can be used topically or through aromatherapy to treat a number of health conditions such as blood pressure, bad breath, skin conditions, digestive problems and much more!
So, why has Cardamom Oil survived through the ages?
Even though the oil itself wasn’t used extensively, Cardamom seeds carry so many benefits that are completely embedded in cultures across the world. The majority of Indian, Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian cuisines will use Cardamom seeds as part of their spice blends, and even today Cardamom is used as a natural medicine for conditions such as asthma, bad breath and overall dental health! Despite the more expensive price point, it’s evident that people around the world see the value in investing into Cardamom Oil due to the fact its versatility outweighs the expense of it. Pure Cardamom (seeds) are incredibly fragrant, so a little goes a long way when used in cooking, perfumery or for medicinal purposes. Blending Cardamom Oil is also fairly easy, as you can layer this spicy fragrance with others in your collection to either create a punchy aromatherapy blend, or your own perfume should you wish.
What do you think of Cardamom Oil? Is it a staple in your collection? As always the Essentially Yours team love hearing your stories as well as what you use Cardamom Oil for - so feel free to message us today.
Extracting Cardamom Oil
The most popular method of making Cardamom Oil on a commercial scale is through steam distillation. It’s a method that uses steam and water to lift the oil and separate it, leaving it to sit on top of the water once it’s condensed. The prime time to begin extracting the oil is just as the seeds of the fruit are about to ripen. Grown mostly in countries with hot climates, you can find Cardamom Oil production to be in Central America, India and the Middle East.
Can I make Cardamom Oil at home?
In fact, you can! Providing you have access to fresh cardamom seeds (which can be bought online or at a supermarket) it is a fairly simple process to make your own home made Cardamom Oil. If you have a professional steam distiller, then you can just follow the process of using that to create your oil. Howevever, you can also use distilled water, a muslin cloth and a mortar and pestle to make the oil.
Grinding the seeds down in the mortar and pestle, tip the mixture once ground into your muslin cloth and tie together tightly. Place in a pot filled with distilled boiling water and simmer for at least 24 hours. You can skim the oil off the top in this process and squeeze the mixture into a bottle. Leave the mixture in the bottle to sit for a further 24 hours to allow any remaining water to evaporate and voila - you have yourself a bottle of Cardamom Oil! It can be quite pricey to buy, so if you have the time and the patience, you can make the oil inexpensively at home and in around 48 hours!
Can I make Cardamom Oil at home?
In fact, you can! Providing you have access to fresh cardamom seeds (which can be bought online or at a supermarket) it is a fairly simple process to make your own home made Cardamom Oil. If you have a professional steam distiller, then you can just follow the process of using that to create your oil. Howevever, you can also use distilled water, a muslin cloth and a mortar and pestle to make the oil.
After grinding the seeds down in the mortar and pestle, tip the mixture into your muslin cloth and tie together tightly. Place in a pot filled with distilled boiling water and simmer for at least 24 hours. You can skim the oil off the top in this process and squeeze the mixture into a bottle. Leave the mixture in the bottle to sit for a further 24 hours to allow any remaining water to evaporate and voila - you have yourself a bottle of Cardamom Oil! It can be quite pricey to buy, so if you have the time and the patience, you can make the oil inexpensively at home and in around 48 hours!
Bergamot Oil Varieties
Cardamom Oil Varieties
Cardamom Oil is made from the seeds of the cardamom fruit and has been popular for thousands of years in cooking, perfumery, medicine and beauty. Cardamom Oil was used less so in ancient times, but rose to prominence more recently as the oil can be used very similar to the whole seeds or fruit of cardamom. There are three types of cardamom which are green, black and Madagascar. All three types of cardamom can be used in cooking, and one can assume that of the three main varieties there are sub-varieties within that. Cardamom Oil is something that you can make with ease in the comfort of your home, so purchasing a few varieties of seeds can enable you to try the oil without having to spend a lot of money on it.
So, how so I know which variety of Cardamom Oil is right for me?
With Cardamom Oil, the properties of each variety are the same whether it’s used in food, for medicinal purposes or in areas such as aromatherapy, so in theory any variety should still have the same outcome for you. The difference between the varieties is the aroma and the taste (should you wish to ingest it) and that may be a deciding factor for you in which one you decide to purchase. For example, green cardamom is floral and refreshing, whereas black is smoked, which gives it a deeper and muskier scent.
If you are looking to blend essential oils to either scent your home or use them in aromatherapy, you may find yourself leaning to one variety of Cardamom Oil over the other because of its scent and how it mixes with your other oils. What we recommend, is if you are able to make the oil at home to test out all three that way, or, if you’d prefer to buy it - have a look online at the varieties available and test them all out seprately and in blends. With essential oils some of the time it’s down to your own personal preference and which scents you find really work for you!
What do you think about Cardamom Oil? Is there a particualr variety that works wonders for you? As always, the Essentially Yours team love to hear about your stories as well sa what is working for you. Feel free to reach out to us today and drop us an e-mail with your story!
So, how so I know which variety of Cardamom Oil is right for me?
With Cardamom Oil, the properties of each variety are the same whether it’s used in food, for medicinal purposes or in areas such as aromatherapy, so in theory any variety should still have the same outcome for you. The difference between the varieties is the aroma and the taste (should you wish to ingest it) and that may be a deciding factor for you in which one you decide to purchase. For example, green cardamom is floral and refreshing, whereas black is smoked, which gives it a deeper and muskier scent.
If you are looking to blend essential oils to either scent your home or use them in aromatherapy, you may find yourself leaning to one variety of Cardamom Oil over the other because of its scent and how it mixes with your other oils. With essential oils some of the time it’s down to your own personal preference and which scents you find really work for you!
What do you think about Cardamom Oil? Is there a particualr variety that works wonders for you? As always, the Essentially Yours team love to hear about your stories as well as what is working for you. Feel free to reach out to us today and drop us an e-mail with your story!
Benefits of Cardamom Oil
Cardamom Oil, latin name being Elettaria Cardamomum is a fragrant oil that has been used for thousands of years by the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks, as well as in the Middle East and India where cardamom originated from. Used in beauty, medicine and cooking, Cardamom Oil is still used worldwide and has embedded itself in cultures due to its multiple benefits and healing properties.
So, what are the benefits of using Cardamom Oil?
Lowers blood pressure
As well as an anti-anxiety, Cardamom Oil helps to lower blood pressure naturally without having to take over the counter medicines.
Improves breathing
Whether you are inhaling this whilst steaming your face, or ingesting some Cardamom Oil, it has been proven to improve your breathing and overall respiratory health when used regularly.
Anti-anxiety
In aromatherapy Cardamom Oil is a great anti-anxiety and stress reliever, whether used on its own or in combination with other oils. It can also be used to help aid restful sleep and instil a feeling of calm.
Better breath and dental health
Chewing Cardamom or putting a few drops into warm water and gargling can help with bad breath and overall dental health! It has antibacterial properties that help to ward off bacteria that causes bad breath and cavities.
Antibacterial
Cardamom Oil and Cardamom as a seed has antibacterial properties and can be used topically or with carrier oil to help grazes and irritated skin heal (not broken or open skin).
Helps digestive issues
Cardamom has been used to treat digestive issues and stomach ulcers, and overall can help to improve your digestive health. You can ingest small doses of Cardamom Oil so putting this into cold/warm water or tea is a great way to get the benefits of its properties.
These are some of our favourite benefits of Cardamom Oil, but there are many others that you can explore for yourself. Please note that everybody reacts differently to essential oils and what works for you may not work for someone else, so don’t be disheartened if a particular oil doesn’t have the desired effect for you.
If you are ingesting Cardamom Oil ensure that you are purchasing essential oil that is safe for ingestion and that you have the correct instructions before ingesting. If you find that you have sensitive reactions to new things it is recommended that you consult with a specialist before using an essential oil extensively to treat issues such as blood pressure, breathing and digestion.
Uses of Cardamom Oil
Cardamom Oil has been used for thousands of years, and is respected globally due to its medicinal properties as well as its versatility. Whether it’s used in cooking a beautiful meal, or to create a beautiful scent, Cardamom Oil is a multi-use oil that has cemented itself in industries and cultures alike.
Aromatherapy
Cardamom Oil is used in aromatherapy to help with your mental and physical health. Whether this is anti-anxiety, reducing feelings of depression or aiding restful sleep, it is a popular oil to be used either on its own or in combination with others to achieve the desired effect.
Perfume
Used in perfumery, Cardamom is a beautiful scent to be either used on its own topically or blended with others to create a warming and luxurious perfume that you can wear without the price tag that comes with high-end branded scents.
Digestive issues
Cardamom Oil is one of the few essential oils on the market that can be ingested when diluted in water. It soothes digestive issues and promotes a healthy gut, which is a great natural remedy to try if you are struggling with stomach issues such as bloating, diarrhea or constipation.
Soothing irritated or dry skin
Mixed with a carrier oil like coconut or almond, Cardamom Oil has a soothing and minty feeling on the skin and can help to soothe and moisturise. It has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Flavouring water or tea
Want to jazz up your water or tea? Adding a drop or two of Cardamom Oil can give it a spicy and fragrant taste whilst also helping your gut and overall health!
Improving your respiratory health
Steaming your face is great for your skin, but it is also an excellent way to improve your respiratory health. Adding a few drops of Cardamom Oil to hot water and steaming your face can allow you to inhale the steamed particles of Cardamom Oil to open your airways and promote healthy breathing. Great if you have a cold or if you want to integrate it into your morning regime!
Reducing bad breath and cavities
Ever heard of oil pulling? Best done with coconut oil, swilling a mixture of coconut oil and a few drops of cardamom oil and using it as a mouth wash for 1-2 minutes twice a day can reduce bad breath and keep cavities at bay.
Natural anti-anxiety remedy
Whether you are massaging the oil into your skin, or using it in an electric diffuser - Cardamom Oil is a natural anti-anxiety remedy and can instate a feeling of tranquility when used frequently.
Blends well with
Here at Essentially Yours, we are passionate about sharing all we know about essential oils so you can get the most out of your collection! Whether it’s understanding the history behind a particular oil, or finding the best blends to help you achieve your goals - our website is full of all the information you’ll need. In this blog we are going to be talking specifically about Cardamom Oil, and which other essential oils it blends well with!
So, what other oils does Cardamom Oil blend well with?
Coconut Oil
A carrier oil which is rich in fatty acids and packed with moisturising properties, Coconut Oil blends perfectly with Cardamom Oil to create a moisturising massage oil or moisturiser which we recommend to use in the evenings before bed (as Coconut Oil can be quite greasy!). Remember, it is solid at room temperature so you will need to work the mixture of coconut and cardamom in your hands before applying.
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Jojoba Oil
Silky and moisturising, Jojoba Oil is another popular carrier oil that blends well with Cardamom Oil. It’s makeup is similar to your own natural oils produced by your skin, making this a perfect carrier oil if you struggle with sensitive or oily skin on your back, shoulders and face.
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Almond Oil
A runny and moisturising carrier oil, Almond Oil can be blended with Cardamom Oil to create moisturisers, soothing rubs for your skin or to use as a base for a DIY perfume.
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Cedarwood Oil
Woody, tangy and citrusy, Cedarwood Oil blends beautifully with the aromatic flavours of Cardamom Oil and can be used to scent the home or used in the evenings to create a calming scent before bed.
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Cinnamon Oil
Christmas, anyone? Spicy, sweet and comforting, Cinnamon Oil and Cardamom Oil are a spicy blend made in heaven. You could use this in a homemade candle to make your home smell warm and welcoming.
Lavender Oil
This is the perfect oil for pretty much any blend out there. The soothing floral fragrance of Lavender Oil blends well with the aromatics of Cardamom Oil. Use this with a carrier oil as a fragrance, or massage into your body to create a luxurious lotion which will leave your skin moisturised, cool and help with any irritations you may be experiencing.
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