Curated by Maria Rita Insolera, Naturopath
The essential oil of cardamom, with its carminative, aromatic, antiseptic and tonic action, is useful for stomach pain, halitosis and headaches. Let's find out better.
Properties of cardamom essential oil
The essential oil of cardamom is obtained from the steam distillation starting from the seeds previously dried. It has a pale yellow color and a sweet fragrance
The essential oil of cardamom has a digestive action, useful against stomach olors, it is an excellent tonic, carminatic and antiseptic, and can also be used against headaches.
Description of the plant
Cardamom is obtained from two genera of the Zingiberacee family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows wild in tropical climate areas. Remember the common cane that also grows on the edges of our roads. It can reach 2-3 meters in height.
It has long lanceolate, sessile leaves and yellow flowers . The fruits are reddish seeds. The name cardamom means properly the Elettaria, (the same family of the ginger), but often other plants are also indicated with the same name, among which the most similar to the true cardamom is the Amoxmum .
Properties, use and nutritional veils of cardamom
How to use cardamom essential oil
The essential oil of cardamom finds the following uses :
- Against stomach pains : mix 4 drops of cardamom essential oil and 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil together, massage on the stomach until completely absorbed and cover with a warm cloth, lying flat until the pain is gone calmed.
- Gargle against bad breath : mix 4 drops of Cardamom essential oil with half a glass of water, and use the mixture to gargle 3 times a day.
- Against headaches : mix together 3 drops of essential cardamom oil with 100 ml of very cold water, wet a bandage or a handkerchief, squeeze it slightly and spread it on the forehead keeping the eyes closed. Remain lying down for about 15 minutes, immersing the handkerchief again in the mixture about every five minutes
- Use in diffusers: stimulating, aphrodisiac, energizing .
- Uses in cosmetics: oils and baths for mixed skin.
Contraindications of Cardamom essential oil
Do not use in pregnancy, lactation and in children under 6 years.
Background
We read about cardamom, for the first time, in the Ebers papyrus, a document dated 1550 BC discovered in Egypt.
This spice was also used by the Greeks and Romans as a fragrance, and was known in the East as a fragrant and essential spice in curry.
The cardamom, is "queen of spices" is native to India, but widely cultivated in several tropical countries, particularly Guatemala.
