Cardamom: The Oil Of Objectivity
A native of Southeast Asia, Cardamom is added to conventional Indian sweets and beverages for its cold, minty flavor. Cardamom is a well-liked spice that is used in many recipes all over the world and is referred to as the “queen of spices”.
A close relative of Ginger, cardamom is known for its capability to promote digestive system when consumed. Cardamom is frequently used internally to help relieve stomach discomfort. Due to its high 1,8-cineole concentration, Cardamom has significant benefits on the respiratory system and encourages clear breathing. Its distinctive aroma can foster a happy environment too.
- Main Chemical Components: Terpinyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, linalyl acetate, sabinene, linalool
- Cardamom is known to have calming effects on the digestive system, a property thought to originate from its high monoterpenoid ester content. Examples of other essential oils with high amounts of monoterpenoid esters are Lavender, Clary Sage, and Roman Chamomile. Our Cardamom has high amounts of the monoterpenoid esters terpinyl acetate and linalyl acetate. When taken internally in a veggie cap, Cardamom oil slows down muscle contractions in the intestines, easing occasional bowel looseness.
- Because of its high monoterpenoid ester content, Cardamom can be used to calm the whole body in general, not just the digestive system. To calm body and mind, try diffusing Cardamom aromatically or using Cardamom in the AromaTouch® Hand Technique
Fun Facts
Only one percent of the world’s cardamom plants are distilled for essential oil, while the balance is harvested and sold into the global spice market. Guatemala is the world’s largest exporter of cardamom for the spice market.
Cardamom oil is produced from seed pods, which typically contain 10-20 seeds per pod. These pods are dried for 36 hours and then sold either as a spice or for distillation.
Co-Impact Sourcing
doTERRA has established a Co-Impact Sourcing initiative to help local growers improve their quality of life. By providing a new drying facility for the cardamom plants in Sika’abe, Guatemala, doTERRA has helped improve the efficiency of the cardamom harvesting and production process. Before, cardamom growers had to travel far distances to dry the product, which was problematic due to the short shelf life of cardamom seeds.
Cooking with Cardamom oil
For your Diffuser