Cardamom Oil

Common Name:  Cadamom Oil

Botanical Name:  Elletaria cardamomum

Other Names:  Cardamom, Ailum, Ilachi, Malabar Cardamums.

Introduction

Cardamom is found in many varieties. The Elettaria variety is mostly produced in India and Lanka. Other popular variety is Amomonan which is produced in West Africa. The cardamom tree grows in the moist soil generally above 600 m to 1500 m above sea level. The flowers generally flourish in the month of May and are yellowish color with purple lips. The frits are available in the month of October in the form of pods. Cardamom seeds are found inside these pods.

The pods are gathered before they are ripe otherwise they burst during the drying process and lose their fragrance. Cardamom oil is extracted from the cardamom seeds by steam distillation method.

Uses of Cardamom oil

Cardamom has a variety of uses in illness, cookery and toothpastes etc. It is a natural diuretic and is very helpful to the ladies at the time of periods and during menopause. Eight drops of cardamom oil mixed with two drops of wheat germ oil, 2 drops of Cypress oil and twenty ml. of soya oil if rubbed on the stomach and thighs preferably in the morning gives instant relief. If Cardamom oil is taken daily after meals with water it helps digestion and relieves flatulence. Cardamom oil is added to many types of toothpaste. It is also used in syrups for pulmonary problems.

Medicinally it is a diuretic and an effective medicinein epilepsy, paralysis and rheumatic pains.

Due to its medicinal properties and excellent smell Cardamom oil has found place in cookery. It is an essential ingredient of Indian kitchen. It is also used in cakes, breads and pastries.