Who’s ready to dig deeper into Cardamom?
First, the basics and the obligatory disclaimer.
I am not a doctor. None of the statements included in this post have been approved by the FDA or any other cool acronym known agency. It is Young Living’s official stance that they and these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any specific disease or illness. Young Living Independent Distributor #14632733
Unless otherwise noted, the information provided comes from the appropriate product pages at Witchy Gypsy Oils. Please visit these pages by clicking on the pictures for more details and ordering information.
Cardamom seed oil
(Elettaria cardamomum)
Cardamom is a member of the ginger family and features a spicy, refreshing aroma that can be uplifting.
Also available in Vitality.
Steam distilled from cardamom seeds, Cardamom Vitality essential oil has a rich taste and is one of the world’s favorite cooking spices.
The cardamom plant is native to the lush evergreen forests of southern India and has been a highly valued spice since ancient times.
Cardamom is one of the world’s very ancient spices. It is native to the East originating in the forests of the western ghats in southern India, where it grows wild. Today it also grows in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Indo China and Tanzania. The ancient Egyptians chewed cardamom seeds as a tooth cleaner; the Greeks and Romans used it as a perfume. Vikings came upon cardamom about one thousand years ago, in Constantinople, and introduced it into Scandinavia, where it remains popular to this day.
http://theepicentre.com/spice/cardamom/
Cardamom is an expensive spice, second only to saffron. It is often adulterated and there are many inferior substitutes from cardamom-related plants, such as Siam cardamom, Nepal cardamom, winged Java cardamom, and bastard cardamom. However, it is only Elettaria cardamomum which is the true cardamom.
With many health benefits, Cardamom Vitality supports wellness and a healthy lifestyle, is a powerful antioxidant, and supports a healthy digestive system.
Called “Grains of Paradise” since the Middle Ages, it has been used medicinally by Indian healers for millennia. One of the most prized spices in ancient Greece and Rome, cardamom was cultivated by the king of Babylon around the 7th century BC.
It is mentioned in one of the oldest known medical records, the Ebers Papyrus (dating from 16th century BC), an ancient Egyptian list of 877 prescriptions and recipes.
Medical Properties: Antispasmodic (neuromuscular), expectorant, antiparasitic (worms), anitoxidant, antimicrobial
Uses: Lung/sinus infection, indigestion, senility, headaches
Fragrant Influence: Uplifting, refreshing, and invigorating
Excerpted from the Essential Oils Desk Reference, 7th Edition
I hadn’t realized how often we actually used cardamom in our own cooking. A few years ago my husband introduced me to Indian food and I fell in love. One of the primary spice blends that I took away from that love was Garam Masala. We use this blend frequently on vegetables. I had no idea at the time how beneficial it could be.
Cardamom is well known as a spice used in Indian cooking, and is one of the primary constituents of Garam Masala. What many people don’t realize is that cardamom is also medicinal, and helps relieve digestive problems induced by garlic and onion, making it more than merely an aromatic addition to the stomach-challenging cuisine it accompanies. Cardamom is considered one of the most valuable spices in the world due to its rich aroma and therapeutic properties.
https://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-cardamom.html
The article goes on to list several health benefits of cardamom including: halitosis, tooth, gum, and oral disorders, digestion, urinary problems, depression, cancer prevention, and anti-aging properties.
Studies confirm that cardamom oil acts as an analgesic and antispasmodic in rats and rabbits, producing relief and lowered distention and writhing within digestive systems reacting negatively to uncomfortable stimuli. This effect is the primary medicinal quality of cardamom, and Eastern cultures have been taking advantage of it for centuries.
https://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-cardamom.html
Cardamom volatile oil has only recently come under the scrutiny of scientists curious about its therapeutic properties, but Asian and Indian cultures have reliably used it for ages as a remedy for discomfort and depression, and still rely upon it today. It is now being discovered to have amazing health benefits, and early science confirms its medicinal effectiveness.
Thank you for joining me in digging deeper into Cardamom.
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