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by Amelia E. Hoard, RN
Common Name: Cardamon
Synonyms: cardamom, cardomon
Latin Binomial: Elettaria cardamomum
Family: Zingiberaceae
Production Method: steam distilled from ripe dried, crushed seed
Countries of Origin: A native of tropical Asia, now cultivated in Sri Lanka, India, Guatemala and El Salvador.
Typical Constituents: 1,8-Cineole (26.5-44.6%), a-Terpinyl acetate (29.2-39.7%), Linalyl acetate (0.7-7.7%), [+]-Limonene (1.7-6.0%), Linalool (0.4-5.9%), a-Terpineol (0.8-4.3%), Sabinene (2.5-3.8%), Terpinen-4-ol (0.9-3.2%), [E]-Nerolidol (0.1-2.7%), b-Myrcene (0.2-2.2%), a-Pinene (0.6-1.5%), Geraniol (0.3-1.1%)
Description of Oil: Colorless to pale yellow, warm-spicy, balsamic-woody aroma.
Description of Plant: A perennial herb with lance-shaped leaves on long sheathing stems.
History, Folklore and Myth: Used extensively as a spice and digestive aid. Used in Chinese and Indian medicine for pulmonary disease, fever, digestive and urinary complaints. Cardamon was brought to Europe by the Greeks in the 4th century BC.
Properties and Uses: anorexia, colic, dyspepsia, flatulence, halitosis, indigestion, vomiting, mental fatigue, nervous strain
Precautions and Contraindications: Essential oils high in 1,8-Cineole can cause central nervous system and breathing problems in young children. Do not apply to or near the face of infants or children.
Other Interesting Information: Cardamon is also widely used a fragrance in soaps, cosmetics and perfumes.
References:
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Virginia, Queensland, Australia: The Perfect Potion. 1995.
Lawless, Julia. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. Shaftesbury, Dorset. Element Books. 1995.
Tisserand, Robert, and Tony Balacs. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. 1995.
Sellar, Wanda. The Directory of Essential Oils. London: Random House. 2005