
All About Cardamom
Cardamom, in the same family as ginger, is a revered Indian herb used to improve digestive issues, respiratory complaints, and freshen the breathe. In human studies, it has shown beneficial anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant actions. It may also help with blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as be antimicrobial, insecticidal, and more.

Cardamom Blog Articles
Cardamom Herb and Essential Oil
Latin Name: Cardamom - Elettaria cardamomum / Greater Cardamom - Amomum subulatum
Family: Zingeberaceae
Other Names
- Other common names: Alnus-cardamom, amooman, heel kalan, heel khurd, bai dou kou, ela
- Other names placed before cardamom may include: amomum, bastard, black, elettaria, greater, green, Indian, large, lesser, Mysore, Nepal, Siam, small, true, and winged java.
- Do not confuse with bitter cardamom: Alpinia oxphylla.
Plant Description
Cardamom comes from the seeds of a tropical shrub growing up to fifteen feet high. The seeds are oblong and green to brownish with a strong aroma.
Herb Description
Seed pods are broken open and inside are about 20 small black seeds. The adult dose of these small seeds is up to 3 grams a day for up to 12 weeks.
Essential Oil Description
Oil is steam distilled, or extracted via CO2 extraction, or solvent extract, and is thin and colorless with a spicey, eucalyptus like, sweet and fresh aroma.
Key Constituents
- 1,8-cineole / Cineole / Eucalyptol / Cajeputol
- Terpenyl Acetate / Alpha Terpinyl Acetate
- Linalool / Beta Linalool / Linalyl Alcohol / Linalyl Oxide
- d-Limonene / Limonene / Dipentene
- Terpineol (alpha, beta, or gamma) / Terpinen-4-ol / Terpinolene
- Pinene / Alpha Pinene / Delta Pinene / Beta Pinene
- Geraniol
- Borneol and Delta Borneol
- Geranial / Citral A