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.
Fun Fact
The Western Ghats is a mountain range near the coast of India. Tropical forests located there are acknowledged as the birthplace of cardamom, and as a result, the Western Ghats is sometimes referred to as "Cardamom Hills" or the "Benevolent Mountains".
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
