The sense of smell is a primary sense that has a direct relationship with the quality of life. It has been found that a person's mood increases by 40% after coming into contact with pleasant aromas. The strongest natural aromas are those obtained from essential oils, which are concentrates of the natural aromas of various plants.
At the same time, less than 1 percent of the entire diversity of plant species produces essential oil. Therefore, those with the most pleasant and strong aroma are the most valuable.
Among all of them, one of the leading places goes to cardamom oil. The concentrated extract of the cardamom plant has a number of benefits and applications in people's lives from ancient times to the present day.
Here's what else you can earn about cardamom essential oil.
Obtaining cardamom essential oil
Cardamom is a spicy spice known for centuries in Eastern cuisine, and the spread of cardamom around the world gives it a central place in applications from the kitchen to beauty care.
The cardamom plant is green pods containing seeds and belongs to the aromatic Ginger family. The botanical name of cardamom is Elettaria cardamomum, and it is native to India as well as Central America. Guatemala and India are the main producers of cardamom essential oil today.
Cardamom essential oil is obtained from the seeds in the pod by the method of steam distillation.
Cardamom oil is the third most expensive spice in the world after saffron and pure vanilla because the production of the oil involves slow and difficult manual labor.
The seeds are harvested by hand and then go through a steam distillation process to extract the oils. Recently, high yielding cardamom varieties have been discovered. The hope is that higher yields will help keep costs down, making the oil from the spice more accessable.
Cardamom essential oil has a recognizable aroma that entices the olfactory receptors. It intoxicates and stimulates all the senses. It is sweet and spicy, with woody nuances. This oil has a very rich aroma indeed, with fruity and balsamic hints.
Its aromatic capabilities stand out when mixed with citrus oils such as wild orange, lemon and bergamot. It complements very well with floral oils like rose oil and ylang ylang oil, as well as earthy oils like cedarwood oil. The spicy hints pair well with other spice oils, including clove oil and black pepper oil.
This oil is colorless to yellowish in color and has good volatility.
Chemical composition of cardamom oil
Cardamom oil contains in a concentrated form the useful ingredients of the seeds of the plant, namely - from 2 to 8% is the essential oil, including the terpenes limonene and sabinene, as well as the terpene alcohol alpha-terpineol, cineol and terinyl acetate. The composition also includes calcium, zinc, sodium, iron, magnesium, potassium and non-metals such as phosphorus. It also contains B group vitamins: B1, B2 as well as vitamin A, niacin. The rich composition also determines the beneficial properties of cardamom oil.
Benefits of Cardamom Essential Oil
Cardamom oil soothes and smells wonderful
Just as cardamom spices add flavor to food, so can cardamom oil make the home smell pleasantly. Its warm aroma relaxes and uplifts emotions. The sweet and spicy aroma can soothe acute emotional states after a long day. Cardamom also has a slightly floral scent that relaxes, while the spicy notes energize and improve mental clarity. Use in a diffuser is recommended.
Protects oral health
Cardamom oil is characterized by an antibacterial effect, it is a good disinfectant. It is beneficial for the health of the oral cavity. It has a strong action against oral bacteria that cause infections in the mouth as well as digestive disorders. It is effective in treating caries. It is used as a mouthwash.
Cardamom oil strengthens immunity
The warming effect that cardamom oil has can also help boost immune health and fight off colds and flu. The heat helps to relieve chest congestion, while the antibacterial properties help eliminate urinary tract viruses.
Cardamom essential oil helps relieve coughs, reducing inflammation in the chest and respiratory system. It stimulates immunity to fight bacteria.
Cardamom oil stimulates digestion
Cardamom essential oil helps regulate healthy digestive processes. The oil regulates the production of gastric juices - bile, for example, which helps break down food. Cardamom oil reduces bloating, gas and bad digestion. The product also contains fiber, which helps improve digestive function.
Speeds up metabolism
The warming action of cardamom oil helps boost metabolism and help you lose weight faster. Cardamom naturally raises body temperature, which signals the body to burn fat stores for energy.
Treats the effects of nicotine
Many people try to quit smoking but find it difficult to achieve and fail. Nicotine withdrawal can have severe side effects, causing irritability, anxiety, depression and weight gain.
Some people find it difficult to concentrate and have trouble sleeping, and cardamom oil helps reduce the severity of nicotine symptoms, thus helping people to quit nicotine more easily. It is effective not only against toxic tobacco, but also against insect bites and ingestion of other mild poisons.
Use of cardamom essential oil
The cardamom spice adds flavor to food and the essential oil likewise adds a pleasant flavor to the home. This essential oil produces a warm aroma that increases relaxation and helps ground emotions. The sweet and spicy aroma soothes the emotions after a long day. Cardamom also has a slightly floral aroma that induces relaxation, while spicy notes energize and enhance mental clarity.
The use in aromatherapy rivals in intensity the application in cosmetics. In shampoos, in perfumes and cleaning products - cardamom oil is literally in every cosmetic product, giving it an exotic pleasant aroma.
Side effects of using cardamom essential oil
Cardamom essential oil is generally safe when used in small amounts. Excessively high doses can cause toxicity manifested by diarrhea and fever. Most side effects can be avoided with proper use and dosage.
Skin irritation
Cardamom essential oil may cause skin irritation in some people. So it's good to mix it with something else, like grapefruit oil, avocado oil or coconut oil. Skin testing will also save some unpleasant symptoms.
Cardamom oil and pregnancy
Pregnant women should not use cardamom essential oil. This product has a heating effect that may irritate or harm the fetus. A medical professional should be consulted before using the essential oil during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
It should also be avoided by people allergic to the cardamom plant.
Read more:
- Cardamom tea - properties and benefits;
- What to season with cardamom;
