Cardamom oil has the aroma of freshly dried cardamom pods. Cardamom oil of commerce is obtained by distillation of whole fruits of Elettaria cardamom and is a component of compound cardamom spirit and compound vanilla spirit.
Cardamom essential oil traditionally has been used as a tonic to the digestive system, as well as a component of many sensual aphrodisiac blends.
Cardamom oil may relieve spasm, possibly making it beneficial for colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and cramps. Cardamom oil also possesses both antibacterial and antifungal properties which is can be used as food preservative.
The essential oil obtained by steam distillation of dry cardamom seeds ranged from 1.5 to 2.5%. An average yield oleoresin of 4% was obtained by blending oil and resin fractions in the ratio 1:1.
The major constituents identified in the volatile oil are cineole, d-alpha-terpineol and terpinyl acetate.
Cardamom oil
