Description:  Cardamom is a perennial plant found commonly in southern India & Sri Lanka, abundantly growing in forests of moderate elevation. The simple, erect stems grow to a height of 6-10 feet, and sometimes up to 15 feet.  The root stock is fairly thick and creeping.  The leaves are lanceolate, dark green above, lighter & silky beneath. The flowers are small & white or yellowish.  It prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil.  The fruit is a three-celled-capsule holding up to 18 seeds, which are hand-harvested in dry weather just before they open.  They are then dried whole in the sun.

Although India is the largest producer of cardamom, only a small share of the Indian production is exported because of the large domestic demand. The main exporting country is Guatemala, where cardamom cultivation has been introduced to less than a century ago and where all cardamom is grown for export.

There are several related plants, many of which have aromatic seeds; these may appear as cardamom substitute or adulteration, although the flavors of most of them differ markedly from true cardamom, making them a poor substitute for the real thing.

The spice has identical or at least phonetically similar names in almost all languages of Europe, e.g., Cardamom (German, English), kardemomme (Norvegian, Danish), cardamomo (Italian, Portuguese, Spanish), kardamon (Polish, Croatian, Bulgarian, Russian [ ???????? ]) and kardemumma (Finnish), indicating an ancient & common origin of the spice as well as the name.

It has been used as a culinary spice & medicine at least since the 4th century BCE in Greece, & as perfume in ancient Egypt.

Main constituents:  The seeds contain volatile oil (borneol, camphor, terpinene, pinene & others), fixed oil & salt of potassium.  It is very soluble in alcohol and readily soluble in four volumes of 70% alcohol, forming a clear solution.

The oil is usually adulterated, owing to the high price of the seeds and the small percentage of volatile oil found in them.

Properties:  Carminative, Stimulant, Aromatic, Antispasmodic

Uses:  The seeds & pods contain a volatile oil which is used in perfumes & as a stimulant.  Cardamom appears in 1001 Arabian Nights as an aphrodisiac (see Magical Uses below).  Cardamom is a stimulant, it cools the body in extreme heat and it aids digestion.

Remedy for Gluten Intolerance in children (Celiac Disease): This condition, marked by frequent diarrhea & continual digestive problems, is treated by the Chinese with powdered cardamom sprinkled on cooked cereal.

Safety Considerations:  As with most essential oils, do not take internally.  May cause photosensitivity.

Magical:

Folk Names:   (see Common Names above)

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus

Powers: Lust, Sensuality, Sexuality, Love

Uses:  Add ground seeds to warmed wine for a quick lust potion.  Bake into an apple pie to bring lust & love. Add to love sachets and incenses.

Also brings calmness and tranquility.

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