Cardamom Essential Oil
Cardamom oil has been popular since ancient times and is still loved by soap makers and aromatherapists. Ancient Egyptians used cardamom in perfume and incense and chewed on the plant to whiten teeth. Ancient Greeks found cardamom could soothe indigestion and heartburn. Today it still used for medicinal purposes. It is employed as a laxative and to ease colic, dyspepsia and nausea. Cardamom is also an expectorant that reduces coughing and it is still used to relieve heartburn, gas and indigestion. Soap makers and aromatherapists, however, appreciate its refreshing, mind sharpening effects, plus cardamom is a recognized remedy for impotence and is a known aphrodisiac.
Extracted from the cardamom plant, cardamom essential oil has a sweet, spicy, almost balsamic fragrance. It is a clear pale yellow in color and is watery in viscosity. This oil, which adds a warm top note to your creations, is a valuable addition to your collection of fragrant essential oils. Below you'll find some recipes using cardamom essential oil that you are welcome to enjoy. Remember, use the proper safety precautions when handling lye.
Love Me Tender Soap
Ingredients:
- 4 oz Coconut Oil
- 4 oz Palm Oil
- 8 oz Palm Kernel Oil
- 1 oz Shea Butter
- 2.25 oz lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 7 ounces distilled water
- 1 Tablespoon cardamom essential oil
- 1 teaspoon jasmine essential oil
- ½ teaspoon ylang ylang essential oil
Mix essential oils in small container and set aside. Pour lye into water and let cool to 105 degrees. Melt and heat your oils to 105 degrees. Pour lye/water mixture into oils and bring to trace. Add your blend of essential oils. Pour into mold, cover and let sit undisturbed for 24 hours. Remove from mold and let cure for 3 weeks. Makes a small batch.
Mental Massage Soap
Ingredients:
- 6 oz castor oil
- 14 oz coconut oil
- 12 oz olive oil
- 6 oz palm oil
- 2 oz emu oil
- 15 oz distilled water
- 5.8 oz lye
- 1 ½ Tablespoon cardamom essential oil
- 1 Tablespoon frankincense essential oil
- 1 Tablespoon blood orange essential oil
Blend essential oils and set aside. Pour lye into water and cool to 100 degrees. Heat carrier oils to 100 degrees. Pour lye/water mix into carrier oils. Bring to trace and add essential oils blend. Pour into mold, cover and let sit undisturbed for 24 hours. Remove from mold and let cure for 3 weeks.
Chai Tea Soap
Ingredients:
- 16 oz coconut oil
- 18 oz peanut oil
- 16 oz lard
- 6 oz evaporated milk
- 13 oz brewed unsweetened tea
- 7 oz lye
- 1oz cardamom essential oil
- ½ oz ginger essential oil
- ½ oz cinnamon essential oil
Blend your essential oils and set aside. Pour milk into tea, then add lye. Let cool to 95 degrees. Melt lard, combine with other oils and bring to 95 degrees. Pour lye/tea/milk mixture into oils. Bring to trace, then add blended essential oils. Pour into molds, cover and let sit undisturbed for 48 hours. Cure 2-3 weeks. Makes about 18 4oz bars.
Aching Back Massage Oil
- 1-Tablespoon sweet almond oil
- 4 drops wintergreen essential oil
- 4 drops cardamom essential oil
- 4 drops ginger
Mix together well and massage onto lower back or other are with muscular pain.
