Cardamom is an herb with origins in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. The herbaceous plant belongs to the family Zingiberaceae, and it has several uses in Ayurveda. Cardamom has a unique aroma, which makes it a common ingredient in sweet foods and tea.
The herbaceous plant also has several health benefits. Its antioxidant property helps protect the body against harmful free radicals in the body.
The health benefits of cardamom essential oil to the skin can be attributed to its qualities as an antimicrobial, antiseptic, and a moisturizer. Cardamom essential oil is obtained from its seeds. The main constituents found in cardamom include limonene, terpinene, eugenol, and Sabinene.
Benefits Of Cardamom Essential Oil In Skin Care
1. Improves Skin Complexion
The application of cardamom essential oil on the skin provides one with fair skin. The essential oil removes blemishes from the skin, giving it a more balanced complexion. Improvement of the skin complexion occurs due to the antibacterial and anti-fungal properties of cardamom essential oil.
However, this has not been established scientifically. A face mask that comprises ground cardamom, banana puree, and yogurt should be prepared and applied on the skin. The preparation should be left to stay on the skin until it has dried. The skin should then be washed with warm water. The process helps improve the complexion of the skin.
2. Cardamom Plumps The Skin
Cardamom essential oil improves fine lines by plumping the skin. Using the essential oil can increase blood flow to the skin by stimulating the blood vessels and bringing the blood to the surface of the skin. A mixture of three drops of cardamom and two tablespoons of olive oil is recommended.
The mixture should be applied to the fine lines on the skin. After a short period of time, the skin will plump out, and the fine lines on the skin will become less visible. The essential oil can also be used to plump up the lips and can be used as a substitute for lip gloss.
3. Treatment Of Eczema
Eczema is a medical term that refers to a group of skin conditions that are characterized by inflammation and skin irritation. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, which is a genetic condition.
The exact cause of eczema is not known. The most common risk factor of eczema is an overactive response of the immune cells against an allergen. The skin irritation that is caused by eczema leaves behind light colored patches of skin. Some people recommend the use of one teaspoon of cardamom and one teaspoon of honey to help provide relief. However, the paste should not be applied on the face, as it may lead to irritation. It is advisable to perform a skin test before using the paste.
4. Removes Wrinkles And Aging Of The Skin
The antioxidant properties of cardamom essential oil can help cure skin problems that result from aging. The consumption of cardamom through food or a topical application of its essential oil to the skin provides the best treatment for wrinkles and age spots.
5. Cardamom Essential Oil Is A Natural Scrub
Cardamom essential oil is one of the ingredients used to prepare different types of scrubs. Several herbal skin products on the market mention cardamom essential oil as one of the ingredients. The essential oil is healthy for the skin and helps rejuvenate the skin, leaving it moisturized.
6. As Massage Oil
Cardamom essential oil helps improves blood flow to the skin. The use of cardamom essential oil for massaging the skin increases the nutrients, leading to improved skin tone.
7. Treatment Of Skin Allergy
The antibacterial activity of cardamom essential oil makes it a potent antiseptic to treat allergic reactions occurring on the skin.
8. Detoxifies The Skin
The antioxidant properties of the cardamom help flush out free radicals, toxins, and dangerous fluids from the body through the skin. The removal of toxins from the body makes the skin glow as the toxins are removed. It is advisable to chew on some cardamom to help flush out toxins and impurities from the body.
9. Imparts Fragrance
Cardamom is added to cosmetic products to give fragrance. The herbal product has a unique spicy and sweet scent, which makes it a popular ingredient in cosmetics. Cardamom and its essential oil are used in various cosmetic products, such as body wash, perfumes, and soaps.
10. Cardamom Cleanses The Scalp
Cardamom essential oil has a nourishing effect on the scalp. One tablespoon of the essential oil should be mixed with a ¼ tablespoon of olive oil and one tablespoon of honey. The mixture should be massaged into the scalp and left on the scalp for 15 minutes.
After the 15 minutes are over, the scalp should be washed using clean water. Cardamom has the activity of an exfoliating agent, which stimulates the scalp providing nourishment to the hair follicles.
Possible Side Effects Of Cardamom
Allergic Reactions
Cardamom is likely to cause some unexplained allergic reactions if it is used in large quantities. Contact dermatitis is likely to occur when cardamom essential oil is applied to the skin in large amounts. Individuals who are sensitive to cardamom are likely to develop hives. Respiratory allergic reactions that are common are chest pain, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and an uncomfortable feeling within the chest.
Gallstones Complications
According to WebMD, excessive intake of cardamom can lead to the development of gallstones because a high concentration of cardamom in the body interferes with its absorption.
Drug Interactions
Some drugs have been shown to interact with cardamom when they are taken together. The interaction of cardamom with drugs may interfere with the metabolism of these drugs, leading to their increased concentration in the body.
Some of the medications that may interact with cardamom include aspirin, liver medicines, HIV drugs, anticoagulants, and anti-platelet medicines. It is advisable to check with a healthcare provider before using these medicines along with cardamom.
Top Cardamom Skincare Products:
Fig + Yarrow Body Scrub
This body scrub is made of exfoliating and anti-oxidizing ingredients that improve the complexion of the skin leaving it glowing. Ingredients include cardamom, coffee, castor oil, and cocoa. It is sold for $48.00.
Lotus Moon Cardamom Bamboo Polishing Crème
The polishing crème contains bamboo stem extract, which helps remove dead cells from the skin. It also contains lactic acid that brightens the skin and keeps it hydrated. The application of this product on the skin helps remove debris, dead skin cells, and skin oil, leaving the skin smooth and gentle. The price of this product is $26.00.
Cardamom Skincare Final Thoughts
Cardamom is a highly valued medicinal plant due to its health benefits. Besides the health benefits, cardamom is also associated with some side effects, such as allergic reactions and drug interactions. It is advisable to weigh the health benefits and the adverse effects to assess the risk of using the medicinal plant before use for maximum benefit.
