A BOTANICAL PROFILE

GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS

Cardamom

Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton

Chemotype: alpha-terpinyl-acetate / 1,8-cineole type

freshterpenesweetspicypeppery
PLANT PART
seed
EXTRACTION
steam distillation
AROMA NOTE
top-mid

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LEARN AS YOU COMPARE

What’s inside this oil?

Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.

I’m interested in

Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.

Finding the matching oil reports…

FOLLOW YOUR SENSES

Aroma & character

A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.

freshterpenesweetspicypeppery
Aroma intensity
100 / 100
Soft & subtleBold & expressive
Note layer
top-mid
Approximate tenacity
1.5–1.5 hours

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A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY

Using it thoughtfully

Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.

Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
4%
Phototoxicity
Not flagged in this profile
Oxidation risk
medium

A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.

The reviewed cardamom seed-oil sources do not identify this oil as phototoxic.

Contraindications & cautions

  • moderateBecause of its 1,8-cineole content, cardamom oil should not be applied on or near the face of infants and young children.
Read the complete safety guide
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches

A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT

Inside the oil

8 constituents

An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.

About this composition

This record is anchored to a directly readable cardamom GC/MS report whose dominant constituents are alpha-terpinyl acetate and 1,8-cineole, matching standard cardamom quality descriptions. The reviewed references consistently place cardamom in a cineolic-spicy, fresh terpene profile.

ConstituentTypical amountReported rangeChemical familySource
alpha-Terpinyl acetate
38.43%
38.43–38.43%monoterpene ester
View source

Sample Information GC/MS Physical Data - Cardamom Essential Oil

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Cardamom-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13517.pdf (page 2, line 76; 38.43%)
1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol)
30.93%
30.93–30.93%oxide
View source

Sample Information GC/MS Physical Data - Cardamom Essential Oil

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Cardamom-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13517.pdf (page 1, line 46; 30.93%)
Limonene
6.9%
6.9–6.9%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Sample Information GC/MS Physical Data - Cardamom Essential Oil

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Cardamom-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13517.pdf (page 1, line 44; 6.9%)
Linalool
5.1%
5.1–5.1%monoterpene alcohol
View source

Sample Information GC/MS Physical Data - Cardamom Essential Oil

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Cardamom-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13517.pdf (page 1, line 52; 5.1%)
Linalyl acetate
7.9%
—monoterpene ester
View source

Elettaria cardamomum seed EO, GC/MS Table 3 (NCBI PMC9793757)

Sabinene
5.1%
—monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Elettaria cardamomum seed EO, GC/MS Table 3 (NCBI PMC9793757)

alpha-Terpineol
2.4%
—monoterpene alcohol
View source

Elettaria cardamomum seed EO, GC/MS Table 3 (NCBI PMC9793757)

Myrcene
2.1%
—monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Elettaria cardamomum seed EO, GC/MS Table 3 (NCBI PMC9793757)

Profile source: ISO 4733:2004 Oil of cardamom; Sample Information GC/MS Physical Data - Cardamom Essential Oil; Health Canada Aromatherapy Monograph; Cardamom Essential Oil | PerfumersWorld · https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/36803/52f17d989ab04a4f836980d316fcce22/ISO-4733-2004.pdf ; https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Cardamom-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13517.pdf ; https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq?atid=aromatherap&lang=eng ; https://www.perfumersworld.com/view.php?pro_id=7SC00084

A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY

Traditional & reported uses

These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.

  • traditionally used in aromatherapy for warming, uplifting, and digestive comfort
  • reported use in blends associated with easing occasional digestive unease
  • used in perfumery for a warm, spicy-sweet, slightly camphoraceous note
  • traditionally associated with Ayurvedic and Middle Eastern culinary-aromatic traditions
  • reported use in massage blends for a warming, comforting sensory experience
Explore related intentionsUplift & Mood ↗

For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.

What we're still learning · 1 data gaps

Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.

  • No public source reviewed in this pass exposed a source-backed 0-100 volatility-rate measurement for cardamom essential oil.