Cardamom is a plant and an herb.

• botanical information
• history
• part used
• nutritional information
• astrological correspondences
• magick correspondences and uses
• magick incense
• health care
• Ayurvedic herbalism
• cautions and contraindications

botanical information:

    Botanical name: Elettario cardamomum

    Common name: cardamom

    Use the botanical name when ordering seeds (bulbs, etc.) or when looking up information in the library. Common names vary by nation, culture, and region, and sometimes the same common name is applied to different plants.

history:

    History: Cardamom was one of the ingredients mentioned in the Eber’s Papyrus. The Eber’s Papyrus (from between 1600 B.C.E. and 1550 B.C.E.), was discovered by German Egyptologist Georg Ebers in 1874 C.E. The Eber’s Papyrus is the oldest known complete medical textbook in existence. Most scholars believe that it is copy of a much earlier text, probably from around 3100 B.C.E. The Eber’s Papyrus includes information on surgery and internal medicine, including a list of more than 800 drugs.

    Cardamom was listed among many aromatic plants in a scroll of cuneiform from the great library at Nineveh. The library at Nineveh was established by King Ashurbanipal of Assyria (668-633 B.C.E.).

part used:

Part Used: The seed, removed from the pod, and ground. Information courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs

nutritional information:

    Cardamom is a spice that increases sexual energy and enhances fertility.

astrological correspondences:

    Astrological planet: Venus

magickal correspondences and uses:

    Incense: Cardamom incense or herb is appropriate for burning in love spells, such as the Aphrodite New Moon love spell, Hecate black candle love spell, or Isis Full Moon love spell.

    Gender: feminine (traditional western European magickal gender)

    Love bath: A love bath is a safe and easy way for anyone to cast a love ritual. Cardamom is used in Scott Cunningham’s love bath number three. See the article on love baths for more information.

    Venus spells: Cardamom (as herb or essential oil) may be used in as an ingredient or substitute for magick spells and formulas related to Venus matters (beauty, compassion, fidelity, friendship, happiness, interchanges, joy, love, luck, meditation, pleasure, reconciliation, and youth). Be careful about substitutions for preparations that will be ingested or come in contact with the skin. These substitutions do not apply to medical uses. See the article on Venus for a list of herbal substitutes for cardamom.

    Using essential oils: Essential oils are just too concentrated and too expensve to use without dilution. If you purchase pure essential oil from a source such as Mountain Rose, you will want to place just a drop or two into a neutral carrier vegetable oil or jojoba. This conservation is typical of the use of essential oils in spells and other magick. It is wise to test a bit of any essential oil on your inner wrist before use. If any irritation occurs, do not use the essential oil. Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets and away from heat and light. See the article on essential oils for detailed information on how to mix and use essential oils.

    Love spells: Cardamom flowers are appropriate for use in love spells, such as the Aphrodite New Moon love spell.

    Magickal substitutions: Rosemary usually may be safely substituted for any herb in magick spells and rituals. Roses may safely be substituted for any flower.

Magical Uses Lust, Love information courtesy of

health care uses:

    Health Notice: Attempting to be an amateur doctor is potentially dangerous to your health. This web page is not professional medical advice. Nothing on this website should be considered as a substitute or replacement for professional medical advice. Persons should seek the advice of qualified health providers. Self-medication should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care. Please confirm all self-medication with your doctor or health care professional. See the article on healing for recommended healers.

traditional medicine:

    Traditional Medicine: While many traditional practices have been scientifically verified, some are now known to be dangerous. Seek the advice of qualified health care providers.

    Traditional medicinal uses: Cardamom was one of the ingredients mentioned in the Eber’s Papyrus. The Eber’s Papyrus is the oldest known complete medical textbook in existence. Most scholars believe that it is copy of a much earlier text, probably from around 3100 B.C.E. Note that not all traditional medications are effective or even safe.

Ayurvedic herbalism:

    Ayurvedic Doshas: VK- P+ Vata decreases; Kapha; decreasesPitta increases.

    For more information, see the article on Ayurvedic medicine.

herbal healing:

The primary medicinal use of cardamom is as a carminative, to prevent flatulence. Preliminary findings from laboratory research suggest that regular use of cardamom might help prevent colon cancer, and in the Ayurvedic formula Unmadnashak Ghrita, cardamom, along with brahmi, gardenia, asafetida, and ghee, may be a mild sedative. Information courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs

cautions and contraindications:

    Cautions and contraindications: Cardamom is believed to be safe.

    Wild gathering: Avoid wild gathering. Some plants are endangered species. Please grow your own herbs in your own goddess garden (or window boxes).

See also: herbs

next herb