A close relative to Ginger, Cardamom is known as being the most expensive cooking spice. Native to Southeast Asia, Cardamom is added to traditional Indian sweets and teas for its cool, yet minty aroma and flavor. It is for this reason that it is also used to flavour pharmaceutical products. Apart from pharmaceutical usage, cardamom oil is also used as a fragrant in soaps, perfumes and cosmetic products.

Cardamom is commonly used to help reduce indigestion and nausea, and to soothe stomach discomfort and promote digestion. It has a distinct, mild, pleasant scent that promotes positive mood, while lessoning motion sickness. Cardamom oil has a vast range of usage for treatment of back discomfort, coughs, abdominal discomfort, spasm and nervous tension. Traditionally, it is used for respiratory support, fever, digestive and urinary complaints in India and China for over 3000 years.

This is a versatile oil - like so many.  Cardamom has profound effects on the respiratory system due to its high 1,8-cineole content, which promotes clear breathing and respiratory health. 

dōTERRA Cardamom essential oil is extracted from Cardamom seeds grown in Guatemala, using strict CPTG® testing standards. If Cardamom isn't fantastic enough, the sourcing arrangement is having a significant impact on the lives of local partners, ensuring that these farming communities enjoy improved livelihoods. Another example of how essential oils change lives - using them, producing them and sharing them!

EMOTIONAL BENEFITS of Cardamom, the Oil of Objectivity. 

It is helpful for those who hyper-focus on their problems, especially their problems and frustrations. Cardamom assists individuals to break down or "digest" emotions of frustration and anger. This may be a great one if you have a teenager who needs some perspective or for someone who tends to blame others for their feeling.  (Emotions & Essential Oils, 3rd ed.)

USES

• Use internally as part of a daily health regimen to support healthy gastrointestinal function.
• Diffuse or apply topically to promote clear breathing. 
• Add to bread, smoothies, meats, and salads to enhance food flavor and aid digestion.
• Diffuse or inhale to alleviate feelings of nausea or motion sickness. 

This is quickly becoming one of my favorites!

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of your choice.
Internal use: Dilute one drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid.
Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with dōTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil to minimize any skin sensitivity. See additional precautions below. 

Early on my journey, I tried grapefruit essential oil in my water and my lips went numb. I put that on my list of substances to avoid and moved on. Then, a week ago, I was in a meeting with a friend when she took out one of her oils, put a drop in her hand, rubbed them together. As she did that, the room filled with the sharp, clean, fresh and light top notes with slightly sweet, citrusy undertones of - GRAPEFRUIT! Cue music...Love is in the air.... Seriously, two people who were passing by stopped, turned around and asked if they could come join us for a second of two. Love it!

Grapefruit is a big tree with glossy leaves and large fruits. The essential oil is expressed from the peel of the ripe fruit. From the peel is significant - this makes it safe for those who are on cholesterol medications to go ahead and enjoy the essential oil, while avoiding the fruit. 

As an oil, grapefruit has immune boosting, cleansing, and relaxing properties. It is used as an astringent, sanitizer, diuretic, and congestion remover for the gall bladder and liver. Psychologically, grapefruit is refreshing and reviving, helping to alleviate stress, sadness/grief, nervous exhaustion and tension. Grapefruit lifts the self esteem and promotes optimism.  I can attest to that after my friend surprised me with grapefruit on that day. 

Some ideas on how to utilize grapefruit:

• To relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder: (My friends in the South may not have as much experience with this as my friends in the North / Midwest. It's real and it's a bummer) Diffuse grapefruit morning, noon and night! Apply to bottoms of feet and back of the neck. 

• As an appetite suppressant, several drops grapefruit in a glass of water is very effective, several times a day. I am enjoying that right now - and my lips are fine! So happy about this. 

• To help eliminate cellulite, blend 10 drops of grapefruit and 8 drops lemon with 2 tablespoons of fractionated coconut and apply to areas of concern to eliminate toxins and reduce the adipose cells that may be boarding toxins and be fat destinations. Apply several times a day. 

Diffusing grapefruit at home, in the car, or using through an inhaler will keep the spirits high during weight loss, moves to a new job or him, travel, or  when coin something as simple but stressful as cleaning a closet!

Grapefruit is my new friend and travel companion!

Reference: Living Healthy & Happily Every After, Rebecca Linder Hintze and Dr. Susan Lawton