Elaichi earned its place in the Unani materia medica long before it became a kitchen spice: warming, carminative and kind to a difficult stomach. Laraib distils the green pods whole, catching the volatile oil at its most aromatic, and supplies it in a small 10 ml bottle because a genuine cardamom oil is measured in drops, never in spoonfuls.
What it is traditionally used for
- Taken for complaints of the digestive system, particularly a heavy or uneasy stomach after meals
- Long used to help relieve acidity and the burning that comes with it
- Given for a stomach upset by stress, worry or irregular eating
- Traditionally taken to ease constipation and encourage a regular habit
- Used as a mouth freshener that clears bad breath at the source rather than masking it
How it is made
Whole green pods from a single growing region are cracked at the point of use and steam-distilled at low pressure, so the delicate volatile fraction is captured rather than cooked off. The distillate is then blended into a small measure of cold-pressed sesame oil to make it easy to dose. Nothing synthetic, no added flavour, no preservative.
How to take it
Two to three drops on a sugar cube, a piece of betel leaf or in a little warm water, after meals. For a heavy stomach take it once after the evening meal; for wind or acidity, twice a day is usual. It may also be dropped onto the tongue and left for a moment to freshen the mouth. The taste is strong and sweet — dilute it if you find it sharp.
Good to know
- Concentrated 10 ml pack — used by the drop, so one bottle goes a long way
- 100% natural steam-distilled cardamom, with no artificial flavour or preservative
- Made by Laraib Herbal Pharma, DRAP-licensed Unani manufacturers in Multan
- Keep the dropper clean and the cap tight so the aroma does not escape
Erum Farooq (verified owner) –
Bought it mainly as a mouth freshener before meetings and it does the job better than any mint. Also settled my stomach during Ramzan. Would prefer a 30 ml option for regular users.
Zain Abbas (verified owner) –
My father in Sargodha has taken cardamom oil for years from the local pansar shop and says this one is cleaner and stronger. He uses it after lunch. The dropper is neat and does not leak in the post.
Hamza Aslam (verified owner) –
It works for acidity, I will give it that, and my breath is fresher. But the bottle is tiny for the price and the taste is very sharp taken straight, you must dilute it. Fine product, just manage your expectations on quantity.
Iqra Qureshi (verified owner) –
Two drops in warm water after dinner and the bloating I used to get every night has more or less gone. I am in Karachi and eat out too often, so this bottle stays in my handbag. Genuinely smells like real cardamom.