Cardamom oil is steam distilled from the seeds of the plant. It is one of the most aromatic and useful spice oils in perfumery, supporting citrus, floral, woody and a variety of other types of fragrances. It is generally used in fairly small quantities, so IFRA restrictions on its use are not severe.
The smell of cardamom oil is warm-spicy, aromatic. Initially, pervasively camphoraceous-cineole-like or somewhat medicinal, reminiscent of eucalyptus. Later it becomes balsamic-woody, increasingly sweet and almost floral in the finish.
Cardamom oil is one of the oldest known essential oils. Already Valerius Cordus (German botanist, physician, pharmacologist and humanist naturalist) described the scent of cardamom oil and its distillation in 1540.
About its use in perfumery, the oil imparts not only pungency but also a warm, sweet note that matches floral base notes such as lily of the valley and rose. Probably the most similar spice to cardamom in terms of fragrance character is coriander oil. If you are looking for a substitute for cardamom for your own perfume, which offers a little less spice, but freshness and a certain fruitiness, you can take the so-called chemically produced "cardamom aldehyde" to hand.