Caraway Essence
Description
CARAWAY (Carum carvi)
Family: Umbelliferae (parsley)
Source: The Essential oil is obtained from the seeds and crushed fruit.
Fragrance: Warm and spicy, musky.
Volatility: Top note
General description and habitat:
Biennial; native to south-east Europe; grows in the wild and in cultivation throughout Europe and temperate Asia; has become naturalized in the USA; height up to 60 cm; feathery leaves with umbels of pink or white small flowers; seeds are sickle-shaped and striped and may be confused with cumin.
Principal constituents: Carvone, carvacol, carvene, limonene.
History
History and folk use:
Archeologists have found fossilized caraway seeds in Neolithic and Mesolithic sites which shows use up to 8,000 years ago. Used by the ancient Egyptians in religious ritual and cooking for digestion. The Romans chewed them as a breath sweetener after meals and they are often used in Indian cooking. In English the name may have been derived from the Arabic: al-karawiya.
Properties & Uses
General properties: Antispasmodic, carminative, emmenagogic, galactagogic, stimulant, stomachic, warming.
Primary Uses:
Digestive (Stimulates Digestion),
Menstruation
Secondary Uses:
| Abdominal Distension, | Aching, |
| Air Swallowing, | Arthritis, |
| Breast Milk (Increases Flow) , | Colic, |
| Diuretic, | Dizziness, |
| Flatulence, | Fluid retention, |
| Gastritis, | Gout, |
| Indigestion, | Irritability, |
| Loss Of Appetite, | Low Body Temperature, |
| Lymphadenitis, | Nausea, |
| Pleurisy, | Poor Circulation, |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis, | Scabies, |
| Stomach Tonic, | Vertigo, |
| Worms. |
Contraindications
Do not use in pregnancy.
May cause irritation, therefore use low concentrations.
Caraway oil has approval status by the German Commission E.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
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