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ETYMOLOGY
Caraway (Carum carvi): from Medieval Latin carvi, from karawy, and this in turn from the greek karon, the original name of the plant.
BOTANICAL INFORMATION
Family: Apiaceae
Description: A biennial herbaceous plant; its stem becomes extensively branched in the second year and reaches about 0.75 m.
Habitat: A native of Europe and western Asia; naturalized in North America.
Cultivation: The harvested plant comes from crops produced in Poland, Holland, Germany and eastern Egypt. Harvesting usually occurs before the fruit is fully ripened; it is at this time that it has the highest content of essential oil.
Method of Harvest:
The seeds (which are actually the plant’s fruit) are collected in August-September.
Parts Utilized:
Seeds.
ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS: Essential Oils
MODE OF ACTION
Actions: Caraway has carminative actions on the stomach.
Precautions: There are no known side effects reported for this plant, therefore it is not necessary to take any special precautions for use at recommended doses.
COMMON INDICATIONS
As a medicinal herb: Caraway is useful in the treatment of dyspepsia, digestive atonia, and flatulence.
Traditional use:
In folk medicine, caraway is used as an expectorant, for stomach maladies such as dyspepsia and indigestion, and for menstrual disorders. Across Europe, the Middle East and in the New World, caraway was a perfect addition to traditional herbal laxatives, due to its ability to temper the harsh effects they often brought about.
PREPARATION AND USE
Internal Use: The average recommended daily dose is 1.5-6 grams of the plant. As an infusion: 1-2 teaspoons caraway seeds (2-5 g) soaked in 150 mL of boiling water, strain after 5-10 minutes. Take 2-4 cups of this hot infusion per day, between meals and whenever appropriate.
HISTORY AND LEGENDS
The Greek physician Dioscorides made mention of caraway seeds for use in promoting digestion, and in later times it was recommended for digestive disorders, infantile colic and gas. During the time of Shakespeare, apples baked with caraway seeds were a common dessert considered soothing for the stomach.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Reference
“Effect of dietary caraway (Carum carvi L.) on aberrant crypt foci development, fecal steroids, and intestinal alkaline phosphatase activities in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis.” Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2006 Aug 1;214(3):290-6. Epub 2006 Feb 17
“Studies on the antihypertensive, antispasmodic, bronchodilator and hepatoprotective activities of the Carum copticum seed extract.” J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Apr 8;98(1-2):127-35.
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