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Alternative medicine: Caraway
Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:59:26
By Patricia Khashayar, MD., Press TV, Tehran
Caraway oil has long been used as a carminative herbal remedy, effective in treating
dyspepsia, hysteria and many other disorders.
Botanical: Carum Carvi (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Umbelliferae
Habitat:
Caraway is native to Central Europe and Western Asia.
Description:
Caraway is a biennial plant with small reddish-white flowers and crescent-shaped fruits.
Part Used Medicinally:
Fruits incorrectly called 'caraway seeds'.
Constituents:
The seeds or fruit contain 3% to 7% essential oil and fatty oil. Caraway oil contains 50-65%
D-carvone and 20-30% limonene; the other components such as carveol, dihydrocarveol,
alpha and beta-pinene, sabinene and perillyl alcohol are of minor importance.
Medicinal Uses:
At one time, caraway was widely employed as a carminative cordial, and recommended in
dyspepsia and hysteria.
Carminatives are herbs that help alleviate gastrointestinal pain, and flatulence.
Caraway also helps treat liver and gallbladder problems and dysmenorrhea.
It aids in treating bronchitis, colds, coughs, sore throats and fever.
It possesses tonic properties and improves appetite.
Caraway also reduces blood cholesterol levels.
Distilled Caraway water is considered a useful remedy in infantile flatulent colic.
Because of its high limonene content chewing fresh caraway seed helps combat bad breath.
The pounded seeds were a traditional earache remedy and are effective in treating bruises.
Caraway's volatile oil is a useful remedy for bowel spasms and irritable bowel syndrome. It
also has anti-cancer, antibacterial, and antidiabetic properties.
Caraway tea is good for periodontal disease and canker sores. It can prevent and treat iron-
deficiency anemia by facilitating the intestine's iron absorption.
http://www.presstv.com/pop/print.aspx?id=40031 3/17/2008

2. Press TV Print Page 2 of 2
A mouthwash made from caraway seed and peppermint oil, menthol, chamomile tincture,
Echinacea, myrrh tincture, clove oil is effective in gingivitis.
When combined with peppermint, fennel, and wormwood, caraway has a soothing effect on
the gastrointestinal system.
A combination of caraway and fennel helps treat flatulence and mild abdominal cramping,
especially in children.
Preparation:
Caraway tea is prepared by adding 1-2 tea spoons of pounded seed to 150 milliliters of
boiling water and infusing it for 10-15 minutes. The tea should be taken 1 to 3 times a day.
When taken in the form of an essential oil, 2 to 3 drops should be administered daily.
Caution
Caraway is generally safe for internal use. However, the purified volatile oil should not be
used by children under the age of two as it can cause skin and mucous membrane irritations.
Large amounts of the oil can have abortifacient and neurotoxic effects and should be avoided,
especially by pregnant women. It may also cause kidney and liver damage.
PKH/HGH
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http://www.presstv.com/pop/print.aspx?id=40031 3/17/2008