Carum carvi
Umbelliferae
Names:
Habitat: Native to Europe, Asia and North Africa, widely cultivated.
Collection: The flowering heads (umbels) are collected in July and left to ripen. The seeds are then easily collected as they can be shaken off.
Part Used: The seeds.
Constituents:
- Volatile oil, consisting of carvone
(40-60%) andlimonene, with dihydrocarvone, carveol, dihydrocarveol, pinen, thujone, and other minor constiruents
- Flavonoids; mainly quercetin derivatives
- Miscellaneous; polysaccharide, protein, fixed oil calcium oxalate.
Actions: Carminative, anti-spasmodic, expectorant, emmenagogue, galactogogue, astringent, anti-microbial.
Indications: Caraway is used as a calming herb to ease
flatulentdyspepsia and intestinal colic, especially in children. It will stimulate the appetite. Its astringency will help in the treatment ofdiarrhoea as well as in laryngitis as a gargle, It can be used in bronchitis and bronchial asthma. Its anti-spasmodic actions help in the relief of period pains. It has been used to increase milkflow in nursing mothers.
Combinations: For flatulence and colic Caraway combines well with Chamomile and Calamus, in diarrhoea with Agrimony and Bayberry and in bronchitis with White Horehound.
Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l teaspoonful of freshly crushed seeds and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Tincture: take l-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.