Caraway: Carum carvi L.

Caraway Essential Oil

Latin Name: Carum carvi L.

Source: Holland

Part of plant: Seed

Grade: Organic

Aroma Character: woody, spicy, typical of the plant

Blends Well with: Basil, Coriander, Ginger

Caraway traditional actions: Stomach-strengthening, stimulates appetite, supports digestion, carminative, anti-spasmodic; antiseptic, vermifuge; stimulates bile production and emptying of gallbladder; expectorant.

Caraway traditional uses: Stomach pain, digestive complaints, lack of appetite, aerophagy, flatulence, liver-gallbladder insufficiencies; bronchitis; intestinal parasites.

Caraway Main components: Carvone, carvene, carvarcol, limonene, myrcene, trans-hydrocarvone.

Caraway is a biennial herb which grows up to 0.75 metres high with a much branched stem, finely cut leaves and umbels of white flowers, with a thick and tapering root. The small seeds are curved with five distinct pale ridges.

Caraway is used extensively as a domestic spice, especially in bread, cakes and cheeses. Traditional remedy for dyspepsia, intestinal colic, menstrual cramps, poor appetite, laryngitis and bronchitis. It promotes milk secretion and is considered specific for flatulence colic in children, according to the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.