Caraway fruit has several names like- Carvi fructus, Carum carvi L, meridian fennel, Persian cumin, etc.

Habitat

Carvi fructus is a biennial plant1 from the family Apiaceae. This plant is native to North Africa, western Asia, and Europe and cultivated for commercial use.

They typically grow on rocky mountainsides. The Carvi Fructus plant requires warm, sunny conditions as well as well-drained, organically rich soil.

Taxonomic information

Order: Apiales

Family: Apiaceae

Genus: Carum

Species: Carvi Fructus

Description

The stems of the caraway fruit plant range in length from 7.9 to 11.8 inches (20–30 cm).

The main flower stem is 16–24 inches (40–60 cm). It blooms in umbels of small pink or white flowers. Achenes are crescent-shaped seeds with five pale ridges that are about 0.08 inches long.

Part used

Caraway seeds are high in fiber and contain a variety of essential minerals.

Magnesium, iron, calcium, and copper are some of them. It’s also a great source of antioxidants.

Traditional Uses and benefits

The Greek Dioscorides introduced caraway fruit as a tonic herb. For centuries, it has been used as traditional medicine.

  1. Caraway tea is a common herbal medicine made from comminuted or whole caraway fruit.
  2. The chemical compounds of this fruit exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
  3. The seeds of this plant have been used to treat many digestive conditions, like- stomach ulcers and indigestion.
  4. Caraway fruit may promote weight loss. But the person should consult with a physician.
  5. Caraway fruits have a variety of ways to use in the kitchen. Essential oils are used to make a variety of medicines and liqueurs.
  6. It is also used in casseroles, desserts, and various foods. The leaves can be combined with salads, soups, and stews for herbal effects. 
  7. Caraway fruit oil is also used as a fragrance ingredient in perfumes, soaps, and lotions.

Dosage and Precautions

Although no clear dosage2 has been established, some research suggests that 1 to 6.7 grams (1/2-1 tablespoon) of the whole Caraway should be divided into three daily doses.

It comes in various dosage forms, as capsules, extracts, and essential oils. Indeed, the fruit or seeds are helpful too.

 

Toxicity

Caraway fruit medications3 should not be given to people who are allergic or hypersensitive to the fruit.

When combined with peppermint oil, caraway oil can cause nausea, burping, and heartburn. Broken skin should not be treated with caraway fruit oil. For many people, an excessive amount of oil can cause itching and skin rashes.

 

Warning

During pregnancy, the caraway medicines are likely unsafe and should be administered by a pharmacist or physician’s suggestion. It may cause serious problems if applied to the skin during pregnancy.

If you are breastfeeding, always take the advice of a physician before having caraway medicines. The chemicals from this herb might decrease blood sugar. Its extract might enhance the consumption of iron.

Overuse of caraway extract, including iron-containing food or iron supplements, might raise iron in the body. You should discontinue utilizing Caraway at least two weeks before any surgery because of its nature of lowering blood sugar levels.

Related Articles

Health Benefits of Bryony (Bryonia alba)

Health Benefits of Bugleweed (Ajuga Reptans)

CALUMBA (Jateorhiza calumba)

Capsicum (Capsicum annuum)

Reference

  1. Biennial plant: Retrieved from the ema.europa.eu website.

https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/carvi-fructus#overview-section

  1. No cleared dosage: Retrieved from the healthline.com website.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caraway#bottom-line

  1. Caraway fruit medications: Retrieved from the webmd.com website.

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-204/caraway

DISCLAIMER

The content and information on newerapost for information and educational purposes only. It is not for self-diagnosis and self-treatment. The content is not a medical manual. Before beginning the use of any prescription, medication and pursuing any self-treatment, all readers should consult a physician.

The information given in this article is intended to help you make informed decisions for your health. You must consult with your doctor before pursuing any natural remedies if you are under care for any health condition.

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