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by Amelia E. Hoard, RN
Common Name: Caraway
Synonyms: Apium carvi, carum
Latin Binomial: Carum carvi
Family: Apiaceae
Production Method: steam distilled from ripe dried, crushed seed
Countries of Origin: Native to Europe and Western Asia, now widely cultivated.
Typical Constituents: [+]-Carvone (47.3-59.5%), [+]-Limonene (36.9-48.8%),
b-Myrcene (0.2-1.0%)
Description of Oil: pale yellow to brownish with an intense warm, spicy odor
Description of Plant: A biennial herb with a many branched stem, finely defined leaves, and white flowers. The seeds are curved with five distinct pale ridges.
History, Folklore and Myth: Sometimes known as ‘Meadow Cumin’, with a history dating back to the Stone Age. Used in Egypt as flavoring and found in burial places, in Rome to flavor bread and gained a reputation in Arabia for sharpening eyesight and sweetening breath.
Properties and Uses: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, aperitif, astringent, carminative, diuretic, digestive, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, spasmolytic, stomachic, tonic, vermifuge.
Precautions and Contraindications: non-toxic and non-sensitizing
References:
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Virginia, Queensland, Australia: The Perfect Potion. 1995.
Lawless, Julia. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. Shaftesbury, Dorset. Element Books. 1995.
Tisserand, Robert, and Tony Balacs. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. 1995.
Sellar, Wanda. The Directory of Essential Oils. London: Random House. 2005