August 28, 2002

CARAWAY

Latin Name: Carum carvi

Alternate Names: Karawya, Roman Cumin

Family: APIACEAE

Parts Used: Seeds.

Properties: Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Aperitive, Aromatic, Astringent, Carminative, Circulatory Stimulant, Digestive Tonic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Galactagogue, Stomach Tonic, Stimulant, Tonic, Vermifuge.

Internal Uses: Bronchitis, Chemotherapy Nausea, Colic, Cramps, Crohn's Disease, Dysmenorrhea, Dyspepsia, Flatulence, Hiccups, Hysteria, Wheezing

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

Caraway improves circulation and is used as a calming herb for a wide variety of gastrointestinal problems. It aids in the digestion of starches. Being an antispasmodic it can help relax intestinal and uterine cramping. It can be made into a tea to relieve respiratory congestion. Excellent to use for childrens' digestive problems.

Topical Uses: Bruises

Topical Applications: Poultice for bruises. Essential oil used in mouthwash and gargles.

Eating a few seeds after a meal freshens the breath. Chew the seeds for shortness of breath when traveling to high elevations.

Culinary uses: Caraway is added to cabbage, cheese, crackers, pickles, rye bread, liquers, soups and roasted apples. Leaves may be chopped and added to salads. Root is also edible as a vegetable. Kümmel and Aquavit are digestive liqueurs.

Energetics: Pungent, Warm.

Chemical Constituents: Essential oil (arvene, carvone, limonene), linoleic acid, oleic acid, flavonoids, polysaccharides, tannins, coumarins, resin.

Comments: Peasants have fed Caraway seeds to their chickens, geese and pigeons to keep them from straying. Holland is the world's largest producer of Caraway.

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), August 28, 2002

Answers

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), August 28, 2002.