Caraway Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Alcaravea, Anis Canadien, Anis des Prés, Anis des Vosges, Apium Carvi, Carraway, Carvi, Carvi Commun, Carvi Fructus, Cumin des Montagnes, Cumin des Prés, Faux Anis, Haravi, Jeera, Jira, Kala Jira, Karwiya, Krishan Jeeraka, Krishnajiraka, Kummel, Kummich, Roman Cumin, Semen Cumini Pratensis, Semences de Carvi, Shahijra, Shiajira, Wiesen-Feldkummel, Wild Cumin CAUTION: Please refer to separate listings for Bishop's Weed, Black Seed
Scientific Name
Carum Carvi
Why Do People Use Caraway?
Orally, caraway seed powder is used for digestive problems including dyspepsia, distention, flatulence, and mild spastic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Caraway oil is also used as an expectorant, to promote lactation and menstruation, to relieve menstrual cramps, for incontinence, and as an antibacterial and laxative.
Topically, caraway is used as a component of mouthwashes and in skin rubs to improve local blood flow.
In foods, caraway is used as a cooking spice.
In manufacturing, caraway oil is used as a flavoring agent in pharmaceutical compounding. Caraway oil is commonly utilized as a fragrance in the manufacturing of toothpaste, soap, and cosmetics.
Is It Safe To Use?
Likely Safe - when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Caraway has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US.
Possibly Safe - when caraway oil is used orally in medicinal amounts when used orally, short-term. There is some evidence that caraway seed can be used safely for up to 8 weeks.
Pregnancy an Lactation - when used in medicinal amounts. Caraway oil has been used to stimulate menstruation; avoid using.
How Effective Is Caraway?
Dyspepsia - Taking caraway oil orally as a specific combination with peppermint oil (Enteroplant, Spitzner Arzneimittel) seems to relieve non-ulcerative dyspepsia, including symptoms of fullness and mild gastrointestinal (GI) spasms. The combination of enteric-coated peppermint oil 90 mg and caraway oil 50 mg, which is not available in the US, appears to be comparable to cisapride for relieving dyspepsia. A specific combination product containing caraway (Iberogast, Medical Futures, Inc) also seems to improve symptoms of dyspepsia. The combination includes caraway plus clown's mustard plant, peppermint leaf, chamomile, licorice, milk thistle, angelica, celandine, and lemon balm. A meta-analysis of studies using this combination product suggests that taking 1 mL orally three times daily over a period of 4-weeks significantly reduces severity of acid reflux, epigastric pain, cramping, nausea and vomiting compared to placebo.
How Caraway Works?
he applicable parts of caraway are the seed, fruits, and oils. The caraway fruits contain 2% to 7% volatile oil, consisting mainly of carvone and limonene. Caraway seed also contain carveol, dihydrocarveol, thymol, and flavonoids. There's preliminary evidence that peppermint oil in combination with caraway oil can reduce gastroduodenal motility when administered orally in enteric-coated capsules. Preliminary evidence also indicates that the volatile oil constituent carvone induces glutathione S-transferase (GST), which might inhibit carcinogenesis. Caraway might also have antihistamine activity. Caraway might also have antibacterial and antiulcer effects.
Preliminary research suggests that caraway might have anti hyperglycemic activity. This effect appears to be independent of insulin secretion. It might inhibit production of glucose by the liver or increase uptake of glucose by peripheral tissues.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Caraway?
Orally, caraway oil when used in combination with peppermint oil may cause a substernal burning sensation, belching, nausea, and vomiting.
How Caraway Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
Theoretically, caraway might have additive effects with herbs that decrease blood glucose levels. Herbs with hypoglycemic potential include devil's claw, fenugreek, guar gum, Panax ginseng, and Siberian ginseng.
How Caraway Interacts With Drugs?
Antidiabetes Drugs - Theoretically, caraway might reduce blood glucose levels and might have additive effects on glucose levels when used with antidiabetes drugs. Monitor blood glucose levels closely. Medication dose adjustments may be necessary. Some antidiabetes drugs include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta), Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others.
How Caraway Interacts With Foods?
None known.
How Caraway Interacts With Lab Tests?
Blood Glucose - Theoretically, caraway might lower blood glucose and test results.
How Caraway Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
Diabetes - Theoretically, caraway might alter blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Blood glucose should be monitored closely.
Surgery - Caraway might affect blood glucose levels. Theoretically, caraway might interfere with blood glucose control during and after surgical procedures.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Caraway?
ORAL - For non-ulcerative dyspepsia, caraway oil 50-100 mg per day has been used in combination with peppermint oil. A specific combination product containing caraway (Iberogast, Medical Futures, Inc) and several other herbs has been used in a dose of 1 mL three times daily.
Comments
Superstitions held that caraway had the power to prevent the theft of any object that contained the seed and to keep lovers from losing interest with one another.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
