Caraway

Related Terms

1,8-Cineol, 2,4(10)-thujadien, 2-methoxy-2-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol, 2-methyl-3-phenyl-propanal, 5-methoxypsoralen, abscisic acid, acetaldehyde, alanine, alcaravea (Spanish), alcar?via (Portuguese), almindelig kommen (Danish), alpha-linolenic acid, alpha-phellandrene, alpha-pinene, alpha-terpinene, alpha-terpineol, aluminum, anethofuran, anis des Vosges (French), anethole, Apiaceae (family), Apium carvi, arabinose, arginine, ash, aspartic acid, astragalin, beta-carotene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-myrcene, beta-phellandrene, beta-pinene, beta-sitosterol, cadinene, caffeic acid, calcium, calcium oxalate, campesterol, camphene, capric acid, caraway fruit, caraway oil, caraway seed, carbohydrates, carum, Carum carui, Carum carvi, carvacrol, carvene, carveol, carvi (French, Italian), Carvi fructus, carvol, carvone, (-)-carvone, (+)-carvone, carvone glucosides, chaman (Armenian), chlorine, chromium, cis-beta-ocimene, cis-dihydrocarvone, citronellol, cobalt, cominho (Portuguese), comino (Italian), comino de prado (Spanish), comino tedesco (Italian), copper, cravya tarbutit (Hebrew), cumin de montagne (French), cumin des pr?s (French), cumino (Italian), cumino dei prati (Italian), cumino tedesco (Italian), cystine, d-carvone, decan-1-al, decanal, delta-3-carene, diacetyl, dihydrocarveol, dihydrocarvone, D-limonene, dikii anis (Ukrainian), donsk kumman (Faroese), (e)-beta-ocimene, echter K?mmel (German), eicosanoic acid, Enteroplant?, essential oil, estragol, falcarindiol, falcarinone, fat, faux anis (French), faux cumin (French - Morocco), Feldk?mmel (German), fiber, fixed oil, fucose, frenk kimyonu (Turkish), furfural, furocoumarins (5-methoxypsoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen), galactose, gamma-terpinene, geranial, germacrene D, geranyl diphosphate, gemeiner K?mmel (German), glucose, glucosides, glutamic acid, glycine, hakiki kimyon (Turkish), harilik k??men (Estonian), harissa, herniarin, hime uikyou (Japanese), hinojo de prade (Spanish), histidine, hyperoside, Iberogast?, IG, iron, isorhammetin glycosides, isoleucine, isoquercitrin, jintan (Malay), junipediol A 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, kaalaa jiiraa (Hindi), kaempferol 3-glucoside, kaerowei (Korean), karaman kimyonu (Turkish), karauy (Arabic), karavi (Sanskrit), karawy (Arabic - Egypt), karo (Greek), karoya (Persian), karve (Danish), karven (Swedish), karvi (Greek, Norwegian), karving (Norwegian), karwei (Afrikaans), karwij (Dutch), karwijzaad (Dutch), kim (Bulgarian, Croatian, Serbian), kimel (Hebrew), kimmel (Hebrew), kmin (Ukrainian), km?n korenn? (Czech), kminek (Polish), kminek zwyczajny (Polish), kmyn zvichainii (Ukrainian), k?m?ny (Hungarian), kommel (Swedish), kommen (Danish, Swedish), k?mming (Norwegian), konyha (Hungarian), kravyah (cravya) (Hebrew), kravyah tarbutit (Hebrew), krydd (Norwegian), k?men (Icelandic), kumin (Swedish), kumina (Finnish), kummil (Swedish), kummin (Swedish), kumming (Swedish), K?mmel (German), kummel (French), kvliavi (Georgian), kyarauei (Japanese), lauric acid, leucine, L-fucitol, lignin, (-)-limonene, (+)-limonene, limonene, limonene-6-hydroxylase, linalool, linoleic acid, lysine, magnesium, manganese, mannose, methanol, methionine, monoterpene hydrocarbons, monoterpene synthase, monoterpenes, monoterpenoids, monounsaturated fatty acid, myrcene, myristic acid, myristicin, navadna kumina (Slovenian), niacin, nickel, n-octanal, oleic acid, oleoresins, oxygenated monoterpenes, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, p-coumaric acid, p-cymene, Persian cumin, petroselinic acid, perillaldehyde, phenylalanine, phosphorus, phytosterol, polyacetylene, polysaccharides, polyunsaturated fat, potassium, proline, proteins, qimel (Hebrew), quercetin, quercetin 3-glucuronide, resin, rhamnose, riboflavin, Roman cumin, sabinene, salicylate, saturated fatty acid, saksan kumina (Finnish), S-(+)-carvone, scopoletin, seme di carvi (seeds) (Italian), semen cumini pratensis, semences de carvi (French), serine, shah jira (siyah jira) (Hindi), silicon, sodium, starch, stearic acid, stigmasterol, STW 5-II, sugars, sulfur, sushavi (Sanskrit), tabil, tannic acid, tavallinen kumina (Finnish), terpenes, terpinen-4-ol, terpinolene, thiam takap (Thai), thiamine, threonine, thujone, titanium, tmin (Russian), tmin obyknovennyi (Russian), trans-beta-ocimene, (+)-trans-carveol, trans-caryophyllene-oxide, trans-dihydrocarvone, tryptophan, tyrosine, Umbelliferae, umbelliferone, unsaturated fatty acids, valine, vild kommen (Danish), Wiesenk?mmel (German), wild cumin, wilde komijn (Dutch), wilder K?mmel (German), xanthotoxin, xylose, yuan sui (Chinese), zinc, ziya (Burmese).
Note: This monograph does not include information about the following species: Nigella sativa (black seed, black caraway), Carum bulbocastanum (black caraway), Carum copticum (ajowain, ajwain, ajmod; omam, omum), Carum nigrum (black caraway), Carum montanum, Carum capticum, or Carum roxburghianum.

Background

Caraway (Carum carvi), or Persian cumin, is native to northern Africa, Europe, and Asia. A volatile oil from the seeds is distilled for herbal remedies. The oil, seeds, and tea are used for digestive and other gastrointestinal problems. Used around the globe as a culinary spice, caraway is an ingredient in tabil, an Arabic spice mixture, the North African spice paste harissa, and a common flavoring in German cuisine.
Caraway is likely safe when consumed in amounts commonly found in foods. Caraway has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the United States.
Research on caraway supplementation has mainly focused on its use as a treatment for indigestion. However, caraway may also be beneficial for asthma, infant colic, irritable bowel syndrome, and acid reflux, and may have antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori. Caraway is a component of the combination product Iberogast?, which is popularly used for functional gastrointestinal disorders. Some components of caraway seed oil may have anticancer effects.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


There is preliminary evidence from a study using an herbal tea containing eight herbs, including caraway, that allergic asthma reactions may be lessened. The effects of caraway alone, however, are unclear. Further study using caraway monotherapy is needed in this area.

 C


There is preliminary evidence from a study using an herbal tea containing eight herbs, including caraway, that allergic asthma reactions may be lessened. The effects of caraway alone, however, are unclear. Further study using caraway monotherapy is needed in this area.

 C


Caraway is a component of the combination product Iberogast?, which is popularly used for functional gastrointestinal disorders. It is also an ingredient in Enteroplant?, which also contains peppermint oil. However, the effects of caraway alone are unclear.

 C


Caraway is a component of the combination product Iberogast?, which is popularly used for functional gastrointestinal disorders. It is also an ingredient in Enteroplant?, which also contains peppermint oil. However, the effects of caraway alone are unclear.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for caraway. Based on historical use, 1-6 grams of dried caraway fruit has been taken by mouth daily. Ripe caraway fruit has been taken by mouth directly after crushing. A tea may be prepared using 1-2 teaspoons of pressed seeds in 150 milliliters of boiling water; cover and allow to stand for 10-15 minutes, and drink 2-4 cups daily between meals. Other traditional uses taken by mouth include 50-100 milligrams of caraway oil daily in combination with peppermint oil, and 1-4 drops of caraway oil on a lump of sugar or in a teaspoonful of water. Traditionally, 10% caraway oil, in a carrier oil (such as olive oil), has been applied to the skin 2-3 times daily.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Caraway may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar levels. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by their qualified healthcare professionals, including pharmacists. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Caraway may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, CNS depressants, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Caraway may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased or decreased in the blood and may cause increased or decreased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. Patients using any medications should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Caraway may interact or have additive effects with antibiotics, anticancer agents, antifungals, antiseizure agents, antispasmodic agents, antituberculosis agents, antiulcer agents, calcium salts, cholesterol- and lipid-lowering agents, diuretics, drugs that are affected by calcium levels (such as levothyroxine), iron salts, lithium, and magnesium supplements.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Madisch A, Heydenreich CJ, Wieland V, et al. Treatment of functional dyspepsia with a fixed peppermint oil and caraway oil combination preparation as compared to cisapride. A multicenter, reference-controlled double-blind equivalence study. Arzneimittelforschung 1999;49(11):925-932.
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