Caraway | Carum carvi

Caraway is a culinary and medicinal seed valued for easing digestive discomfort, calming spasms, and supporting overall gastrointestinal health. It has been traditionally used for colic, bloating, and respiratory support.

Caraway seeds (Carum carvi) with delicate umbels of white flowers, a traditional herb used for digestion, bloating, and respiratory support.

Benefits & Uses

  • Digestive Health: Relieves gas, bloating, cramps, and indigestion.

  • Colic Relief: Traditionally used for infants and children with colic.

  • Antispasmodic: Helps reduce smooth muscle spasms throughout the body.

  • Respiratory Support: Acts as an expectorant, easing coughs and congestion.

  • Topical Use: Crushed seeds applied as poultice for bruises.

  • Galactagogue: Used to promote milk production in nursing mothers.

Form & Dosage

  • Tea/Infusion: 1 tsp crushed seeds steeped in hot water, up to 2–3 times daily.

  • Capsules/Powder: Standardized supplements available.

  • Culinary Use: Seeds commonly used in soups, breads, salads, and spice blends.

  • Poultice: Crushed seeds mixed with vinegar for topical application.

Parts Used

Seeds

Precautions

  • Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Culinary use is safe; medicinal doses should be used cautiously.

  • Children: Traditionally used for infant colic, but dosage should be supervised.

  • Overuse: Excess intake may cause nausea or liver irritation.

  • Allergy: Avoid if allergic to other Apiaceae family plants (e.g., fennel, dill, celery).

For more detailed information about the different ways to take herbs, consider taking a course at the HomeGrown Herbalist Online School of Botanical Medicine.

 

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