Apiaceae
Queen Anne’s Lace
Daucus carota
⚠ Use with Caution
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: Europe, Southwest Asia, North Africa
Also known as: Wild Carrot, Bird's Nest, Bishop's Lace, Bee's Nest
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
SeedRootLeaf
Therapeutic Uses
Urinary tract disorders, kidney stones prevention, digestive complaints, delayed menstruation (seed). Seed investigated as 'day-after' contraceptive in clinical studies.
Herbal Actions
Diuretic, carminative, antilithic, emmenagogue (seed), aphrodisiac (traditional), antifertility (seed — investigated)
Active Constituents
Furanocoumarins (bergapten, isopimpinellin), flavonoids (luteolin, chrysoeriol), volatile oil (carotol, beta-bisabolene), pectin, carotenes
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture☕ Herbal Tea💊 Capsule
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2 tsp dried herb per 250ml, steep 10 min, 3x daily |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 40% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | IMPORTANT: Do NOT confuse with poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) or water hemlock (Cicuta) — similar appearance, deadly toxic. Positive identification essential. Wild harvest only by experts. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
⚠ Use with Caution
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Avoid in pregnancy (seed strongly emmenagogue/antifertility). Photosensitivity (furanocoumarins). Expert identification essential to avoid toxic lookalikes.
Side Effects: Photosensitivity. Dermatitis. Confusion with hemlock species (fatal). Furanocoumarins: drug interactions.