Apiaceae
Caraway
Carum carvi
✓ Generally Safe
Safe in Pregnancy
Native to: Europe, Western Asia, North Africa
Also known as: Persian Cumin, Meridian Fennel, Wild Cumin
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Seed
Therapeutic Uses
Flatulence, bloating, IBS, infantile colic, dyspepsia, insufficient breast milk, bronchitis. One of the most effective and safe carminatives — widely used in pediatrics.
Herbal Actions
Carminative, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, galactagogue, expectorant
Active Constituents
Volatile oil (D-carvone 50–60%, limonene 30–40%), flavonoids, fatty acids
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture⚗️ Essential Oil
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 1 tsp crushed seeds per 250ml, steep 10 min covered, 3x daily after meals |
| Tincture | 1–3 ml (1:5, 40% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Crush seeds before use. For infantile colic: weak caraway tea (1 tsp) in bottle 3x daily — traditional and effective. Chewing seeds after meals — simple digestive aid. Combines well with peppermint for IBS. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Safe in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Very few contraindications. Essential oil not for infants internally. Avoid with known allergy to carrot family.
Side Effects: Extremely rare — one of safest herbs. Allergic reactions possible (Apiaceae family). GI effects at very high doses.