Caraway

Carum carvi is biennial plant belongs to Apiceae or Umbliferrae family. Appearance of Plant is similar to carrot plant with finely divided feathery leaves with thread like divisions, growing on 20-30 cm stem. The main flower stem is 40-60 cm long having small white or pink flowers in umbels. In India fruits consists of three different species- C. carvi (large and laterally compressed fruits), C. gracile (smaller and dorsally sub compressed fruits) and C. bulbocastanum (smaller and darker fruits).

Caraway fruits are (also called seeds) crescent shaped achenes, around 2mm long, with five pale ridges. Its root is considered as tap root and grows in a slender form about 8-9 inches ling. It is yellow in color and when cooked it turns into rich creamy white color.

Classification

Habitat

This plant grows in north Himalayan regions. It is cultivated in plains during cold season and in hills like Kashmir, Chamba, Garhwal as summer crop at 3000-4000 meters attitude.

Vernacular Names

Ayurvedic Properties

Effects on Doshas

It is Kaphavatahara that helps to pacifying the vitiated kapha and Vatadoshas and increases pitta doshas in body.

Practical Uses of Carum carvi

• Vomiting – It is very useful remedy for treating liver and stomach problems.
• It is used as uterine disinfectant.
• It is useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) and indigestion.
• It is very effective in the treatment of jaundice.
• It acts as appetizer stimulant.
• It has anti-inflammatory properties as it increases the secretion of histamine.
• It is also helpful in dysentery, diarrhea, bloating or gas.
• It has anti-carcinogenic action on breast because it contains sitosterol.
• It effectively treats the dysmenorrhea and irregular menstrual cycle by clearing the kapha from uterus.
• It is used as galactagogue that increases the milk secretion during lactation.
• It has calming effect on brain and nervous disorders. It enhances the brain power and concentration.
• It is good for eyes and helpful in headaches due to kapha dosha.
• It is useful in the treatment of gingivitis. Gingivitis is inflammation or swelling or redness of gums.
• It is used in the treatment of chronic stages of fever.
• It is used in disorders caused by disturbance of agni like anorexia, emesis, loss of appetite, flatulence, abdomen pain, haemorrhoids.
• It is also used as expectorant that promotes the secretion of sputum by the air passages and used to treat cough.
• It has property that stimulates the menstrual flow.

Parts Used

Fruit, Seeds

Dosage

1/2- 2 gm