Caraway: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
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Scientific name(s)
Carum carvi
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Carvone
Carveol
Limonene
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Flatulence, Digestive disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Caraway is frequently used in combination with peppermint to alleviate dyspepsia symptoms. Clinical studies and a meta-analysis show that consuming a combination of 50 mg caraway oil and 90 mg peppermint oil, administered 1 to 3 times daily for 4 weeks, improves quality of life and reduces symptoms such as fullness sensation, pain, and mild gastrointestinal spasms. This combination would be as effective as cisapride in relieving dyspepsia and improving postprandial distress syndrome and epigastric pain syndrome. Another combination including caraway, peppermint, German chamomile, and other plants, taken 1 mL three times daily for 4 weeks, showed a significant reduction in symptoms such as acid reflux, epigastric pain, cramps, nausea, and vomiting. These results suggest caraway, used with other herbs, could be beneficial for treating dyspepsia.
Posologie
Oral: seed
50 mg
4 - weeks
infusion, Carmenthin®, dry extract
Synergies
A randomized placebo-controlled trial on the effects of Menthacarin, a proprietary peppermint- and caraway-oil-preparation, on symptoms and quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia
A Novel, Duodenal-Release Formulation of a Combination of Caraway Oil and L-Menthol for the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Menthacarin, a Proprietary Peppermint Oil and Caraway Oil Combination, Improves Multiple Complaints in Patients with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
A Combination of Peppermint Oil and Caraway Oil for the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Digestive Spasms ✪✪✪✪✪
According to ESCOP, caraway is recommended for spasmodic gastrointestinal disorders such as flatulence and bloating.
Posologie
Oral: seed
1.5 - 6 g
infusion, Carmenthin®, dry extract
Infant Colics ✪✪✪✪✪
According to ESCOP, caraway is recommended for gaseous colic in infants.
Posologie
Oral: seed
1 - 4 g
powder, infusion
Lactation ✪✪✪✪✪
Traditionally used as a galactagogue to stimulate lactation, caraway shows no strong clinical evidence supporting this use. Studies note the presence of components like carvone in breast milk after consumption, but without demonstrating a significant effect on milk production. Some research suggests a possible increased acceptance of flavors by breastfed infants exposed to these dietary components.
Posologie
Oral: seed
1.5 - 6 g
powder, infusion
Properties
Digestive effect
Caraway essential oil locally stimulates the gastric mucosa, which activates the vagus nerve, leading to increased tone and rhythmic contractions of the stomach. This action promotes the expulsion of air from the stomach and increases gastric secretion, providing beneficial effects in managing digestive disorders like flatulence and bloating. Additionally, caraway may also positively influence bile flow, enhancing its role in facilitating digestion.
Usages associés
Antimicrobial
Research on cell cultures shows that caraway extracts and oil have antibacterial activity against numerous organisms, including Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Caraway essential oil is more active against gram-positive bacteria than gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, the oil showed significant antifungal and anti-Candida effects, maintaining its efficacy after gamma irradiation, indicating stability of the active components. These properties suggest potential use of caraway in antimicrobial applications, benefiting from a positive correlation between the limonene content of the oil and its antibacterial activity.
Antispasmodic
A study explored the effects of Carum carvi (caraway) extract on guinea pig intestinal smooth muscle cells. The main mechanism of action observed is the reduction of muscle cell response to acetylcholine (Ach), a neurotransmitter that induces muscle contraction. Caraway extract showed a relaxing effect on smooth muscle cells, demonstrating dose-dependent inhibition of Ach-induced contraction. At the highest concentration tested (2.5 mg/mL), the extract significantly inhibited cell contractile response to Ach, which could partially explain caraway's effectiveness in relieving gastrointestinal symptoms like dyspepsia. Active components such as carvone and limonene may play a role in these antispasmodic effects by modulating enzyme activity or influencing the release of certain chemicals like prostaglandins, known for their effects on gastrointestinal motility and pain modulation.
Usages associés
Galactagogue
Caraway is traditionally used as a galactagogue to stimulate breast milk production. Its components, particularly carvone, might promote lactogenic activity by increasing prolactin, a hormone essential for lactation. However, there is no strong clinical evidence supporting this use.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adults from 10 years: 1.5 g - 6 g (seeds)
- Infusion: crushed caraway fruits (1.5 to 6 g), covered with 150 ml of boiling water and left to stand for 10-15 minutes. - Oil: 50 to 150 mg.
Children 4 to 10 years: 1 g - 4 g (seeds)
- Infusion: crushed caraway fruits (1 to 4 g), covered with 150 ml of boiling water and left to stand for 10-15 minutes.
Children 1 to 4 years: 1 g - 2 g (seeds)
- Infusion: crushed caraway fruits (1 to 2 g), covered with 150 ml of boiling water and left to stand for 10-15 minutes.
Infants up to 12 months: 1 g (seeds)
- Infusion: crushed caraway fruits (up to 1 g), covered with 150 ml of boiling water and left to stand for 10-15 minutes.
Precautions
Breastfeeding women: use with caution
Caraway is used to support lactation in the form of herbal tea. However, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before using caraway oil.
Contraindications
Pregnant women: prohibited
Caraway oil may stimulate menstruation.
