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Carum, Caraway

Zeera Siyah (Unani)
Krishnajeeraka (Ayurveda)
Go snyod  གོ་སྙོད  (Tibetan)
Ortus sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

Atlas der officinellen pflanzen (2), Felix, 1899
Botanical name:
Carum carvi

Parts used:
Seed

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent
"Hot and dry in the second degree" (Avicenna)

Classification:
2C INCIDERS.   2H. CARMINATIVE
3C. ALEXIPHARMIC.    3F. LITHONTRIPTIC.   
4e. STOMACHIC

Uses:
1. Warms the Stomach, clears Wind and Cold:
-benefits the Stomach, Bowels and digestion;
-good for Wind, Colic, Hernia
-'Its chief property is to strengthen the internal organs of the human body.' (Avicenna)
-"taken orally, it stops vomiting attributed to indigestion" (Avicenna)

2. Warms the Kidneys, promotes Urine and Menstruation:
-obstructed or painful urination;
-pain of the lower back and Bladder
-Arthritic pain
-Menstrual cramps; promote Labor (essential oil is very effective)

3. Settles Wind, Eases Pain:
-Headaches and Migraine; Salmon said they ‘are of Great use in the Megrim [migraine], continual headache’
-Dizziness, Paralysis
-"It is incorporated as an ingredient in ophthalmic drugs" (Avicenna)
-'Sharpens the Sight'. (Gerard, Culpeper)

4. Clears Cold Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Bronchitis, bronchial Asthma

5. Increases Milk

6. Kills Worms:
-"Oral use of fruits or seeds elicits anthelmintic and diuretic actions" (Avicenna)

7. Externally;
-gargle for acute sore throat
-poultice to bruises, sprains
-poultice or paste to Boils
-in Enemas etc.
-the essential oil is effective against Tinea, Scabies etc.


Dose:
Powder: 1–3 grams
Decoction: 2–6 grams
Of the Essential Oil: 3–10 drops

Substitutes:
1. Lemon Grass and Syrian Rue were recommended substitutes (Avicenna)
2. "Its potency is almost similar to that of Anise". (Avicenna)
3. Various sources have been given for Go snyod used in Tibetan Medicine including Cumin, Fennel seed and Aniseed.

Main Combinations:
1. Headache and Migraine: Caraway with Celery seed, Nutmeg, Swertia and Aloe (as in Pills of Mujarrab of Unani)
2. Wind, Colic:
i. Caraway with Camomile, Mint, Valerian (Carminative Powder)
ii. Caraway with Peppermint, Fennel seed and Camomile. This is known as 'Four Winds Tea' in Germany.
iii. Caraway with Aniseed, Carrot seed, Fennel seed, Cumin, Caraway Camomile Raisin (as in Carminative Decoction)
3. Intestinal cramping and pain: Caraway with Camomile, Oregano, Parsley seed, Aniseed, Fennel seed, Peppermint, Sage, Juniper, Blessed Thistle
4. Anal prolapse: Caraway with Fennel and Aniseed as a tea throughout the day, raising the pelvis, and apply cups to the umbilicus.

Major Formulas:
Decoction of Parsley Compound
Decoction for Diabetes from Heat (Wirtzung)
Aromatic Bitter Decoction
Carminative Decoction
Tincture Against Asthma
Powder of Galangal Compound (Diagalanga) (Mesue)
Powder of Anise Compound (Mesue)
Powder Against Forgetfulness
Powder to Strengthen the Stomach of Andernacus
Species Incisa (Augustine Pharmacopoeia)
The Queen of Colen’s Electuary
Electuary for a Duke (Electuarium Ducis) (Nicholas)
Electuary for the Eyes (Grulingus)

1. Carminative Powder:
i. Aniseed, Carrot seed, Cumin, Caraway, Fennel seed (2 oz. each), Licorice, Camomile (6 drams each), Riaisins (6 oz.) (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)
ii. Aniseed, Caraway seed (1 oz.), Camomile (4 oz.), Peppermint, Balm, Sage (2 oz. each). (Dispensatorium Pharmaceuticum, 1777)
iii. Caraway seed (3 oz.), Camomile (half pound), Peppermint, Valerian (2 oz. each) (Dispensarium electorale Hassiacum, 1806)
iv. Valerian, Peppermint (2 oz. each), Camomile, Elder leaf (3 oz. each), Caraway seed, Dill seed (1 oz. each). (Pharmacia rationalis, 1806)

Cautions:
Generally safe.
"Its excessive use ... weakens the eye-sight." (Avicenna)
"it 'stops' the formation of semen" (Avicenna)

Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water, Essential Oil, Spirit