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
-“all cold griefs of the Stomach and Bowels”
-“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)
-“all pains in the Reins and Ureters”. (Salmon)
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)
-“healeth Men that hath the Frenzy”. (Macer’s Herbal, 1535)
4. Clears Cold Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Bronchitis, bronchial Asthma
5. Increases Milk
6. Kills Worms, Resists Poison:
-“Oral use of fruits or seeds elicits anthelmintic and diuretic actions” (Avicenna)
-“Bitings of Venomous Beasts”.
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
Long Infusion or Decoction: 2–6 grams
Tincture (1:5 45% alcohol): ½–4 mls, 2–3 times daily
Fluid Extract (1:1 in 45% alcohol): 5–30 drops
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)
Asafetida 8 (Shing kun brgyad pa) (Tibetan)
Caraway 8 (Go snyod brgyad pa) (Tibetan)
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.
1. “Its excessive use … weakens the eye-sight.” (Avicenna)
2. “it stops the formation of semen” (Avicenna)
3. Large quantities (3 oz.) have been associated with narcotic effects
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water, Confection, Essential Oil, Tincture, Spirit
1. Tincture of Caraway:
Caraway bruised 4 oz.
Spirit of Wine 16 oz.
Digest, Express and Filter according to Art. (Can be extracted with Tincture of the Salt of Tartar, which is better)
Used for Wind, griping, colic, and poor digestion. It is also Cephalic, Neurotic, Stomatic, Pectoral and Alexipharmic, and was used for Stones, Gravel and other urinary diseases; also for Fainting and Swooning. Taken in adequate doses at the correct time to promote Menstruation, and open obstructions of the Womb.
It “prevails against the Lethargy, Carus, Apoplexy, Vertigo, Megrim, obstructions of the Lungs and Nerves, Palsies, Convulsions, Cramps &c.”
It is also useful externally for Aches and Pains, Gout, Paralysis, Cramps, Convulsions, Contusions, Weaknesses, Tumors etc.
Dose: 2-6 drams in wine etc. (Pharmacopoeia Bateana)
2. Confection of Caraway
Made the same as Confected Aniseed and other similar seeds.
“Especially does it warm the Stomach, and all inward parts, it opens all obstructions, it forces Urine, it breaks the Stone, it expels sand and gravel, it drives out winds, and it takes away all pain and colic of the belly”. (Wirtzung)
Click the above Tabs for more information on this medicine
-Caraway has been used since the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. It was widely used in the Middle Ages.
-A popular flavour for cakes, bread (especially Rye), Cabbage, Cheese, Liqueur (Kummel), and Spirits (Schnapps). A healthy drink is made from the fermented seeds.
-Julius Caesar was said to have made bread of the roots for his soldiers.
-Caraway seed was prescribed to young pale faced girls to put colour in their cheeks.
-Caraway was once much used to prevent lovers from straying, and was often used in Love potions. The roasted seeds can be added to bread, cookies and cakes etc.
-Given to pigeons in their food helped keep the pigeons from straying also.
-A little of the seed can be sewn into a little bag and put secretly under a childs bed to protect against all sickness and evil.
-Arabs, through constant association with Camels which were deemed dirty animals, used Caraway to cleanse the filthiness from constant contact with them.
-Caraway seed has long been used in magic. It was said to provide retention and protection, and therefore was said to protect thieves from taking anything from a house which contained Caraway. When the seeds are burnt in the house as incense, it was said to protect from theft.
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