Caraway

Caraway contains a volatile oil that produces its characteristic taste and smell. It contains carvole and dlimonene (carvene), which may be active against GI discomfort. Caraway may also have weak antispasmodic activity. It's available as dried fruit and seed, alcohol containing extract, and tincture.

Benefits And Uses of Caraway

Caraway is most commonly used as a spice. It's also used to treat GI upset, nausea, flatulence, bloatmg, menstrual discomfort, and incontinence; to promote lactation; and to stimulate appetite. Caraway oil is used to make liqueurs, such as aquavit, and herbal mouth washes.

Administration

• Dried fruit: 1.5 to 6.0 g/day, by mouth .
• Extract: 3 or 4 gtt in liquid three to four times a day, by mouth .
• Seeds: Chew 1 teaspoon three to four times a day .
• Tea (prepared by adding 1 to 2 tea spoons of freshly crushed fruit to 5 oz of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes): For adults, 1 cup two to four times a day by mouth, between meals; for children, 1 teaspoon .
• Tincture: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon every day, up to three times a day, by mouth.

Side Effects of Caraway

Use of caraway may be associated with contact dermatitis. Herbal products prepared with alcohol may cause a disulfiram-like reaction.

Pregnant and breast-feeding patients should avoid using caraway, even in food, because of its antispasmodic effects.

Clinical considerations

• Many tinctures contain between 15% and 90% alcohol and may be unsuitable for children, alcoholic patients, patients with liver disease, and those taking disul-firam or metronidazole.
• Because the active component of caraway isn't water soluble, extracts and tinctures may be more effective than teas.
• If patient is pregnant, advise her not to use caraway.
• Inform patient not to delay treatment for an illness that doesn't resolve after taking caraway.
• Instruct patient to promptly report adverse reactions or new signs or symptoms.
• Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he's taking when obtaining a new prescription.
• Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

Both caraway seed and caraway oil have been approved by the German Commission E for use in mild dyspeptic conditions, flatulence, and GI fullness. A few German studies have shown clinically significant positive effects of a fixed caraway-peppermint oil preparation on gastroduodenal motility and non-ulcer dyspepsia.