5 Top Medicinal Properties of Caraway Essential Oil

Caraway is a type of plant that belongs to the Umbelliferae family and is commonly found in Europe and Asia. Also, it has been in use and in existence since 8000 years ago! Even the Ancient Egyptians used caraway for religious rituals and in cooking foods. The caraway essential oil, derived from the caraway seeds, is colourless and it has a musky and fruity scent to it.

Caraway essential oils are very much overlooked and underrated but it has so much medicinal and health benefits as it contains varied properties that promotes the wellbeing of your body! Let us explore some of these health benefits and qualities below.

1. To aid in cough relief

Caraway essential oil has anti-histaminic properties. This means that it can ward off persistent and painful coughs that can be very disconcerting and uncomfortable. So the next time you have a coughing spell due to allergies or illness, fret not because caraway essential oil can help you ease the pain, without any side effects since it is an all natural remedy.

Caraway essential oil can neutralize the effects of histamine and manage such ailments. Furthermore, with its antibacterial functions, it fights off the harmful bacteria in your respiratory tract, thus preventing the spread of infections and the formation of phlegms as well as mucus.

How to Use It: Blended with a carrier oil, caraway essential oil can be gently massaged to your chest, back or throat to provide relief to painful coughing fits and to loosen up any mucus or phlegm that is lodged within your respiratory tract. As such, caraway essential oil can help mitigate bronchitis and laryngitis. Alternatively, this expectorant can be inhaled directly in small doses to give relief from congestion and blocked respiratory tracts arising from cough and colds. It can also be taken with honey or warm water.

2. As a disinfectant

As a disinfectant that has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, caraway essential oil can cure all sorts of infections within the colon, digestive, urinary and excretory systems. It can also treat infections and wounds present on the body too because it effectively kills off any bacteria from forming and spreading.

Caraway essential oil serves to cleanse and heal wounds, hence preventing tetanus or further inflammation of external wounds. The carvone and limonene compounds in caraway essential oil can also help in regeneration of connective tissues, while preventing signs of ageing as it prevents the formation of wrinkles and the sagging of skin too!

How To Use It: Mix 5 drops of caraway essential oil with 2.5ml of a carrier oil, such as almond oil or grape seed oil to create a gentle massage blend that can be applied topically onto the problematic areas of your skin.

3. To detoxify your body

Caraway essential oil has diuretic properties, which is a blessing in disguise for those who have trouble urinating or excreting out toxic substances from the body. It increases the frequency of urination, which effectively removes out all these unwanted substances easily, hence preventing any forms of infection and bacteria from building up within the body.

In fact, a 2007 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that the frequency and quantity of urine in rats increased within 24 hours when caraway essential oil was used on rats. Also, Ayurvedic texts strongly advocate caraway seed oil to be a good agent in helping and protecting the liver to discharge these harmful substances from the body.

How To Use It: You can add about 2 to 3 drops of caraway oil in warm bathing water. Alternatively, you can also create a massage blend by adding 10 drops of caraway essential oil with 5ml of carrier oil (such as olive oil) and apply it to your abdominal area to help in the excretion of uric acid, fats, excess fluids and salts.

4. To aid in digestion

Caraway essential oil, with its carminative, digestive and stomachic properties will be able to solve indigestion problems and even improves digestion. The natural stimulants found in caraway essential oil helps to stimulate the secretion of various digestive enzymes and gastric juices. As such, it is able to promote full absorption of the nutrients of consumed foods.

Moreover, its natural stimulants will be able to regulate digestion flows and prevent constipation as well as irregular bowel movements. Its stomachic quality ensures that the stomach always remains healthy as it wards off infections and ulcers.

In fact, a study published in Pharmacognosy Review in 2011 found that caraway is able to combat harmful bacteria such as helicobacter pylori which is one of the main causes of various intestinal diseases.

How To Use It: You can actually inhale Caraway oil directly by adding 2 drops into a distiller or diffuser. Alternatively, you can massage the oil onto your abdominal area. However, before massaging it directly onto your abdomen, be sure to blend it with a carrier oil (5 drops of Caraway oil can be blended with 2.5ml of sesame oil for example) and this can serve as an effective remedy for any stomach-related and digestion-related problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion and stomach ulcers.

5. To mitigate menstrual discomforts and induce lactation

Menstrual cramps can be such an unbearable ordeal sometimes for some women. However, caraway essential oil is actually able to provide some pain relief for menstrual cramps as it contains emenagogue which offers pain relief from the constant contraction of the uterus walls. Furthermore, it can help to prevent menstrual obstruction or menstrual delays by regulating the blood flow in the uterus.

Moreover, caraway oil contains galactogogue properties which is known to stimulate and increase milk production for mothers. This actually improves the quality and the quantity of breast milk and it is beneficial not just for the mother but for the baby itself. This is because the baby too will not suffer from flatulence, indigestion or any other stomach problems due to caraway essential oil’s properties. However, it is advisable to check with your doctor first before using this essential oil.

How To Use It: Simply blend 5 drops of caraway oil with 2.5ml of almond oil and proceed to massage onto your lower abdomen, breasts and thighs area.

Other health benefits of caraway essential oil include relief from spasms and muscle cramps as it contains antispasmodic elements. Furthermore, its carminative properties will clear excess gas and provide relief to gas troubles. Also, it acts as a tonic as it instills tranquility, soothes the mind and provides mental clarity, thus making it a perfect aromatherapy when you add two drops of it into a vaporizer or a diffuser.

Caraway essential oil can also treat rheumatism, toothaches, inflammations and eye infections, but be sure to consult with your doctor first before using it as a form of treatment. Additionally, remember to dilute caraway essential oil first with a carrier blend and do a skin patch test before applying it topically to the desired area. Otherwise, with the numerous health benefits mentioned above, caraway essential oil is no doubt a worthwhile investment to make!

References:

Lahlou S, et al., "Diuretic activity of the aqueous extracts of Carum carvi and Tanacetum vulgare in normal rats", Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2007); 110(3)

R. K. Johri, "Cuminum cyminum and Carum carvi: An update", Pharmacognosy Review (2011); 5(9)