The essential oil of carrot seed is derived from the dried seeds of the carrot, extracted through a process of steam distillation. The oil has a golden-yellowish hue and has a very earthy, musky, woody and warm aroma.

Carrot seed essential oil is probably one of the lesser well-known essential oils out there in the market, unlikely to be seen in the top 10 essential oils list that you can so often find in the net as it is often overshadowed by more popular essential oils such as lavender, rosemary and jasmine essential oils. However, this does not mean that it does not contain high medicinal and therapeutic benefits!

In fact, carrot seed essential oil, can be used in a variety of ways to address a myriad of health ailments as it contains much natural healing properties that have been used ever since by the Greeks and the Indians. Read on to find out more!

Health Properties of Carrot Seed Essential Oil:

1. Antiseptic and Antibacterial

Carrot seed essential oil is an effective antimicrobial and antifungal agent, with the ability to inhibit the growth and spread of various bacterial as well as fungal strains on external wounds, cuts, scrapes and fungal infections. As such, these antiseptic qualities enable external wounds and various skin fungal infections to heal quickly and speedily, without the onset of infections or complications.

For example, a 2004 research study carried out by researchers from the Institute of Chemistry at University of Opole in Poland found that carrot seed oil exhibited strong antifungal activity, due to the presence of carotol, the main constituent of carrot seed oil. In fact, the oil inhibited the growth of fungi by 65%!

How to Use it: Dilute carrot seed essential oil with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil in a 1:1 ratio and proceed to apply it onto the affected areas until it fully heals.

2. Detoxifier and Depurative

Carrot seed essential oil is also a very good detoxification and purification agent as it has a strong ability to detoxify and purify the blood, tissues, liver and kidneys. It is able to promote the elimination of toxic and harmful substances from the body and prevent the onset of diseases and infections if these substances are not removed efficiently.

It also contains diuretic properties which means that it induces increased frequency and quantity of urination. While this might be a chore and a tad bit uncomfortable, it is no doubt good for the health of your body because it facilitates the removal of urea, uric acid, excess fats, salts, water and other toxic substances that might linger around within your body. It can also help to lower blood pressure levels.

As such, this oil augments the liver and kidneys as it prevents the buildup and accumulation of such toxic substances in these vital organs, thus preventing liver damage and kidney diseases. A 2012 research study that was subsequently published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine found that the extracts of carrot seed have exhibited strong antioxidant and liver protection potential as it reduces oxidative stress in the rats that were tested.

How to Use it: You can diffuse around 3-4 drops of the oil in a diffuser or vaporizer and breathe in the aromatic wafts to stimulate detoxification. Alternatively, you can also massage diluted carrot seed oil onto your abdominal area.

3. Antioxidant

As mentioned earlier, carrot seed essential oil also contains rich antioxidant properties which means it can help to combat and repair the damages done by free radicals on your body. This essentially helps to prevent signs of degeneration in your muscles, digestive system and other vital organs.

Furthermore, this property also makes it great for your skin as it ensures that you always maintain that youthful and healthy glow as it prevents the onset of premature ageing. Carrot seed oil can help to combat the formation of wrinkles, thus making your skin tighter and producing that ever radiant glow! It can also help to prevent your hair from turning white too soon, prevents the stiffening of joints and supports a healthy eye vision.

How to Use it: You can diffuse 3-4 drops of the oil into a diffuser or vaporizer and proceed to inhale gently and slowly to reap the antioxidant effects. Alternatively, you can also add around 4-5 drops of the oil into a tub of warm, bathing water and soak in the magic inside!

To promote a much youthful skin, you can add a drop or two of carrot seed oil to your daily skincare products or massage the carrot seed oil that has been diluted with a carrier oil beforehand topically onto the face in circular motions.

4. Promotes Digestive Health

Carrot seed oil also has carminative properties which helps to get rid of any excess gas and prevents the formation of further gas in your stomach. Coupled with its antimicrobial and depurative properties, it helps to cleanse and purify your digestive organs, ridding them of bacterial strains and viruses which can cause stomach problems. Carrot seed oil can thus helps to prevent and cure indigestion, acid reflux, diarrhea and a whole host of other digestion-related problems.

In addition, since the oil is also a tonic, it stimulates the proper secretion and flow of digestive enzymes and bile into your digestive organs which helps to promote proper digestion and breakdown of the food so that the nutrients can be readily absorbed into the bloodstream. Thus, it ensures the proper maintenance of the digestive system too!

Additionally, a 2005 study that was subsequently published in The Journal of Food Chemistry found that cold-pressed carrot seed oils can serve as dietary sources of natural antioxidants to promote health and prevent diseases. Notably, they inhibit the growth of the bacterial strain H. pylori that can cause stomach ulcers and other problems.

How to Use it: Dilute carrot seed essential oil with a carrier oil and gently rub it on your lower abdominal area to rid yourself of stomach problems and to inhibit bacterial growth.

5. Pain Relief from Menstruation

Carrot seed essential oil also has emmenagogue properties, which means it stimulates the regular and proper flow of menstrual cycles, thus ensuring continued and unobstructed blood flow out of the uterus. Carrot seed oil can also help to relieve some of the pains associated with menstruation, such as menstrual cramps, fatigue and nausea.

As such, this ensures the proper maintenance of the uterine health as unobstructed blood flow reduces the risks of formation of cysts, tumors, fibroids and other complications that comes when your blood flow is irregular.

How to Use it: Simply dilute carrot seed oil with a carrier oil in a 1:1 ratio and gently massage it onto your lower abdominal area for quick pain relief.

Safety Precautions:

• Always dilute carrot seed essential oil with a carrier oil (such as coconut, jojoba or almond oil) before topical application onto the affected areas of your skin. Also, perform a skin patch test first to ensure no sensitive or allergic reactions crop up.

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is better to avoid carrot seed oil because it might cause bleeding in pregnant women.

• To reap the benefits of carrot seed oil internally, you can consider adding a drop of the oil into a glass of water but do seek the advice of a professional health expert before taking the oil internally.

• Always purchase top-quality, high-grade, 100% pure carrot seed essential oil from a reliable and reputable seller, especially if you intend on ingesting it.

References:

Jasicka-Misiak I, et al., “Antifungal activity of the carrot seed oil and its major sesquiterpene compounds”, Journal of Biosciences (2004); 59(11-12)

Kamlesh Singh, et al., “In vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extracts of Daucus carota seeds in experimental animals”, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine (2012); 2(5)

Liangli Lucy Yu, Kequan Kevin Zhou, John Parry, “Antioxidant properties of cold-pressed black caraway, carrot, cranberry, and hemp seed oils”, Food Chemistry (2005); 91(4)