Herb library

Caraway

Carum carvi

Caraway seeds are warming, aromatic kitchen herbs long kept on the shelf for digestion and comforting household remedies. They are used as a tea or infusion and in simple syrups, compresses, and steam inhalations for everyday niggles.

Traditionally used for.

• •Traditionally used to ease ordinary digestive discomfort after a heavy meal, especially feelings of bloating and gas.
• •Traditionally used as a gentle carminative for infants and children as a warming, soothing remedy when given as a mild tea (cooled) or added to a feeding, with caution for infants under one year regarding honey.
• •Traditionally used as a mild expectorant and chest soother in steam inhalations or warm compresses for coughs and congestion.
• •A long-standing household use is adding caraway to syrups or honeys to flavor and support a calming tea for stomach upsets and mild colic.

Simple preparations.

• •Caraway tea: crush 1 teaspoon of seeds, steep in 1 cup just-off-boil water for 10 minutes, strain. Drink warm, up to three times daily after meals.
• •Caraway syrup or medicated honey: gently simmer 1/4 cup crushed seeds in 1 cup water for 10 minutes, strain and stir into 1 cup warm honey or 1 cup sugar simmered to a syrup. Use 1 teaspoon as needed in tea or on the tongue (do not give honey to children under one year).
• •Steam inhalation or compress: pour 2 cups boiling water over 1 tablespoon crushed caraway seeds, cover and let steep 5 minutes. For steam, hold face at a safe distance and inhale the vapors for up to 10 minutes. For a compress, soak a cloth, wring, fold and apply to the chest for up to 15 minutes.

Cautions.

• !May cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to plants in the carrot family, watch for rash or breathing difficulty.
• !Large amounts may cause heartburn or upset stomach in some individuals, start with small doses to test tolerance.
• !Contains volatile oils that can irritate mucous membranes if used too hot or too concentrated, let preparations cool to a comfortable temperature before using.
• !If you are pregnant, nursing, taking prescription medications, or have a chronic medical condition, check with your doctor before regular use.

Often kept beside.