Caraway
OTHER NAME(S): Alcaravea, Anis Canadien, Anis des Prés, Anis des Vosges, Apium Carvi, Carraway, Carvi Commun, Carvi Fructus, Cumin des Montagnes, Cumin des Prés, Faux Anis, Haravi, Jeera, Jira, Kala Jira, Karwiya, Krishan Jeeraka, Krishnajiraka, Kummel, Kummich, Roman Cumin, Semen Cumini Pratensis, Semences de Carvi, Shahijra, Shiajira, Wiesen-Feldkummel, Wild Cumin, Carum carvi, Carum velenovskyi, Caraway Oil, Caraway seed, caraway fruit, Carvi
Overview
Caraway (Carum carvi) is a plant that is grown in Asia, Africa, and Europe. The oil, fruit, and seeds are used as medicine.
Caraway oil might improve digestion and relieve spasms in the stomach and intestines.
People use caraway for indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), obesity, constipation, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse caraway with Bishop's weed or black seed. These are not the same.
Uses
Possibly Effective for
- Indigestion (dyspepsia). Taking caraway together with peppermint by mouth seems to improve symptoms of indigestion. It's not clear if taking caraway alone helps.
There is interest in using caraway for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Caraway is commonly consumed in foods. Caraway is possibly safe when used as medicine, short-term. Caraway oil is usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include burping, heartburn, and nausea when used with peppermint oil.
When applied to the skin: Caraway oil is possibly safe when used for up to 3 weeks.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Caraway is commonly consumed in foods. Caraway is possibly safe when used as medicine, short-term. Caraway oil is usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include burping, heartburn, and nausea when used with peppermint oil.
When applied to the skin: Caraway oil is possibly safe when used for up to 3 weeks.
Pregnancy: Caraway is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. Caraway oil has been used to start menstruation, and this might cause a miscarriage. There isn't enough reliable information to know if caraway is safe to apply to the skin during pregnancy. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if caraway is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Too much iron in the body (hemochromatosis): Caraway extract might increase the absorption of iron. Overuse of caraway extract with iron supplements or iron-containing food might increase iron levels in the body. This may be a problem for people who already have too much iron in the body.
Surgery: Caraway might lower blood sugar levels. This might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using caraway at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with CarawayCaraway extract might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking caraway with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with CarawayCaraway fruit extract can decrease potassium levels. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium levels. Taking caraway along with "water pills" might make potassium levels drop too low.
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CarawayCaraway might lower blood sugar levels. Taking caraway along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
- Lithium interacts with CarawayTaking caraway fruit extract might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) substrates) interacts with CarawaySome medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Caraway might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
- Rifampin (Rifadin) interacts with CarawayCaraway seed extract might increase blood levels of rifampin. This might increase the effects and side effects of rifampin.
- Isoniazid interacts with CarawayCaraway seed extract might increase how much isoniazid the body absorbs. This might increase the effects and side effects of isoniazid.
- Pyrazinamide interacts with CarawayCaraway seed extract might increase blood levels of pyrazinamide. This might increase the effects and side effects of pyrazinamide.
Dosing
Caraway oil has most often been used by adults in combination with other ingredients in doses of 50 mg by mouth one to three times daily. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition. There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of caraway might be when it is taken alone.
References
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