Dioscorides, in his Materia Medica of the 1st century, recommended an extract of the fruit as a tonic for ‘pale faced girl’.
Caraway is much respected antispasmodic. It seeds are useful in strengthening the functions of stomach. They relieve flatulence and are useful in flatulent colic, countering any possible adverse effects of medicines.
It aids in the digestion of starches, it is often added to laxative teas to reduce gripe. It can be made into tea to relieve respiratory congestion.
They are often eaten with heavy, fatty foods. Chewed before meals caraway helps digestion and stimulate the appetite.
Modern researchers have discovered that two chemicals in caraway seeds, carvol and carvene, soothe the smooth muscle tissue of the digestive tract and help expel gas.
Topically, caraway works as a rubefacient and anesthetic. The seeds, together with the leaves can be used as a poultice to treat bruises.
Caraway is being tested as heart and pulse regulator and as a treatment for severe menstrual pain. Caraway is a stronger carminative than either anise or fennel.
Caraway seeds should be crushed immediately prior to use to prevent unnecessary loss of the highly volatile essential oil.
Caraway seeds in herb medicine
