Carvi fructus

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 02.03.2023

Dieser Artikel auf Deutsch

Synonym(s)

Caraway fruits; carum carvi; carvi artheroleum; fructus carvi

Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please login to access all articles, images, and functions.

Our content is available exclusively to medical professionals. If you have already registered, please login. If you haven't, you can register for free (medical professionals only).


Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please complete your registration to access all articles and images.

To gain access, you must complete your registration. You either haven't confirmed your e-mail address or we still need proof that you are a member of the medical profession.

Finish your registration now

DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Caraway fruit - see also caraway.

The quality of the following drugs or drug preparations is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.):

HMPC monograph: Tradtional-use: indigestion, flatulence and bloating
ESCOP monograph: indigestion, flatulence, bloating, gastrointestinal cramps; also used externally in children (rubbing in the lower abdomen).
Commission E monograph: dyspeptic complaints, mild, crampy gastrointestinal complaints, bloating and flatulence.

Furthermore, it is used in the liquor industry as a spice component.

Empirical medicine: nervous heart and stomach complaints, promotion of lactation, externally for umbilical colic.

IngredientsThis section has been translated automatically.

Caraway fruits contain between 3 and 7 % (but at least 3 %) essential oil with 50 to 65 % carvone and other monoterpenes such as limonene (up to 45 %).

EffectsThis section has been translated automatically.

Caraway fruits have spasmolytic, antimicrobial, carminative and appetite-stimulating effects. In addition, they promote gastric juice secretion and blood circulation.

Field of application/useThis section has been translated automatically.

Caraway fruits are used to treat dyspeptic complaints such as flatulence, bloating, gastrointestinal complaints, flatulence-related colic in children, Roemheld syndrome (internal use).

DosageThis section has been translated automatically.

The daily dose of the drug is between 1.5 and 6 g or 3 to 6 drops of caraway essential oil. The freshly crushed drug is used as infusions and other galenic preparations for ingestion. Whole fruits are also available to chew. In addition, 10% of the essential oil can also be applied to the abdominal skin (especially for babies and small children) and massaged in.

Undesirable effectsThis section has been translated automatically.

However, overdose may cause central excitement, dizziness or impaired consciousness. Long-term intake of caraway oil may cause liver and kidney damage.

ContraindicationThis section has been translated automatically.

Allergies to umbelliferous plants (including fennel, caraway, celery, coriander or dill), liver damage, bile complaints.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding no studies on safety yet, also for children under 12 years of ageno
reservations about external application (rubbing).

InteractionsThis section has been translated automatically.

There are no known interactions with other drugs.

Recipe(s)This section has been translated automatically.

Combinations of:

are used for mild, cramp-like complaints in the gastrointestinal tract, for loss of appetite and for dyspeptic complaints such as flatulence and a feeling of fullness. See and combination preparation: angelica root, gentian root, caraway.

The combination senna leaves, peppermint oil and caraway oil consists of:

has a lanxiering and antispasmodic effect and is used for constipation.

Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.

Squeeze caraway fruit slightly immediately before use, as the essential oil is located in secretion spaces within the fruit and this is the only way it can pass into the extraction medium.

Caraway oil is one of the stronger carminatives and is more effective than fennel and aniseed.

Caraway oil is a component of the four winds oil, which is mainly used by midwives for infants and small children to treat stomach aches. Chewing caraway seeds can also reduce severe bad breath.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Matsumura T et al. (2002) Water-soluble constituents of caraway: aromatic compound, aromatic compound glucoside and glucides. Phytochemistry 61:455-459.
  2. Sadiq S et al. (2010)The reno-protective effect of aqueous extract of Carum carvi (black zeera) seeds in streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy in rodents. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl 21:1058-1065.
  3. Schilcher H (2016) in: Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag Munich, p. 196 f.
  4. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/kuemmel.php.
  5. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-carum-carvi-l-fructus_en.pdf
  6. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 142-143

Authors

Last updated on: 02.03.2023