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| Health Benefits of Caraway |
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Caraway
It is said about caraway fruits that - by chewing them - one is able to disguise the alcohol in one's breath. The Romans would use it for flavoring and conserving meat. Nowadays, caraway is used in various types of medicine and the oil contained is used in cosmetics, at preparing soaps, lotions and perfumes.
Description
Caraway (Carum Carvi) is a biennial plant with a long history that started around 5000 years ago. Native to Egypt and east-Mediterranean countries, caraway is grown all over Europe, west Asia, Morocco, Turkey and America. It grows in a spontaneous way especially in mountainous regions and sunny dry areas. Due to its spicy flavor, it is an invaluable ingredient in Oriental, Indian, north-African and Mexican cuisines. It is also used in other countries of Europe. Its symbolical meaning is strongly represented in Germany, where young couples offer each other caraway as a symbol for fidelity. The Dutch use old recipes in which caraway fruits (also known as "seeds") are used in flavoring cheese. As a spice, caraway can be added in bread, soups, meat, salads and even cakes. It has a specific pungent taste to it; bitter and spicy at the same time. As medicine, only its seeds (Fructus Carvi) are used, and are appreciated for their property of stimulating food appetite and for alleviating stomach aches. Caraway is 30-50cm tall, has pinkish flowers and brown-yellowish seeds. In medicine, caraway has various uses and is easy to find in drug-stores. It is also used in veterinary medicine. Apart from that, caraway is a regular ingredient in perfume industry.
Proprieties
Caraway contains a considerable quantity of volatile oil (limonene, dehydrocarvon si dihydrocarveol), proteins, lipids, albuminoid substances, mineral substances, starch, tannins and so on.
Volatile oil is not only used in cosmetic industry in making perfumes, but also in therapeutic purposes, because it reacts efficiently in treating the gastro-intestinal tract. The main properties of the herb make it an effective stimulant of gastric secretion, it regulates stomach functions; it has anti-inflammatory properties for the intestines; it is a gastric and intestinal antiseptic and diuretic. Caraway plays an important part in stimulating food appetite and digestion. It also strengthens the body's immune system and alleviates cold symptoms.
Treatments and mixtures
Caraway is recommended by therapists in treating bronchitis in eliminating intestinal worms at babies and pregnant women, because it increases the quantity of milk. At thee same time caraway eliminates intestinal inflammations, increases diuresis and eliminates stomach gases owing to the fact that it is a strong carminative (especially if it is associated with fennel or coriander.
Caraway infusion. Is prepared from a spoonful of seeds in a cup with boiling water. It is then left to macerate for 15 minutes. The infusion is then administrated before every meal, three times a day to alleviate the loss of food appetite. As soon as inflammations of the skin occur, it is recommended to dab at the infected areas with caraway infusion.
Caraway poultices. Warmed-up caraway seeds that are placed on a gauze can be used to eliminate intestinal worms in cases of children. The poultices are applied on the stomach area.
Caraway powder. One gram of powder mixed with honey is another way of alleviating lack of food appetite and stimulating digestion. Against fermentation, colitis and diarrhea, caraway powder is mixed with mint fruits and is administrated four times a day for four weeks.
Caraway tincture. Owing to its energizing effects triggered by the volatile oil contained by the herb, the tincture mixture is used to ease brain circulation. Treatment with caraway tincture lasts one month by taking 4 spoonfuls of the mixture a day.
Note: The seeds can be harvested in August through the month of September.
Warning
Before starting treatment with products based on caraway it is recommended to see a specialist. It is known that it can trigger epilepsy states in children and overdoses taken by pregnant women can lead to miscarriages.
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