Benefits & Uses of Caraway Essential Oil

Our Caraway is sourced from Hungary and Finland. The plant originated in Europe and Western Asia and is now cultivated in many countries including Holland, Germany, England, India and Polland.

Carum carvi grows to around 50 to 100cms high and has soft feathery foliage that looks like carrot leaves. The flowers are tiny white or pink buds that grow in an umbrella configuration. The flowers give way to fruit that eventually ripen into oblong shaped seeds. These small seeds have ridges around it and is where the essential oil is found.

Caraway essential oil is produced by steam distillation. The ripe and dry seeds are ground into a powder and placed into a distillation container. Distilled water is then added to the powder and the mixture is heated to boiling point. The steam rises into cooling vessels where it returns to water and essential oil. The fresh essential oil is collected ready for bottling. The hydrosol of caraway tends not to be used for aromatherapy purposes. The yield of essential oil from caraway seeds is about 1 to 6 %.

1. Antispasmodic – may help reduce cramps and tummy pains caused by spasming in the intestines. May also alleviate wind pains.
2. Appetite – may help restore an appetite after fasting, illness or a stressful episode.
3. Indigestion – may improve indigestion by supporting liver and gall bladder function.
4. Fluid retention – reported to reduce fluid retention due to a mild diuretic action.
5. Respiratory system – eases blocked sinuses and congested lungs with expectorant properties.
6. Reproductive health – Caraway’s warming properties are thought to help ease period pain and encourage menstruation. (Note: the are no warnings about using Caraway essential oil during pregnancy.)
7. The Centred Mind – Caraway’s spicy aroma is said to help ground a wayward mind and promote feelings of safety and security. May be useful to create calm during hectic mornings or when feeling anxious or stressed.

• Massage: add up to 2.5% dilution to your massage blend (5 drops per 10ml carrier oil). For digestive system complaints a higher dilution of 5% (10 per 10ml carrier oil) may be used daily for no longer than 3 weeks.

• Diffuser: add 6 to 8 drops of Caraway essential oil to your diffuser to create a grounding atmosphere for an overactive mind.

• Steam: add 1 to 2 drops of essential oil to steaming hot water to help clear lungs and sinuses.

• Compress: add 2 drops of essential oil to a bowl of warm water. Agitate a face washer in the water and wring out excess moisture. Apply compress to abdominal area to ease digestive complaints or period pain. Compress with very warm water to help warm up and improve circulation.

• Quick fix: a few deep inhalations from the bottle may help reduce feelings of nausea or encourage a weak appetite.

• Shower: add a few drops of Caraway essential oil to a face washer and place in the corner of the shower. The heat from the water will evaporate the essential oil leaving you to enjoy a warming and grounding steam bath.

Blending:

Caraway has a distinct aroma that blends well with many essential oils. It has a moderate odour intensity level that won’t overpower your aromatic creation. Caraway essential oil adds subtle spicy warm undertones to a blend.

Caraway blends well with Bergamot, Black Pepper, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Peppermint, Pine, Spearmint, Sweet Orange.

Caraway essential oil is considered non-toxic, although it may be irritating to the skin if used in very high concentrations. 

Caraway, along with Spearmint and Dill essential oils contain around 50 to 60% of a compound called carvone.  Carvone is thought to ease digestion, improve menstrual flow, and act as an expectorant.  Other research indicates that carvone may increase relaxation and decrease pain reception through its effect on the central nervous system.