Caraway is a medicinal plant recommended for reducing intestinal gas, preventing the formation of stomach ulcers or regulating blood sugar levels, and is also widely used in cooking to season foods.
The scientific name of this plant is I loved you dearalso known as Armenian cumin or cariz, and its parts normally used are the fruits, wrongly considered as seeds, being used for the preparation of food, as it gives a slightly spicy touch, being very similar to cumin, not only in the flavor as well as appearance.
Furthermore, caraway can also be used to prepare tea or even found in essential oil form, which can be ingested, applied to the skin or used in an aroma diffuser, for example.
What is it for
Caraway has several health benefits and is normally recommended for:
1. Reduce intestinal gas
Caraway helps prevent the formation of intestinal gases, stimulates the secretion of gastric juices, improving food digestion and reducing stomach motility, as carvone, a bioactive compound in caraway, acts on the intestinal muscles, helping to regulate transit.
Furthermore, it can also help relieve stomach pain and the feeling of heaviness in the stomach. A scientific study (1) indicated that topical use on the belly helped relieve abdominal cramps in people with irritable bowel syndrome. Discover some home remedies to help eliminate gas.
2. Prevent the formation of stomach ulcers
Caraway helps combat Helicobacter pyloria bacteria that increases the risk of stomach ulcers as it has antimicrobial properties.
Furthermore, it apparently helps protect the gastric mucosa from changes such as inflammation, erosion or bleeding, for example.
3. Has antimicrobial action
Caraway essential oil has an antimicrobial effect, being effective against some bacteria, such as Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi and contra Helicobacter pylori. This is because it has some active substances, such as carvacrol, which gives it this antibacterial property.
4. Regulate blood sugar
Caraway helps regulate blood sugar, which may be due to inhibition of liver function in glucose production and/or stimulation of glucose utilization by peripheral tissues, especially muscle and adipose tissue.
5. Helps repel insects
Caraway helps repel many insects found in food, such as Sitophilus zeamais, Sitophilus oryzae e Tribolium chestnutfor example, because it contains limonene and carvone, compounds with insecticidal effects.
Furthermore, limonene also has a molluscicidal effect, that is, it helps to eliminate Lymnaea acuminataa species of snail.
6. Reduces fluid retention
Due to its diuretic effect, caraway helps eliminate excess fluid in the body through urine, also favoring the elimination of sodium and potassium through it. See other ways to end fluid retention.
7. Has antioxidant action
Caraway has some active substances, such as oxygenated monoterpenes and flavonoids, as well as vitamin A, C and E that act as powerful antioxidants, helping to combat damage caused by free radicals in cells, which can prevent the appearance of diseases, such as breast cancer. colon, for example.
8. Lower cholesterol
Due to its antioxidant action and its high fiber content, caraway can help reduce total cholesterol, bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, in addition to slightly increasing good cholesterol (HDL), thus preventing the development of diseases. diseases, such as heart disease and atherosclerosis, for example.
How to use
Caraway can be used in several ways, the main ones being:
1. Caraway tea
Caraway tea can be consumed by adults and children aged 10 and over.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of crushed caraway seeds;
- 150 mL of boiling water.
Preparation method
Place the water in a pan, when it boils, remove it from the heat and add the crushed caraway seeds. Cover and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Then strain and drink warm, 1 to 4 cups a day, between meals.
2. Caraway essential oil
Caraway essential oil can be used orally, adding 4 drops of the oil to 150 mL of boiling water. Furthermore, it can also be used to apply to the skin by diluting 1 or 2 drops in almond oil and then applying it to the skin 2 to 3 times a day.
Likewise, 3 to 4 drops can be added to an aroma diffuser to be inhaled.
It is important that the essential oil is used under the guidance of a doctor or healthcare professional with knowledge of medicinal plants.
3. Food seasoning
Caraway can be used to season meats, stews, couscous, salads and vegetables, for example. Its fruits, also called seeds, are also used to flavor some cheeses and breads, as well as in the preparation of digestive liqueurs, such as kümmel, for example.
Furthermore, it can also be used in confectionery to prepare cookies, muffins and cakes.
Possible side effects
The side effects of caraway may occur if ingested in large quantities, which may include itching and redness of the skin, headache or dizziness.
Additionally, caraway can also lower blood sugar too much, causing hypoglycemia. Know how to identify all the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Who shouldn’t use
Caraway should not be used by people who are allergic to this medicinal plant or allergic to celery, coriander or fennel.
Furthermore, pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as children, should consult a doctor before ingesting the tea or essential oil from this plant, as they are more concentrated than when used in food.
People taking oral antidiabetics should also consult their endocrinologist before using this plant, especially in the form of tea or essential oil, as they may affect the action of these medications.
Caraway should also not be used by people who suffer from epilepsy or who take anticonvulsants or other medications such as lithium, antibiotics, antifungals, antispasmodics, diuretics and central nervous system depressants.
