Carum carvi

Caraway, or Carum carvi, is a biennial plant in the family of Apliaceae that is native to Asia. Europe and Africa. Caraway is popular for fruits (also known as “seeds”) that has pungent anise-like flavor and aroma and is used for culinary preparations with medicinal benefits.

Caraway plant is similar in appearance to a carrot plant, that grows to about 2 feet in height. Caraway leaves are green with feathery texture and thread-like divisions, Caraway flowers bloom in late summer that is flat, Queen-Anne’s-lace-like umbells that is white or pinkish in color. As the flowers die, Caraway fruits (erroneously called but more commonly called as caraway seeds) can be harvested.

Caraway seeds are crescent-shaped achenes, around 2 mm long, with five pale ridges. Caraway root is considered a tap root and grows in a slender form to about eight to nine inches long. It has a yellow tone to it and when cooked, turns into a rich creamy white color.

Caraway has various medicinal uses and can easy be found in most drug-stores.Caraway is also used in veterinary medicine.

Caraway when used in combination with peppermint oil (Enteroplant, Spitzner Arzneimittel) seems to relieve heartburn, including symptoms of fullness and mild gastrointestinal spasms. Caraway can also improve symptoms of upset stomach, stomach cramping, nausea, and vomiting. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9006790

Caraway is valued for its medicinal benefits, particularly for digestive conditions such as; dyspepsia, colic and flatulence. Caraway is also used as intestinal diuretic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. It is traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion. While it is also known to boost the immune system.