Overview

Caraway (Carum carvi) is a plant that is grown in Asia, Africa, and Europe. The oil, fruit, and seeds are used as medicine.

Caraway oil might improve digestion and relieve spasms in the stomach and intestines.

People use caraway for indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), obesity, constipation, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse caraway with Bishop's weed or black seed. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

  • Indigestion (dyspepsia). Taking caraway together with peppermint by mouth seems to improve symptoms of indigestion. It's not clear if taking caraway alone helps.
There is interest in using caraway for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Caraway is commonly consumed in foods. Caraway is possibly safe when used as medicine, short-term. Caraway oil is usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include burping, heartburn, and nausea when used with peppermint oil.

When applied to the skin: Caraway oil is possibly safe when used for up to 3 weeks.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Caraway is commonly consumed in foods. Caraway is possibly safe when used as medicine, short-term. Caraway oil is usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include burping, heartburn, and nausea when used with peppermint oil.

When applied to the skin: Caraway oil is possibly safe when used for up to 3 weeks.

Pregnancy: Caraway is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. Caraway oil has been used to start menstruation, and this might cause a miscarriage. There isn't enough reliable information to know if caraway is safe to apply to the skin during pregnancy. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if caraway is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Too much iron in the body (hemochromatosis): Caraway extract might increase the absorption of iron. Overuse of caraway extract with iron supplements or iron-containing food might increase iron levels in the body. This may be a problem for people who already have too much iron in the body.

Surgery: Caraway might lower blood sugar levels. This might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using caraway at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CARAWAY

    Caraway might lower blood sugar levels. Taking caraway along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

  • Lithium interacts with CARAWAY

    Taking caraway fruit extract might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) substrates) interacts with CARAWAY

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Caraway might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with CARAWAY

    Caraway extract might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking caraway with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.

  • Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with CARAWAY

    Caraway fruit extract can decrease potassium levels. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium levels. Taking caraway along with "water pills" might make potassium levels drop too low.

    Minor Interaction

    Be watchful with this combination

  • Isoniazid interacts with CARAWAY

    Caraway seed extract might increase how much isoniazid the body absorbs. This might increase the effects and side effects of isoniazid.

  • Pyrazinamide interacts with CARAWAY

    Caraway seed extract might increase blood levels of pyrazinamide. This might increase the effects and side effects of pyrazinamide.

  • Rifampin (Rifadin) interacts with CARAWAY

    Caraway seed extract might increase blood levels of rifampin. This might increase the effects and side effects of rifampin.

Dosing

Caraway oil has most often been used by adults in combination with other ingredients in doses of 50 mg by mouth one to three times daily. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition. There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of caraway might be when it is taken alone.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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