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.
Is It Effective?
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
- 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.
Is it Safe?
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 & Warnings:
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.
Isoniazid
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Caraway seed extract might increase how much isoniazid the body absorbs. This might increase the effects and side effects of isoniazid.
Lithium
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
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 for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
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.
Pyrazinamide
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Caraway seed extract might increase blood levels of pyrazinamide. This might increase the effects and side effects of pyrazinamide.
Rifampin (Rifadin)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Caraway seed extract might increase blood levels of rifampin. This might increase the effects and side effects of rifampin.
Sedative medications (CNS depressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
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)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
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.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Caraway might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements with sedative properties: Caraway might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking it along with other supplements with similar effects might cause too much sleepiness and/or slowed breathing in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include hops, kava, L-tryptophan, melatonin, and valerian.
Iron: Caraway extract might increase iron absorption from supplements and increase iron levels in the body.
Caraway extract might increase iron absorption from foods and increase iron levels in the body.
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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