By Maryann Readal
Caraway seed, Carum carvi, has been utilized in many international locations of the world as a spice and as a drugs for a really very long time.
The caraway plant will be both biennial or annual. It’s native to western Asia, northern Europe, and north Africa. It grows as an annual in cooler climates, and in hotter areas, it’s planted within the fall and produces flowers and fruit the next yr. Caraway doesn’t tolerate sizzling, humid climate properly. The flowers appeal to useful bees and wasps to the backyard, and the crescent formed “seeds” are literally thought of to be fruits. The herb is within the Apiaceae household, and the umbel-shaped, white-to-pink flowers resemble these of dill, parsley, celery, and different family members. It produces an extended taproot that may be eaten as a vegetable, nonetheless, due to the taproot, it doesn’t transplant simply. So, caraway is finest grown from seed and can reseed within the backyard.
References to caraway are discovered within the Ebers Papyrus (1500 BCE) and within the writings of the Greek doctor, Dioscorides (50-70 CE). Some hint its use again to the Stone Age, as a result of fossilized seeds have been discovered round lake dwellings from that interval. The Romans used caraway and unfold its use to different elements of their realm. It has been cultivated in Europe because the Center Ages.
There are some conventional legends surrounding caraway. It was as soon as positioned beneath the mattress of “troubled kids” as safety from witches. Maybe these “troubled kids” really suffered from colic, which caraway was later used to deal with. It was additionally used as a love potion as a consequence of a perception that it saved a lover from straying. For that cause, it was additionally used as meals for chickens and birds to make sure that they might not fly away (Ravindran, 2017). Within the language of flowers, caraway symbolizes faithfulness. In Poland, it was believed that the seeds had the best therapeutic powers if collected on June twenty fourth, the feast of St. John the Baptist. Baggage containing caraway seeds, together with anise, fennel, and coriander seeds, had been worn across the neck due to a perception of their magical properties and their means to expel fuel (Knab, 2020).
Traditionally, caraway has been used to deal with gastrointestinal issues. Latest research help a few of the folks makes use of of this herb. These makes use of embrace lowering indigestion, aiding in weight reduction, lowering blood sugar ranges, and lowering irritation (WebMD, 2020). The important oil of the herb can work together with pharmaceuticals, so it is suggested that one examine with a healthcare supplier earlier than utilizing caraway as a remedy.
The culinary use of caraway is well-known. It’s used to make the north African chile sauce, harissa. It’s also used within the conventional British seed cake that’s loved with tea (Marchetti, 2013). Its anise-like taste can also be highly regarded in German and Slavic cuisines. The seed is used to taste breads akin to Jewish rye bread, sausages, cabbage, and fruit and vegetable dishes, in addition to cheeses akin to Havarti. The leaves are added to soups and salads. The seeds are additionally used to make alcoholic drinks akin to aquavit, kϋmmel, and vodka. They are often sugar coated and used as a breath freshener or a digestive help. The important oil is utilized in perfumes, ice cream, sweet, smooth drinks, and to taste kids’s medication (Bown, 2001). Rising up in a Slavic family, caraway seed was a staple spice in my mother’s kitchen.
For extra details about caraway, please see The Herb Society’s Herb of the Month net web page.
Photograph Credit: 1) Carum carvi flowers and leaves (Man Waterval, through Wikimedia); 2) Caraway seeds (courtesy of the creator); 3) Silesian bread with caraway seeds (Silar, through Wikimedia)
Medicinal Disclaimer: It’s the coverage of The Herb Society of America, Inc. to not advise or suggest herbs for medicinal or well being use. This info is meant for academic functions solely and shouldn’t be thought of as a suggestion or an endorsement of any specific medical or well being remedy. Please seek the advice of a well being care supplier earlier than pursuing any natural remedies.
References
Bown, Deni. 2001 The Herb Society of America new encyclopedia of herbs and their makes use of. London: Doring Kindersley.
Knab, Sophie. 2020. Polish herbs, flowers and folks medication. New York: Hippocrene Books.
Marchetti, Domenica. 2013. The caraway seed is a spice price assembly. NPR. Accessed 8/30/22. Accessible from https://www.npr.org/2013/03/05/173529055/the-caraway-seed-is-a-spice-worth-meeting
Ravindran, P. (ed). 2017. Caraway: Carum carvi. The encyclopedia of herbs and spices. Accessed 8/30/22. CABI. Credo Reference Database.
WebMD. 2020. Caraway: Is it good for you. Accessed 8/30/22. Accessible from https://www.webmd.com/weight loss plan/caraway-good-for-you
Maryann is the Secretary of The Herb Society of America and a Texas Grasp Gardener. She is a member of The Society’s Texas Thyme Unit in Huntsville, TX. She lectures on herbs and does the herb coaching for a number of Grasp Gardener applications. She gardens among the many pines within the Piney Woods of East Texas
