Caraway: a spice with wonderful medicinal properties

Caraway, also known as meadow cumin or Carum Carvi, it is a spice still little known in the world. It is very similar to cumin, both in appearance and flavor, although its seed is slightly larger. It could also be said that it has a flavor and aroma more similar to anise. Physically it has a great resemblance to carrots, with bright green leaves and has various medicinal properties.

This spice grows wild in mountainous areas. It contains between 3 to 7% of essence and approximately 16% of oil. It is usually used to flavor different foods, such as salads, breads, and stews.

Medicinal Properties of Caraway

The benefits of this plant are usually used for medicinal purposes. These properties mean that its use has been extended for many years, not only in men and women, but also in animals.

This spice has countless benefits. On the one hand, it can be used to stimulate intestinal transit and in this way it improves symptoms such as indigestion, calms flatulence and intestinal colic. It also serves to stimulate appetite.

It also has analgesic properties. In other words, it reduces stomach pain, menstrual pain and toothaches. It also helps calm asthma and bronchitis.

This spice is good for the skin, as it can be used in burns and wound cleaning. It also helps mitigate headache and acts as a solution against bad breath or halitosis.

Caraway can be taken as an infusion, half a teaspoon of seeds in a cup of boiling water after meals will do well to digestion. It also serves as the base for a homemade liqueur called kummel, cold macerating seeds in alcohol and then sweetening them with syrup. In Europe, it is used to flavor cheese.

Other Uses of Caraway

In addition, caraway is part of different spice blends, such as ras-el-hanout; a mixture of cumin, oregano, coriander, turmeric, caraway, paprika, nutmeg and cayenne, among others, which is used to marinate meats and for various stews.

Like many other spices, caraway can have contraindications to consumption. For this reason, it is always better to consult a doctor before ingesting it. This plant is not usually sold in any supermarket, but it can be found easily in dietetics, spice shops or herbalists.

What are you waiting to try the benefits of caraway?