Ethno-medicinal and phytochemical potential of Carum carvi Linn. and Cuminum cyminum: A review

Abstract

Caraway (Carum carvi L.) is a biennial plant in the family Apiaceae. Its seeds (fruits) which are used in food, cosmetics, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Processed products from caraway whole seed, such as seed powder, essential oil, fatty oil, oleoresins and caraway carvone are widely used in the food and medicinal industries. Caraway is one of the earliest cultivated herbs in Asia, Europe and Africa. The caraway seeds are considered as antispasmodic, carminative, astringent and used in the treatment of stomach stimulant, diarrhea, dyspepsia, hysteria, flatulent indigestion, colic, dyspeptic headache and improve liver function. In ancient Indi an ayurvedic literature use of C. carvi seeds is well documented Scientist working in different parts of the world has now experimentally proved the validity of ancient therapeuti c uses of C. carvi seeds. This will strengthen our the use of caraway seeds in traditional system of ayurvedic treatments by C. carvi seeds.