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Caraway Essential Oil Benefits and Uses in Aromatherapy

Spiritually, the uplifting and energizing scent of caraway essential oil benefits us by offering "protective properties [that enable] our angels to assist us in viewing our life in a spiritual light rather than a physical one," writes aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood in Aromatherapy for the Soul.

Aromatherapy supplies and a caraway plant with the words A Guide To Caraway Essential Oil and Its Benefits and Uses in Aromatherapy.

Basic Caraway Facts

This oil is also called caraway seed essential oil (Carum carvi).

Plant family: Apiaceae.

Production: Steam distilled from seeds of the plant, which is a biennial herb. A CO₂ extracted oil is also available but may have different properties than those of the essential oil.

Aroma: Sweet, warm, spicy, herbaceous.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Middle.

Is caraway safe to use during pregnancy? No, because of the carvone content.

Is caraway essential oil safe for children? Some sources advise not to use the essential oil with children under the age of 2 or 3.

Cautions: If caraway oil becomes oxidized, it can cause skin sensitization.

Main components:

(+)-carvone 47.3–59.5%
(+)-limonene 36.9–48.8%
beta-myrcene 0.2–1.0%

Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Ed.

Caraway Essential Oil Benefits

Caraway seed is a warming stimulant for weak conditions, according to Aromatica: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, Vol. 2. This property gives the oil the following benefits:

Digestive support: digestive stimulant that calms upper indigestion, distension, flatulence, and aerophagia (the swallowing of so much air that it collects in your stomach, creating unpleasant symptoms).
Liver-gallbladder support: addresses acute or chronic liver-gallbladder congestion with indigestion and right lower torso pain.
Respiratory support: helps dry up excess mucus.

Commonly mentioned caraway essential oil benefits for digestion include helping relieve gastrointestinal conditions in general and specifically flatulence, intestinal cramp or spasm, nervous indigestion, nausea, and poor appetite.

Suggested respiratory uses include colds, coughs, and allergic rhinitis. (Sources: The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (updated edition) and The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy.)

"The fragrance helps overcome mental strain and improves energy efficiency," according to Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art.

TCM and Ayurvedic Benefits of Caraway

Aromatherapy For Healing the Spirit: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, caraway oil promotes Qi-energy flow in the Stomach and intestines and is useful for digestive problems. Caraway also strengthens the Yang energy of the Spleen-pancreas, reinforces the Earth element, and restores the ability to remain centered and steadfast.

Ayurveda and Aromatherapy:

The rasa (taste) of caraway is pungent, the vipaka (aftertaste) is pungent, and the virya (energy) is heating and drying.
The oil decreases vata and kapha and increases pitta.
Tissues most affected by the oil are digestive and scalp.
Indications for this essential oil include indigestion, gas, colic, nervous conditions, and accumulation of fluids and toxins.

Spiritual and Energetic Benefits of Caraway

Stillpoint Aromatics: Caraway supports energetic digestion, which helps you process and let go of old emotions or energies that are no longer useful. The best use of this oil is in meditative practices or rituals focused on emotional clearing. The oil is especially helpful when you want to let go of grief or emotional stagnation or if you need grounding after a spiritual or energetic shift.

Suggested roll-on blend to support emotional digestion, especially when your body is holding onto grief or emotional tension:

4 drops caraway seed essential oil
3 drops cardamom essential oil
2 drops neroli essential oil
1 drop rose essential oil
10 ml (about 2 teaspoons) jojoba oil

Drop essential oils into a 10-ml roller bottle. Add the jojoba oil. Cap and shake.

Use: Apply to the solar plexus or heart chakra during times of emotional overload or stagnation.

Mixing Essential Oils for Magic: Caraway is helpful when you have a problem keeping or retaining things. This essential oil stimulates cycles, increases luck, and maintains well-being. Use the oil to restore confidence, encourage fidelity, and initiate changes.

Caraway Essential Oil Uses and Blends

Diffusing caraway essential oil can also help calm nerves and support the respiratory system. Using a massage or bath blend may help relieve painful menstrual periods or respiratory congestion.

Menstrual Pain Relief

3 drops geranium essential oil
2 drops caraway essential oil
1 drop lavender essential oil
2 teaspoons carrier oil

Massage a little of the blend gently onto the abdomen in a clockwise direction.

Source: Base Formula

Stress-Relief Bath

2 drops caraway
2 drops roman chamomile essential oil
2 drops geranium essential oil
1/2 cup full-fat milk

Blend essential oils into milk. Stir into a warm bath. (Source: Base Formula)

Uplifting Diffuser Blend for Positivity

2 drops caraway
2 drops ho leaf essential oil
3 drops lemon essential oil

Use according to your diffuser's instructions. (Source: Base Formula)

Caraway Digestive Blends

You can use caraway alone for digestive problems. Diffuse the oil, make a massage oil for abdominal massage, or make a bath blend for a good soak. A guideline for a massage oil is 3 to 9 drops caraway in one tablespoon carrier oil.

Massage Oil for Indigestion

5 drops caraway
5 drops sweet fennel essential oil
5 drops dill essential oil
3 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops cardamom essential oil
1.5 to 2 tablespoons carrier oil

Source: The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

Digestive Support Blend

2-ounce bottle
5 drops caraway essential oil
5 drops bergamot essential oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil
5 drops sweet orange essential oil
Sweet almond oil

Add the essential oils to the bottle. Then fill it with sweet almond oil. Shake to mix well. Massage a teaspoon of the blend over the abdomen. Source: Eden's Garden

Nervous Indigestion Relief

5 drops caraway
4 drops peppermint essential oil
3 drops grapefruit essential oil
2 tablespoons carrier oil

Massage a little of the blend over the abdomen in a clockwise direction.
Source: 150 Ways to Use Essential Oils

Caraway Essential Oil Benefits FAQ

Can you use caraway for dogs and cats?

The Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Workbook suggests you can use the oil for dogs in blends for mange. Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals says you can use small amounts of the oil in blends for dogs with digestive problems. You must be much more careful with cats. Consult a vet as appropriate.

Can you use caraway in skin care?

Most sources do not discuss using this essential oil in skin care. However, Llewellyn's Complete Book of Essential Oils says that caraway essential oil benefits oily hair and skin. Several sources do mention using the oil in ointments for skin problems, such as boils, cuts, and scrapes. Llewellyn's suggests the following blend:

1/4 ounce beeswax
3.5 to 4 tablespoons carrier oil
15 drops caraway essential oil
12 drops lavender essential oil

Place the beeswax and carrier oil in a heat-safe glass container in a saucepan with a couple inches of water.
Warm over low heat, stirring until the wax melts.
Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
Stir in the essential oils.
Adjust the thickness if necessary. Pour into a small glass container. Let the mixture cool completely before using or storing.

Can you use caraway for the chakras?

Stillpoint suggests using the oil for the second (sacral) chakra to support relationships and creation energy and for the fourth (heart) chakra to support unconditional love, balance, grounding, and purification.

About the Author

Carol Wiley is a retired massage therapist and freelance writer. She uses her deep interest in aromatherapy and essential oils to research their benefits and uses and bring you summaries and blends with links to more resources.

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