Discover the amazing power of Caraway
Did you know that caraway oil can not only help with digestive problems, but also has a wonderful fragrance? That's very convenient then, because digestive challenges are not usually known for pleasant smells, right? Thus, once again nature has a handy solution for us! In this blog post, we are going to look at doTERRA Caraway oil and why it is a must-have for your essential oil collection.
Caraway as bringer of wisdom
Caraway has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes and was used in ancient Egypt to treat digestive problems.
It was also known to the ancient Greeks and Romans and was even mentioned in the Bible. In Norse mythology, caraway was associated with the god Odin, who used it to gain wisdom and knowledge. According to legend, Odin was the god of wisdom and was often depicted with a spear in his hand called Gungnir. The story goes that Odin stuck his spear into the ground and promised that he would grant wealth and knowledge to whoever found it again. A young man named Egil found the spear and received a bag of caraway seeds from Odin as a reward.
In Norse mythology, caraway was also associated with the goddess Freya, who was the protector of fertility, love and sexuality. The seed of the caraway plant was often used as an aphrodisiac and was associated with this goddess because of its supposed strengthening properties.
In medieval times, caraway was also grown in Europe and used for medicinal purposes, especially for digestive problems.
Caraway has been used since ancient times as a flavoring in foods such as breads and pastries. In some cultures, caraway was also used as an aphrodisiac.
Another remarkable fact is that caraway was used to make coffee in Germany in the 18th century when coffee beans were scarce. The seeds of the caraway plant were roasted and ground to make a coffee substitute. At the time, this was a much cheaper alternative to coffee.
Caraway – proven in science
Scientific studies have shown that Caraway oil can be effective in supporting healthy digestive conditions such as gas, indigestion and abdominal cramps.
A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2014 showed that Caraway oil promotes digestion and can help treat dyspepsia, a common condition characterized by stomach discomfort.
Another study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2017 showed that Caraway oil has properties that promote healthy inflammatory responses and can help treat joint discomfort and other related challenges.
A more recent study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition in 2021 reaffirmed that caraway oil is effective in treating digestive problems and can help reduce bloating, gas and stomach cramps after eating. This study also concluded that caraway oil is safe to use internally and has no side effects.
It is important to remember that these benefits are based on scientific research, which has not necessarily been conducted with doTERRA Caraway essential oil.
Caraway – power from within
Caraway oil has a calming effect on the mind and can help reduce anxiety and stress. It can also help boost creativity and improve concentration.
Caraway is the oil of Loyalty & Fidelity and can help eliminate things that do not contribute to your ultimate joy and happiness. It can help you recognize your priorities and trust your gut feeling (intuition) to guide you toward inner peace and strength. Caraway can help release toxicity on all levels. Caraway helps you purify and fill yourself with light and truth so that you can be fully in your power.
Aromatic, tasty & surprising on the skin
Caraway oil can be used as aromatherapy by adding it to a diffuser or breathing it in directly. It can also be applied topically by mixing it with a base oil and applying it to the skin. Caraway can also be used internally, for example, combine one drop in a Veggie cap with Peppermint (Pepermunt), Gember or Fennel (Venkel) essential oil.
Gas Free Roll-On
This recipe unfortunately won't help you hot spring your energy bill, but provides pleasant relief for when you're feeling bloated.
10 drops of doTERRA Caraway oil
10 drops Peppermint (Pepermunt)
10 drops Lavender (Lavendel)
Mix into a 10 ml roll-on bottle, fill with a base oil of your choice. Apply to the abdomen for relief after a heavy meal.
The information in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified health care provider before beginning the use of essential oils or other supplements, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.
References
Khayyal, M.T., El-Ghazaly, M.A., Abdallah, D.M., Nassar, N.N., Okpanyi, S.N., Kreuter, M.H. (2014). “Mechanisms involved in the gastro-protective effect of caraway oil against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 152(2), 407-415.
Lieder, B., Rösch, D., Bohnenberger, S., Schweiggert-Weisz, U., & Carle, R. (2017). “In vitro anti-inflammatory and radical scavenging capacities of caraway (Carum carvi L.) essential oil fractions.” Journal of medicinal food, 20(11), 1068-1077.
Daraei Garmakhany, A., Asgary, S., Ghannadi, A., & Zare, A. (2021). “The effect of caraway essential oil on functional dyspepsia: A randomized controlled clinical trial.” International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 72(2), 249-256.