Introduction

Caraway is a plant. Its small berries are dried and referred to as seeds. The seeds have been used to ease digestion. They can be taken as a pill or powder. The seeds can also be made into both liquid and oil extracts. Caraway seeds can also be made into a tea.

Dosages

There aren’t any advised doses for caraway.

What Research Shows

May Be Effective

  • Dyspepsia —may ease pain and improve quality of life, especially when used with peppermint A1-A4

Not Enough Data to Assess

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Safety Notes

It is likely safe to take caraway for a short time. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to take for a long period of time.

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.

References

REFA Dyspepsia

REFA1 May B, Kuntz HD, et al. Efficacy of a fixed peppermint oil/caraway oil combination in non-ulcer dyspepsia. Arzneimittelforschung. 1996 Dec;46(12):1149-1153.

REFA2 Madisch A, Heydenreich CJ, et al. Treatment of functional dyspepsia with a fixed peppermint oil and caraway oil combination preparation as compared to cisapride. A multicenter, reference-controlled double-blind equivalence study. Arzneimittelforschung. 1999 Nov;49(11):925-932.

REFA3 May B, Köhler S, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a fixed combination of peppermint oil and caraway oil in patients suffering from functional dyspepsia. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2000 Dec;14(12):1671-1677.

REFA4 Rich G, Shah A, et al. A randomized placebo-controlled trial on the effects of Menthacarin, a proprietary peppermint- and caraway-oil-preparation, on symptoms and quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017 Nov;29(11).

REFB Irritable Bowel Syndrome

REFB1 Lauche R, Janzen A, et al. Efficacy of Caraway Oil Poultices in Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome--A Randomized Controlled Cross-Over Trial. Digestion. 2015;92(1):22-31.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
  • Review Date: 05/2020
  • Update Date: 04/14/2020