Caraway Seeds Benefits Remedies Origin Nutritive Value Medicinal Virtues Uses Shahjeera

CARAWAY SEEDS (Shahjeera)

Description:

                   

The caraway (Carum carni) is a biennial, aromatic plant. It has usually a fleshy root, which tastes somewhat like carrots, and is yellowish on the outside and whitish on the inside. It has slender, branched stem that attains a height of 0.5 to 0.6 meters. The plant has finely cut, ferny leaves like the foliage of carrots. They are divided into very narrow segments. The flowers are small and white and they are used in many flower arrangements. The fruit, when ripe, splits into narrow, elongated carpels 4 to 6.5 mm long, cured, pointed at the ends and have four longitudinal ridges on the surface.

The seeds, which are actually one-half a piece of the fruits of the plant, are brown in colour and hard and sharp to touch. They are widely used as a spice for culinary purpose. They are available whole or ground. They have pleasant odour, aromatic flavor, somewhat sharp taste and leave a somewhat warm feeling in the mouth.

Origin and distribution:

The caraway seeds is indigenous to Europe, parts of Asia, India and North Africa. It’s qualities were recognized by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Caraway is mentioned in the Ebers pspyrus of 1552 B.C., a manuscript by the Greek herbalist Discorides, and tiny seeds were found in a pile of 5.000 yearold debri left by primitive Mesolithic lake dwellers in Switzerland. It was used extensively by the ancient Greeks and Romans. It has been mentioned in the 12^th century German medical book and a 14^th century English cookbook.

The seeds were widely used in the Middle Ages. They have been used for centuries in breads, cakes, and with baked fruit, especially roasted apples. Becaused caraway was said to prevent lovers from straying, it was once an essential ingredient in love potions. The seeds of caraway were prescribed for bringing bloom to the cheeks of pale-faced young maidens. The plant was also reputed to have power against evil.

Caraway is now grown in north and central Europe, extending to the Caucasus, Persia, Tibet and Siberia. In India, the caraway grows wild in the north Himalayan region. The spice is cultivated as a winter crop on the plains and a summer crop in Kashmir, Kumaon, Garhawal and Chamba at altitudes of 2,740 to 3,660 metres.

Nutritive Value/Composition:

An analysis of caraway seeds shows it to contain moisture 4.5 per cent, protein 7.6 per cent, fat 8.8 per cent, carbohydrates 50.2 per cent, ash 3.7 per cent, calcium 1.0 per cent, phosphorous 0.09 per cent thiamine 3.38 per cent. Riboflavin 0.38 per cent, niacin 8.1 per cent, vitamin C 12.0 mg. per cent and vitamin A 580 I.U. per 100 grams. Its calorific value is 465 per 100 gram.

A valuable oil, containing 45-65 per cent of carvone, is obtained from caraway seeds. This oil is colourless or pale yellow with a strong odour and flavor of the fruit. The volatile oil contains a mixture of ketone, carvone, terpene and traces of carvacrol.

Medicinal Virtues:

The caraway seeds, leaves and roots are considered useful in activating the glands, besides increasing the action of the kidneys. The seeds is considered as an excellent ‘house cleaner’ for the body. The seeds, whole or ground help in the assimilation of starchy foods such as pastries, breads, biscuits, and certain vegetables which tend to produce flatulence such as cabbage, cucumber and onion. They also help digest stewes and baked fruits like apples and pears, Caraway oil is used in Medicine to relieve flatulence. It is also used to correct the nauseating and gripping effects of some medicines.

Digestive Disorders : Caraway seeds are useful in strengthening the functions of stomach. They are gas relieving food and help expel wind from the stomach. They are useful in flatulent colic, and counter any possible adverse effects of medicines. However, the volatile oil of the seeds is employed more often than the seeds.

For flatulence, a cup of tea made from caraway seeds taken thrice a day, after meals, will give relief. This tea is prepared by adding a teaspoon of caraway seeds in 1.5 to 2 litres of boiling water and allowing it to simmer on a slow fire 15 minutes. It is then strained and sipped hot or warm.

Hookworm : Carvone, isolated from caraway oil, is used as anthelmintic, especially in removing hookworms from the intestines.

Scabies : A dilute solution, containing small amounts of the oil of the caraway and alcohol mixed in 75 parts of castor oil is considered beneficial in the treatment of scabies. The solution should be taken orally.

Bad Breath:  Caraway seeds oil is used orally in overcoming bad breath or insipid taste.

Uses:

Today caraway is found in kitchens throughout the world. The roots and leaves can be used fresh. The long, slender roots are sometimes boiled as a vegetable and the leaves are sometimes used in salads, cream soups, cabbage, cauliflower potato dishes.

Caraway seeds, dried and whole are most often used as seasoning in rye bread. But number of European countries like Germany, Holland, Austria, England and the Netherlands have long included it in their fare. Caraway seeds widely used in biscuits and crackers, spiced seeds cake, candies, cookies and cheese.