Caraway

Caraway seed has long been used, whole or ground, in northern european and other world cuisines. In the text book handbook of spices, seasonings, and flavorings, the author reports that the use of caraway goes back at least 5,000 years to mesopotamia. The name caraway comes from the arabic karawya. Asian cultures refer to it as aforeign cumina because of its resemblance in appearance and flavor to cumin.

In ancient roman, cooks seasoned sausages with caraway seeds. Hungarians flavored their famous goulash with caraway. These days, most of us associate caraway with popular german and austrian rye bread recipes; this fragrant ingredient contains oil with strong anti-fungal and anti-yeast properties. Simmered with milk and honey, caraway as been used as a remedy for colic.

A tea made from caraway seed has been used as a remedy for loss of appetite and digestive disorders. It has also been used to treat gallbladder spasms and menstrual cramps. In addition, caraway seed is used as a ingredient in body care products and cosmetics. Caraway seed can also be employed in tinctures, infusions, and encapsulations.

The caraway is propagated chiefly for the seeds. It bears divers stalks of fine cut leaves a little like the leaves of carrots, from among which rise a square stalk, at whose joints are set leaves a little like those of the cararot, but smaller, and at the top small umbels of white flowers, which turn into small blackish seed, which are well known. The root is whitish, small and long, like a parsnip, but with more wrinkled bark, and much less. It is usually sown in gardens. It flowers in july and seeds quickly after.

Caraway is a good remedy for expelling wind, and for colic. The young root is better food than parasnips; it is comfortable to the stomach, and promotes digestion. The powder of the seed made into a poultice, takes away black and blue spots produced by blows and bruises. The herb itself, or with some of the seed bruised, laid hot in a bag or double cloth to the lower part of the belly, removes wind and colic. Combined with senna, these seeds correct its griping effects. The oil of caraway, given in six or eight drops on a lump of sugar, is good for pains of the stomach, heart-burn, etcetera.

Add caraway seed to sauerkraut, giving the fermented cabbage that distinct caraway flavor.

Cook traditional rye bread recipes calling for caraway seeds.

Rye flour is healthy and distinct in itself.

Add caraway seeds to scones, muffins, dumplings, and other appropriate baked goods. (add when you would add the dry ingredients.) top your toast with olive oil and caraway seed to shake up your toast.

Use caraway seed in a carrot salad or coleslaw to bring new life to these family favorites.

Make a caraway seed tea to improve your digestion.

Lightly saute your greens in the oil of your choice along with a dash of caraway.

On account of its detoxifying properties, it also helps in lowering the pace of aging. It helps in reducing the signs of aging like fine lines, patches on skin, dark spots and wrinkles. They help boost immunity.

It prevents the exhaustion of t-cells, which in turn prevents the strain on the immune system, thereby strengthening it and preventing against infections and diseases.

Help in improving the texture of the skin on account of its rich vitamin e content. They have a strong and pungent odor. As such, the seeds may be chewed to get rid of the bad breath as well as the insipid or bland taste in the mouth. Also serves as a tonic for pregnant women. They are a potent emmenagogue.

The seeds regulate the menstrual cycle and regularize your periods. They also help reduce pre-menstrual syndrome (pms) like pain in lower abdomen, bloating and water retention in the body, nausea, and loss of appetite, among others.

Enhances eyesight and also improves skin and hair texture.

Prevents impotency in males by stimulating sperm production.

They are a potent carminative, which help clear up cough and phlegm from the respiratory tract and relieves congestion.

They have proven effective for lactating mothers by promoting milk secretion.

Lactating women may consume caraway seeds in honey to enhance milk production for the health of the baby.

Promotes the activity of glands, thereby maintaining the overall physiology of the body.

Regulates the function of kidneys, cleaning the body of waste materials and toxins.

Its seed extract may also be used in the treatment of scabies.

It may also be deployed to cure ear infections and pain.

The seeds are a potent antiseptic agent, which prevents and cure infections.

It is also effective in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism and inflammation of joints.

They may also be used to cure severe headache and migraine.

Usage of caraway seeds is an effective remedy to cure toothache and other oral afflictions.

Caraway seeds may be used as a flavoring agent in the kitchen.

It may be used in sausages as well as meat preparations.

Caraway is a common ingredient traditionally in the bread, cheese, and soup of the german peasantry because of its distinct flavor.

Traditionally, it was mixed with ginger and salt and added to butter to flavor the butter.

It is also used in a liquor common in both germany and russia, akummel,a flavored by caraway.