A review on the pharmacological aspects of Carum carvi

Carum carvi, is one of the earliest cultivated herbs in Asia, Europe and Africa. The seeds of Carum carvi (caraway) are considered as antispasmodic, carminative, astringent and used in the treatment of stomatich stimulant, diarrhea, dyspepsia, hysteria, flatulent indigestion, colic, dyspeptic headache and improve liver function. In ancient Indian ayurvedic literature use of C. carvi seeds is well documented scientist working in different parts of the world has now experimentally proved the validity of ancient therapeutic uses of C. carvi seeds. Major phytochemicals reported in C. carvi seeds are limonene, carvacrol, carvone, carvenone, γ-terpinene, α-pinene, linalool, and p-cymene. The present review highlights the current status of researches on the pharmacology of C. carvi seeds. This will strengthen our traditional system of ayurvedic treatments by C. carvi seeds.