Biological source: Caraway is the dried ripe fruits of Carum carvi, belonging to family Umbelliferae

Geographical source: It is cultivated in central and Northern Europe, Morocco and Egypt. It was well Known to the Arabian physicians.

Macroscopic characters:

• Commercial drug consists chiefly of separated mericarps.

• The mericarp is narrow, curved or crescent –shaped tapering towards both ends, 4 to 7 mm. long and 1mm broad, almost equally 5- sided.

• The outer surface is grayish brown to dark brown, glabrous and marked with 5 yellowish longitudinal primary ridges and sometimes secondary ridges may be seen.

• A transverse section of the mericarp is an almost regular pentagon in out line, the commissural surface being slightly longer.

• It shows 6 vittae and 5 vascular bundles in the pericarp which encloses a seed with a large oily endosperm and small apical embryo.

• Caraway has characteristic agreeable aromatic odour and taste.

Uses:

• It is used as carminative and antispasmodic.

• It is used as a tonic in the treatment of digestive disorders chiefly in pediatrics, in combination with other drugs such as chamomile.

• Caraway relieves flatulence, stimulates its function of digestive organs and relaxes spasms of the smooth muscles.

• It is relieve chest colds, to stimulate the mammary glands and to increase lactation in the nursing mother.

• It is also used in food industry as a flavouring agent in bread and rolls, in cheese, soups and sauces

References:

1. Trease D. & Evans W.C.: Text Book of Pharmacognosy: W.B. Saunders.

2. Tyler V. E. Brady L. R. & Robbers J. E.: Pharmacognosy; Lea Feibger, USA.

3. Wallis T. E.; Text Book of Pharmacognosy; CBS Publishers, Delhi.

4. Kokate C. K., Purohit A. P. & Gokhale S. B.: Pharmacognosy; Nirali Publications, Pune.

5. Harbone J. B.: Phytochemical Methods: A guide to modern techniques Analysis: Chapman & Hall, London.

6. Bruneton J.: Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants: Intercept Limited.