Caraway Oil

Description-
Caraway is a biennial plant belongs to Apiaceae family and its native place Asia, Europe and northern America. It is scientifically known as Carum carvi and also labeled with Apium carvi. Caraway popular as spice in Europe and Indian subcontinent. Caraway plant is cultivated well in warm, sunny location and well drained soil rich in organic matter. Caraway aroma is wonderful like fresh seeds, slightly sweet spicy odor with a touch of pepper.

Extraction-
Caraway oil is extracted from crescent shaped seeds of Caraway plant by distillation.

Properties-
It is colorless sometimes with a tinge of yellow darkens as oil matures. They have a pungent, anise like flavor and main aroma comes from essential oil mostly carvone, limonene & anethole.

Blended-
Caraway oil is blended with basil, coriander, Frankincense, Chamomile, ginger, orange and lavender oils.

Composition-
Major compositions are Carvone & limonene & other constituents are carvacrol, α-pinene, γ-terpinene, linalool, furfurol, thujone, carvenone, and p-cymene.

Uses-

• It is used as a spice in breads especially rye bread.
• It is also added in saukraut, used in sausage, patis, in cheese, desserts, casseroles, Indian cuisine rich dishes (pulav, biryani and other foods).
• Caraway oil has antioxidant properties that strengthen the connective tissue.
• It clear out wrinkles lessens in sagging skin and aids in tissue regeneration and improved natural complexion of skin.
• It is used in manufacture of skin care lotions, creams, ointments for reducing wrinkles and acne.
• It is used as to flavor medications and commonly used as fragrance in toothpaste, soap and cosmetics.
• It also used as mouthwashes and in skin rubs to improve local blood flow.
• It act as antispasmodic as provides relief from all sorts of spasms, in cramps & muscle pulls by inhibiting effect of enzymes.
• It serves as antihistaminic as it can be helpful by neutralizing the effects of histamines and cures potentially dangerous coughs and other ailments associated with histamines and allergies.
• It helps in destroying and inhibiting growth of free radicals which are responsible for cellular oxidation.
• It also helps in reducing the lipid peroxidation products of intestines and colon.
• It is used in formulation of perfumery, soap and cosmetic industries
• It gives relief in obstructed urination as it stimulates urination.
• It has carminative property and help in all digestive problems like flatulence pain, dyspepsia, colic and colitis.
• It is used as detoxifier; support in protection the liver from encountering of highly toxic substances.
• It cures infection of colon, digestive, respiratory, urinary and excretory systems.
• It helps in maintain proper heart rate, strengthens the cardiac muscles, prevents hardening of the arteries and veins.
• It acts as aperitif as it increase appetite and improve digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive juices and help in clear bowels and ease constipation.

Precaution and Safety-

Unsafe during pregnancy and breast feeding as caraway used to start menstruation and this might cause miscarriage.
It lowers blood sugar, it may interfere with diabetic medication in case of diabetes.
As it lower blood sugar levels, so interfere with blood sugar control during surgery.
It also increases absorption of iron during Hemochromatasis.

Specification of Caraway Oil BP

Specification of Caraway Oil:
Product – Caraway Oil
Shelf Life – 2 years
Botanical Source – Carum carvi
Appearance – Clear colorless or yellow liquid.
Odour – Caraway oil has a sweet spicy odor with a slight peppery smell.
Solubility – 1 Vol. dissolves in 8 vol. of 80% alcohol.
Colour – Light yellow to darker.
Specific Gravity – 0.904 – 0.920
Optical Rotation – +65 – +81
Refractive Index – 1.484 – 1.490
Acid Value – max. 1.0
Carvone Content – NLT 60%
Storage – In well fitted container in cool ad dark place.

Specification of Caraway Oil:
Botanical Source – Carum Carvi L.
Testing Protocol – IP
Description – A clear colourless amber yellow liquid, free from sediment and suspended matter.
Odor – Characteristics
Identification A.GC – As per standard
Flash Point – 54.0° – 58.0°
Solubility – 1 vol. dissolves in 8 vol. of 80% alcohol.
Relative Density – 0.901 – 0.920
Optical Rotation – +67.0° to +80.0°
Refractive Index – 1.484 – 1.489
Acid Value –  Max. 1

Chromatographic Profile
Limonene – 35% – 45%
Carvone – 48% – 60%
Storage – Store in well closed containers, in cool and dry storage area.