Kümmel helps against digestive disorder, irritable bowel syndrome and menstrual complaints

Kümmel helps against digestive disorder, irritable bowel syndrome and menstrual complaints

Kümmel ( carum carvi ) is an aromatic plant that resembles other members of the carrot family, with feathered leaves and tiny white flowers, which show small hard brown half-moon-shaped seeds. These seeds are the most frequently used part of the plant and they are popular as a spice when cooking. They give soups, stews and - frequent - baked goods a characteristic earthy licorice taste (they may recognize them by rye bread).

How many other aromatic plants is often used for medical purposes. In fact, caraway meals have been used around the world since ancient times to treat various medical problems in traditional healing systems, including Ayurveda. Their use as a digestive aid was for the first time in an Egyptian text about herbal knowledge from around 1550 BC. BC mentioned. In recent times, the seeds that are rich in essential oils with a dense stock of antioxidants are actively examined for their chemical composition and biological activity.

Use for health

The most frequently examined and established applications for caraway drawing digestive problems, including those associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

digestive disorders

During the Middle Ages, people consumed caraway seeds as digestive aid after a feast to avoid bloating and other digestive problems-and research has proven these advantages. In Germany, where the healing power of herbs is widely recognized, Commission E, a scientific advisory board, which substances that were previously used in traditional folk, folk and herbal medicine have recommended caraway seeds for mild, spastic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Bloating and abundance since 1990. More than 25 years later, in 2016, the University of Würzburg in Germany chose Kümmel as a medicinal plant of the year in order to emphasize its scientific importance as effective medicine. ((Link removed))

caraway seeds belongs to a class of herbs that are referred to as carminativa (also known as aromatic digestive or aromatic bitter substances). These plants are helpful in relieving gastrointestinal complaints. It was found that the fleeting oils of this plant group, including Carvol and Carven, calm down the muscles of the digestive tract, relieve cramps and contribute to driving gas.

While caraway seeds is effective, it tends to provide more relief in combination with peppermint and other herbs. For example, in a review of 17 randomized clinical studies, nine peppermint and caraway seeds reported up to 95 percent of patients about improving digestive disorders. In a multicenter double-blind study, people with digestive disorders had capsules with peppermint and caraway oil or placebo twice a day in the morning and evening. The group, which took the peppermint-melting oil preparation, reported 62% to 26% about significant improvements in abdominal pain and complaint compared to the placebo group. (Source 1, source 2)

Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study with the combination oil showed a stronger reduction in pain intensity (40% compared to 22% in placebo) and pressure, heavy and full-time feelings (44% compared to 22% in placebo). With regard to the global improvement in symptoms, people who received the combination oil stated an average answer from "greatly improved", while those who received the placebo reported a result of "minimally improved". Another study found that a combination with peppermint, caraway, fennel and wormwood was useful to reduce in gas and cramps in people with digestive disorders, while a combination of caraway seeds with herbs anis and fennel was shown to reduce flatulence and light abdominal cramps, especially in children. (Source 1, source 2)

irritable bowel syndrome

caraway seeds was also successfully used in combination with peppermint oil in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes a number of symptoms, including flatulence, gas, abdominal pain and diarrhea or constipation. The combination of 90 mg peppermint oil plus 50 mg of cumin oil in gastric-resistant capsules that were taken three times a day led to a significant reduction in IBS symptoms in a double-blind study. (Enteric coating protects the oil from gastric acid and vice versa.) In a similar attempt, capsules that were not entirely coated were as effective as gastrointestinal capsules. The same combination is cheap compared to the medication Cisaprid (Propulsid), which has now been taken from the market, when reducing the symptoms of IBS. (Source 1, (link removed))

Caraway seeds seems to be helpful for IBS even with topical use. In a study, participants with diarrhea-dominant IBS have a hot envelope with caraway oil or hot or cold placebo envelopes for three weeks. Almost 52% of the people who used caraway packs stated that adequate relief compared with 24% to 26% in placebop packing. ((Link removed))

To try this at home, you can apply caraway oil on your stomach, cover it with a damp and a dry towel and then place a heating pillow on top.

other possible advantages

Although other alleged advantages of caraway seeds are examined, a large part of it is temporarily carried out on animals and still has to be replicated in humans. A potentially exciting application is the reduction in cholesterol. A study of diabetic rats showed that caraway seeds reduced the blood sugar and cholesterol , and another study showed significant cholesterol reduction in normal and diabetic rats. However, further examinations are required before caraway can be recommended for this use. ((Link removed), source 2)

In the past, women have used caraway oil to alleviate menstrual complaints, and its antispasmodic effects can prove to be helpful when calming the muscles of the uterus.

Selection, preparation and storage

Kümmel are available in most grocery stores. Caraway preparations are widespread and can also be bought in many natural food stores and in shops specializing in nutritional supplements.

Use two to three teaspoons of freshly shredded caraway seeds to prepare a tea cooking water. Let it steep for 10 to 20 minutes and then strain. Drink it up to three times a day to support the digestion and relieve gas or menstrual complaints.

Homemade tinctures of the extracted herb, half to a teaspoon, can also be taken three times a day. A tincture is a concentrated liquid herbal extract that is usually produced by soaking herbs and other parts of the plant in alcohol for weeks to extract the active components.

Follow the instructions in the pack during commercial preparations. A popular over -the -counter remedy, Iberogast, contains caraway and peppermint as two of its nine active ingredients. Iberogast (known in research articles known as STW 5) has been used for over 50 years and there are many research results that show its usefulness in relieving digestive disorders and IBs. ((Link removed))

It is important to note that dietary supplements have not been tested for safety and dietary supplements are largely unregulated. In some cases, the product can deliver doses that deviate from the specified amount for each herb. In other cases, the product can be contaminated with other substances such as metals. The safety of nutritional supplements in children and people with diseases or when taking medication has not been proven.

Possible side effects

caraway seeds was well tolerated in therapeutic doses and showed no toxic effects in humans. That means there are some things to consider before using it:

Caraway oil is not recommended for people under the age of 18 due to inadequate data, but can be used topically as an anti-icon and carmination for children or toddlers. ((Link removed))

Women use caraway traditional to increase the flow of breast milk. Due to the lack of data, however, the use is not recommended during breastfeeding. Pregnant women should also exercise caution, since caraway seeds were used to promote menstruation.

Since caraway seeds can reduce blood sugar, people with diabetes should be careful if they consume large amounts of it. In view of the potential of caraway seeds to influence the blood sugar level, it is also important not to consume caraway seeds at least two weeks before the operation. ((Link removed))

If you are considering the use of caraway preparations to treat a certain health, you should consult your doctor before starting with the supplementation. The self -treatment of a chronic disease with caraway preparations and the avoidance or delay in standard care can have serious health consequences.