1777. Caraway

Description and references

Dried ripe fruit of Carum carvi L., Umbelliferae. Habit. Europe, Central and Western Asia; cultivated in England, Russia, U.S. Constit. 3-7% volatile oil; terpenes, chiefly d-limonene; 10-18% fixed oil; protein; carbohydrate; flavonoids. Composition studies: Von Schantz, Ek, Sci. Pharm. 39, 82 (1971). Review: Arctander, Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin (S. Arctander, Elizabeth, N.J., 1960) pp 124-125; of medicinal uses: N. G. Bisset, M. Wichtl, Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, English Ed. (CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1994) pp 128-129.

Derivative

Volatile oil.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 8000-42-8
Oil of caraway.

Description and references

Constit. 53-63% carvone (by vol), d-limonene.

Properties

Colorless or pale yellow liq; darkens and thickens with age. d2525 0.900-0.910. αD25 +70 to +80°. nD20 1.484-1.488. Almost insol in water. Sol in 8 vols 80% or in 1 vol 90% alcohol. Keep well closed, cool, and protected from light.

Use

Pharmaceutic aid (flavor). In manuf liqueurs and perfuming soaps; as a spice in baking.

Therapeutic Category

Carminative.