Carrot seed, Daucus carota
Daucus carota
Wild Carrot, Queen Anne’s Lace, Bird’s Nest
Ombelliferae
History and Origin
Daucus carota, originally from Eurasia, is present in undulating lands of South-Western Quebec. It doesn’t reach further North because of the drop in temperatures. Wild carrot is a pubescent herbaceous plant with umbels of white flowers. In Native herbalism, an infusion of the full-blooming blossoms is taken for diabetes (Delaware). The decoction of the roots is taken by men to treat blood disorders, pimples, paleness and loss of appetite. In women, it is used to treat fallen womb. Besides, the decoction is used for urine stoppage (Iroquois).
| pH |
3,8-4 |
| Aroma and Taste |
Warm, earthy, almost sweet in a bitter-chocolate kind of way. A comforting, human-type, musky aroma that appeals to men and women alike. The taste is on the dry side but with the same earthy warmth found in the scent, particularly appealing and complex. |
| Stability and Shelf Life |
Very stable; should be good for two years or more, although some reduction in aroma intensity will be evident before that time. |
| Properties and Applications |
Wild carrot seed will cleanse and support the liver, gallbladder, and kidneys, being mildly diuretic and specific to these organs. Use as part of a detoxification or cleanse; combine with clay to clean the bowels and use as part of an illness recovery, especially after viral infections or gastrointestinal complaints. Carrot also makes a good addition to colonics, being beneficial to the overall flora balance and healing and calming irritations in the smooth muscle tissue.
It soothes skin rash, inflammation, and damaged skin; is calming for eczema and psoriasis; and is wonderful combined with yarrow, both for the synergy of the properties and for carrot’s ability to mask yarrow’s odor.
Carrot seed is healing to the face after extractions, dermal abrasions, or peels and promotes the growth of healthy new skin cells. An overall tonic and restorative, carrot seed can be used to help the body adapt to the changes of the seasons, perhaps by virtue of the fact that it comes from a seed and so is specifically attuned to the rhythms of the earth’s cycles. Delicious in soups, juices – especially vegetable juice – salad dressings, and sauces. |
References
Hydrosols, The Next Aromatherapy (Suzanne Catty), The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, La Flore Laurentienne, Native American Ethnobotany and the personal notes of Lucie Mainguy.
Discharge
Aliksir strongly recommends that you consult with a physician or aromatherapist. It is important to inform yourself concerning contraindications or incompatibilities with other substances. Hydrosols are powerful, and they must be used according to the physiological doses.