We all are familiar with the carrot that we add to our salads or juices, but have you heard of its wilder cousin — the wild carrot? The wild carrot is a plant that has been used for centuries because of its health advantages.
From removing kidney stones to alleviating problems in the bladder, you can say the wild carrot has the ability to help cure your wildest urinary tract issues.
Botanical Name and Family of the Wild Carrot
The wild carrot is botanically known as Daucus carota. It belongs to the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family and is closely related to celery, parsley, cilantro and parsnip. Wild carrot goes by many names including Bird’s nest, Bishop’s lace and Queen Anne’s lace to name a few.
What Is Wild Carrot?
Wild carrot is obtained from a flowering plant that grows in Southwest Asia, North America, Europe and Australia. The aerial parts of this plant are used in medicine, however, the root portion must not be consumed.
One of the first documented medicinal uses of this plant can be traced back to classical times, where the Roman Encyclopaedist Aulus Cornelius Celsus (25 B.C.–50 A.D.), mentioned the use of wild carrot seeds in his work “De medicine,” written almost 2,000 years ago.
Wild carrot seeds have also traditionally been used for the very same purpose as its now extinct relative, “silphion,” which was a particular plant that was extremely sought after by the Romans and was widely used as a contraceptive aid before its subsequent demise.
Since then, this plant is used all over the world to help relieve diarrhea, indigestion and intestinal gas. It is also used by women to help relieve pain in the uterus and to induce their menstrual periods.
Active Ingredients Found in Wild Carrot
The carrot seeds contain volatile oil made up the following constituents:
- Alpha-pinene
- Beta-pinene
- Limonene
- Geraniol
- Alpha-terpineol
- Beta-elemene
- Caryophyllene
- Coumarin
- Fatty acids
Research also suggests that the wild carrot has diuretic, emmenagogue, anti-lithic and carminative properties.
Health Benefits of Wild Carrot
Traditionally, the wild carrot has been used in treating bladder problems, urinary retention and other kidney problems.
It is also considered a good remedy for flatulence, ulcers and gout conditions where joint pains occur due to the accumulation of uric acid. It has been used to treat itching and eczema, liver disorders and dysmenorrhea.
Aside from the mentioned benefits, the wild carrot has also been considered useful for:
- Irregular periods
- Bronchitis
- Worm infestations
- Water retention
- Urinary system
How to Use Wild Carrot
Wild carrot seed oil is available and may be used as a flavor in candy, beverages, baked foods and meat products. It is also available as a tincture, but dosage depends on certain factors like health and age, which is why you should speak to an herbal practitioner about dosing before consuming this tincture.
Side Effects of Wild Carrot
Although wild carrot proposes many benefits, if consumed in high doses, it can cause side effects. High doses of the oil of wild carrot can cause nerve and kidney problems, skin rash and allergic reactions in persons with an allergy to celery, birch and related plants. Wild carrot oil must be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding and also by persons who suffer from high blood pressure.
The content of this Website is for informational purposes only, is general in nature and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and does not constitute professional advice. The information on this Website should not be considered as complete and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions, or their treatment. You should consult with your physician before beginning any exercise, weight loss, or health care program and/or any of the beauty treatments.
References
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