- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Europe, Asia (west), Africa (north)
- Sanskrit
- Garijara
- Other names
- Wortel, Wilde peen
Europe · Food · № 259
Daucus carota
Food · Europe
Carrot
Daucus carota
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, tonic, carminative; expels kidney and bladder stones, relieves lower back pain from the kidneys, reduces oedema, restores the bladder, stimulates digestion; seed traditionally as a contraceptive.
Safety notes
Do not take the oil internally yourself. Not in pregnancy. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (3)
- Western herbalism: Do not take the oil internally yourself. Not in pregnancy.
- Chinese materia medica: Slightly toxic; have worms treated by a doctor.
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: Looks like deadly water hemlock: never gather a wild umbellifer yourself.
Preparation
Decoction: 2 tsp root or seed per cup, 8–10 min covered, 1–2 cups a day; tea: 1 tsp per cup, 5–10 min, 1–2 cups a day; tincture 5–30 drops twice a day.
Use in traditions
The wild carrot is the ancestor of the cultivated carrot; orange carrots were first grown in the Netherlands in the 17th century. In Western herbalism the seed of the wild carrot is used as a diuretic. In Ayurveda (garijara) carrots are eaten for digestive complaints and weak eyesight. Sanskrit name: Garijara. In herbal magic associated with fertility, health and vital energy.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Stimulating, diuretic, tonic, carminative; expels kidney and bladder stones, relieves lower back pain from the kidneys, reduces oedema, restores the bladder, stimulates digestion; seed traditionally as a contraceptive.
Preparation and amount
Decoction: 2 tsp root or seed per cup, 8–10 min covered, 1–2 cups a day; tea: 1 tsp per cup, 5–10 min, 1–2 cups a day; tincture 5–30 drops twice a day.
Caution: Do not take the oil internally yourself. Not in pregnancy.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Beneficial for the kidneys and in oedema; seeds aromatic, stimulating, carminative, aphrodisiac, strengthen the nerves; root purifies the blood, for chronic diarrhoea and jaundice; seeds abortifacient.
Preparation and amount
Tea 14–28 ml; extract 5–30 drops; seed powder 2–3 g; decoction of the root; seeds not in pregnancy.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- bitter, pungent, neutral, slightly toxic
- Meridians
- not mentioned
Attributed effects
The seed of wild carrot (he shi) was used against intestinal worms and pain.
Preparation and amount
Deliberately no dosage is given here: only under the supervision of a qualified therapist.
Caution: Slightly toxic; have worms treated by a doctor.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
For being unable to pass water and for a blood disorder with paleness and pimples.
Preparation and amount
Boil the root of wild carrot in plenty of water.
Caution: Looks like deadly water hemlock: never gather a wild umbellifer yourself.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Fertility, health, vital energy.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Preparation and amount
Carrot-coriander-orange soup.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)DecoctionTincturePowder and kitchen