Last update Feb. 28, 2026

Caraway

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Plant from the apiaceae family from which the fruit and its oil is used for medicinal purposes and as a food condiment. Its essential oil contains carvone, limonene and other terpenes (Fitoterapia.net, EMA 2015, Johri 2011). Its traditional use is as a carminative, antiflatulent and antispasmodic, even in very young infants to try to treat colic (Abdulrazzaq 2009, Stapleton 1995).

Carvone is excreted in milk in clinically insignificant amounts. (Denzer 2015, Hausner 2010 and 2008)

A plant devoid of toxicity at usual doses (Kazemipoor 2014), although cases of hypothyroidism induced by its consumption have been described. (Naghibi 2015)

Given its lack of toxicity at correct doses, moderate consumption during breastfeeding would have little or no risk.

Although in some cultures it is traditionally used to increase milk production (Eid 2020, Alachkar 2011), in others it is used to decrease excessive breast milk production (Kabiri 2017). There is no methodologically sound evidence of its power as a galactagogue​​​​​​​ (Özalkaya​​​​​​​ 2018, Muresan 2011, Kopec 1999). The best galactogogue is frequent on-demand breastfeeding with correct technique (Mannion 2012, ABM 2011). Do not use as a galactogogue without medical supervision.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Caraway is also known as


Caraway in other languages or writings:

Groups

Caraway belongs to these groups or families:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Caraway in its composition:

  • Dida Calm™
  • Nursing Tea™. Contains other elements than Caraway in its composition
  • Relaxcol™. Contains other elements than Caraway in its composition

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Theoretical Dose Carvona: 0.0002 - 0.001 mg/Kg/d

References

  1. Fitoterapia.net. Vanaclocha B, Cañigueral S. Fitoterapia.net. 1992 - - Disponible en: https://www.fitoterapia.net. Consulted on March 12, 2025 Abstract
  2. Eid AM, Jaradat N. Public Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Herbal Remedies Used During Pregnancy and Lactation in West Bank Palestine. Front Pharmacol. 2020 Feb 14;11:46. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  3. Özalkaya E, Aslandoğdu Z, Özkoral A, Topcuoğlu S, Karatekin G. Effect of a galactagogue herbal tea on breast milk production and prolactin secretion by mothers of preterm babies. Niger J Clin Pract. 2018 Jan;21(1):38-42. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. ABM: Brodribb W. ABM Clinical Protocol #9: Use of Galactogogues in Initiating or Augmenting Maternal Milk Production, Second Revision 2018. Breastfeed Med. 2018 Jun;13(5):307-314 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. Kabiri M, Kamalinejad M, Sohrabvand F, Bioos S, Babaeian M. Management of Breast Milk Oversupply in Traditional Persian Medicine. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017 Oct;22(4):1044-1050. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  6. EMA. European Union herbal monograph on Carum carvi L., fructus. Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). 2015 Full text (in our servers)
  7. Naghibi SM, Ramezani M, Ayati N, Zakavi SR. Carum induced hypothyroidism: an interesting observation and an experiment. Daru. 2015 Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  8. EMA. European Union herbal monograph on Carum carvi L., aetheroleum. Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). 2015 Full text (in our servers)
  9. Denzer MY, Kirsch F, Buettner A. Are odorant constituents of herbal tea transferred into human milk? J Agric Food Chem. 2015 Jan 14;63(1):104-11. Abstract
  10. Kazemipoor M, Radzi CW, Hajifaraji M, Cordell GA. Preliminary safety evaluation and biochemical efficacy of a Carum carvi extract: results from a randomized, triple-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2014 Abstract
  11. Mannion C, Mansell D. Breastfeeding self-efficacy and the use of prescription medication: a pilot study. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2012;2012:562704. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  12. Muresan M. Successful relactation--a case history. Breastfeed Med. 2011 Abstract
  13. Alachkar A, Jaddouh A, Elsheikh MS, Bilia AR, Vincieri FF. Traditional medicine in Syria: folk medicine in Aleppo governorate. Nat Prod Commun. 2011 Jan;6(1):79-84. Abstract
  14. ABM. Academy Of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol Committee. ABM Clinical Protocol #9: Use of galactogogues in initiating or augmenting the rate of maternal milk secretion (First Revision January 2011). Breastfeed Med. 2011 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  15. ABM. Comité de Protocolos de la Academia Médica de Lactancia Materna. ABM Protocolo Clínico #9: Uso de Galactogogos para Iniciar o aumentar la tasa de secreción de Leche Materna. Breastfeed Med. 2011 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  16. Johri RK. Cuminum cyminum and Carum carvi: An update. Pharmacogn Rev. 2011 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  17. Hausner H, Nicklaus S, Issanchou S, Mølgaard C, Møller P. Breastfeeding facilitates acceptance of a novel dietary flavour compound. Clin Nutr. 2010 Abstract
  18. Abdulrazzaq YM, Al Kendi A, Nagelkerke N. Soothing methods used to calm a baby in an Arab country. Acta Paediatr. 2009 Abstract
  19. Hausner H, Bredie WL, Mølgaard C, Petersen MA, Møller P. Differential transfer of dietary flavour compounds into human breast milk. Physiol Behav. 2008 Sep 3;95(1-2):118-24. Abstract
  20. Kopec K. Herbal medications and breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 1999 Jun;15(2):157-61. Review. No abstract available. Abstract
  21. Stapleton H. The use of herbal medicine in pregnancy and labour. Part II: Events after birth, including those affecting the health of babies. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery. 1995 Abstract

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