Carrot Seed essential oil information
Carrot Seed essential oil is extracted from Daucus carota of the Apiaceae family and is also known as wild carrot, European Wild Carrot, Bird’s Nest, Bishop’s Lace and Queen Anne’s lace. This is an essential oil extracted from the seeds, not to be confused with the cheaper macerated “carrot oil” made when people infuse the carrot material in a base oil.
Properties of Carrot Seed essential oil
Carrot seed essential oil oil has a sweet, dry and earthy aroma and is pale yellow in colour.
Origin of Carrot Seed essential oil
Carrot seed oil is mainly obtained from wild carrots, usually found in Europe. It is an annual or biennial herb with hairy leaves and umbels of white lacy flowers with purple centers.
The name is derived from the Greek ‘Carotos’ and the plant had great medicinal value in ancient times, especially for its carminative properties (relieves flatulence).
Extraction of Carrot Seed essential oil
The oil is extracted by steam distillation from the dried seeds, but the whole of the plant is also used for essential oil as well.
Chemical constituents of Carrot Seed essential oil
The main constituents of Carrot Seed essential oil are: Carotol, α-Pinene, Dauca – 4,8-diene, β-Caryophyllene, (E)-Dauc-8-en-4β-ol, Sabinene, Geranyl acetate, β-Bisabolene, Caryophyllene oxide, (E)-β-Farnesene, Geraniol, (E)-α-Bergamotene, Daucol, (-)-Limonene, β-Pinene, β-Myrcene, (Z)- α-Bergamotene, β-Selinene. (Mazzoni et al 1999)
Precautions regarding Carrot Seed essential oil
Carrot Seed oil has GRAS status (Generally Accepted as Safe), but certain studies show that it may interfere with the development of a baby in the womb. This essential oil should rather not be used in pregnancy or when breastfeeding.
Carrot Seed essential oil can be irritating to the skin and should be diluted appropriately before use on the skin.
Please read our page with heading: Safety with Essential Oils before using this oil.
We recommend the following book as an excellent resource regarding safety:
Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals by Robert Tisserand & Rodney Young (#ad)
Therapeutic properties of Carrot Seed oil
The therapeutic properties of carrot seed oil are antiseptic, carminative, cytophylactic, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, stimulant, tonic and vermifuge.
Uses of Carrot Seed essential oil
On the skin
As a blended massage oil or diluted in the bath, carrot seed oil can assist with muscle pains and in boosting the respiratory tract, while detoxifying the body and boosting the manufacture of red blood cells.
It has a nearly magical rejuvenating effect on the skin when blended into a cream, lotion or aqueous gel, to not only soften and smooth the skin, but to assist with cell growth and skin rejuvenation.
Carrot Seed oil is used to treat weeping sores, ulcers, itching, eczema, psoriasis, boils and vitiligo (loss of pigment in the skin).
Burners and Vaporizers
Carrot seed oil can be used in vapor therapy for relieving stress, boosting the liver, the digestive and respiratory systems, as well as for muscle pains. It does not have an over-powering smell, but this earthy smell will help to “ground” a person while fighting stress and exhaustion.
Carrot Seed essential oil is reputed to help strengthen the mucous membranes of the nose, throat and lungs, which would make it useful in treatment of respiratory ailments.
Suggested dilution rates
On the skin
Healthy adult:
Face: 0.2% to 1.5%
Body: 0.2% to 5%
Bath: 0.2% to 5%
3 to 24 months:
Do not use this oil. Avoid.
2 to 6 years:
Face: 0.25% to 0.5%
Body: 0.25% to 0.5%
Bath: o.25% to 0.5%
6 to 15 years:
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 0.5% to 3%
Bath: 0.5% to 3%
Pregnancy:
We do not recommend use of this essential oil in pregnancy. Avoid this oil when breastfeeding or pregnant.
- Certain studies show that this essential oil may interfere with the development of the baby in the womb (anti-gestational).
- When in doubt consult your doctor / medical professional before use.
- Most professionals and/or Aromatherapists will always err on the side of safety when giving advice regarding the use of essential oils and oleo resins during pregnancy – This is due to conflicting information available, or the absence of any reliable information.
- Quite a number of Aromatherapists advise that you should avoid essential oils completely while pregnant, specifically during the first trimester. This is a very safe approach but may not be necessary at al. Carrot seed is one of the oils that should be avoided though.
Breastfeeding: Avoid using while breastfeeding.
Vaporizers and Burners
Use 2 to 8 drops.
General:
- When using for the first time – Always use the lowest dilution rate and build up slowly to the maximum. Stop using all essential oils on the skin if irritation or allergy occurs.
- Any advice or instruction received from a medical professional ALWAYS supersedes recommendations or advice found on this website. When in doubt consult your doctor / medical professional.
Summary
Carrot Seed Essential Oil must be one of the most underrated essential oils in aromatherapy. It has a soft earthy smell and not only helps to relieve stress and exhaustion, but is a powerful detoxifier and liver booster, while stimulating and rejuvenating the skin in general, thereby adding elasticity to any skin.
It fights any skin problems, such as psoriasis, eczema, weeping sores, ulcers, boils and carbuncles. The formative action on the epidermal cells helps to keep wrinkles at bay and is also helpful when fighting liver spots (age spots).
In modern application, it is sometimes used for cancer patients, especially those with stomach and throat problems.
Carrot seed oil has a detoxifying effect on the liver and helps to fight jaundice, while at the same time cleaning the digestive system and the body as a whole. It is helpful for arthritis, gout, edema, rheumatism and the accumulation of toxins in muscles and joints. It strengthens the mucus membranes in the nose, throat and lungs, thus having a beneficial effect on problems such as bronchitis and influenza.
It relieves fluid retention and can be beneficial in cases of anorexia, while it revitalizes and tones the skin, helping in cases of dermatitis, eczema and rashes.
Carrot Seed essential oil blends well with
Carrot seed essential oil blends well with other oils including Bergamot, Juniper berry, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Cedarwood, Geranium, as well as all citrus and spicy oils.
){kind=link}