Caraway

Carum carvi

Mechanism

Caraway fruits contain essential oil with carvone and limonene as main components. Traditionally they are used carminatively and antispasmodically for flatulence and a feeling of fullness; the EMA/HMPC monograph classifies the use as traditionally established (well-established traditional use) for mild digestive complaints. Robust equine endpoint studies are largely lacking; use in the horse is shaped by empirical medicine and rests on transfer from human phytotherapy.

Cautions

· Essential oils dose-dependently irritant — dose moderately, crush fruits fresh
· Use with restraint during pregnancy/lactation due to lack of data
· In sport horses do a competition/withdrawal check, as it is essential-oil-containing

Sources

EMA/HMPC Carvi fructus/aetheroleumEMA/HMPC — Kümmel-Monographie (Carum carvi L., fructus et aetheroleum)

ESCOPESCOP Monographie Carvi fructus

PMID:30627923Mahboubi 2019 (J Tradit Complement Med) — Review Carum carvi karminativ/verdauungsfördernd

Equiterna Score

57/100

solid

Science4.5/10

Practical experience6/10

Safety7/10

Overall score scale

high overall75–100solid55–74limited0–54

How the Equiterna Score is built

The Equiterna Score combines three dimensions into a value of 0-100: science (40%), practical experience (30%) and safety (30%). It is transparently derived from evidence level, attributed sources (PubMed/journals), legal classification and cautions. The FEI doping status is shown separately as a competition-law note and does not enter the score. Commissions and vendor relationships have no influence on the score. In addition, the editorial safety rating caps the result: it limits the safety dimension and the overall tier (orange: at most solid). For entries rated red, no score is calculated at all. The rating never raises anything — a green rating does not lift a calculated value.

An editorial assessment of the evidence and safety situation — not a healing claim and not an individual recommendation. It does not replace veterinary advice.

Dosageapprox. 15–30 g crushed fruits/animal/day (large horse); use essential oil only strongly diluted

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusNot listed

SafetyWith caution

Evidenceemerging

Usage note

This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.

“Nothing forced can ever be beautiful.”

Xenophon · On Horsemanship (c. 365 BC)

Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is study-attributed and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.