Greek Wild Carrot Seed Essential Oil

CARROT SEED / WILD CARROT

Common name: Wild Carrot Seed

Latin name: Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Botanical family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

Method of extraction: distilled at our organically certified distillery

Plant part used to extract the oil: dry seeds

Cultivation method: wild

Area of origin: Central Macedonia, Greece

Historical notes: The word ‘carrot’ was first recorded in English circa 1530. It was borrowed from Middle French carotte, which itself originated from Late Latin ‘carōta’, from Greek ‘καρωτόν’ or ‘karōton’.

Wild carrot was known to Europeans since prehistoric times. It is thought that carrot came to Europe from Afghanistan and Persia. Greek philosopher, Theophrastus (c. 371 – c. 287 BC) mentions carrots in his ‘History of Plants’ and so does his friend and colleague from the Peripatetic School, Phaenias. Garden carrots have been selectively bread from the wild ancestor in Middle Ages. Wild carrot still grows happily in the Greek countryside.

Biochemical group: sesquiterpenols

Main chemical constituents: carotol, alpha-pinene, sabinene, dauca-4,8-diene, geranyl acetate

Colour: none

Consistency: thin

Aroma strength: strong

Perfumery note: middle

Aroma: herbaceous over rather earthy, rooty tones

Traditional Aromatherapy Uses:

• Traditionally in aromatherapy treatments Carrot seed oil is associated with the following therapeutic properties: antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antifungal, carminative, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, stimulant

Qualified aromatherapists may use Carrot seed essential oil for common complaints such as:

• skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, skin irritations, rashes,devitalised ageing skin, wrinkles, dull, pallid, tired complexion, loss of tone
• liver support – after the acute phase of hepatitis or bilious attack
• others
• How we use it:
• Skin applications:

                - For a soothing face cream - add together with our Helichrysum and Lavender essential oils to an unscented face cream andtest on a small area first

- For psoriasis and eczema – consider blending with our Blue chamomile, Helichrysum and Lavender

-For a nourishing night cream –try adding to a nourishing unscented cream in combination with our Sea fennel (Criste Marine) essential oil as well as some Lavender.

• Liver support:

• For a liver tonic/regeneration - prepare a body oil or lotion with Carrot seed oil and add some Lemon oil, Helichrysum and Blue chamomile

Please, also see our How to Use Essential Oils Safely page for more information

Safety considerations:

Tisserand and Young state that carrot seed oil may interfere with gestation and it is therefore contraindicated for pregnancy and breastfeeding.  Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, 'Essential Oil Safety' (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 233.]

Please, also see our How to Use Essential Oils Safely page for more information.

Research and studies:

• The antimicrobial activity of carrot seed oil

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4769755/

• Formulation and evaluation of carrot seed oil-based cosmetic emulsions

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29737890

• Antifungal Activity of the Carrot Seed Oil and its Major Sesquiterpene Compounds

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234072455_Antifungal_Activity_of_the_Carrot_Seed_Oil_and_its_Major_Sesquiterpene_Compounds