Caraway Oil
Almost always sold and studied combined with peppermint oil. That fixed combination has repeatedly beaten placebo for functional dyspepsia, though the trials are small and mostly from one manufacturer.
Where to buy
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What the science says
- Functional dyspepsia symptoms Moderate evidence
A meta-analysis of five randomised trials with 578 patients found the peppermint-plus-caraway oil combination improved global dyspepsia symptoms and epigastric pain, with a number needed to treat of about 3. The authors rated the underlying evidence as low quality because of small samples.
- Independent confirmation Moderate evidence
The 2023 Cochrane review of herbal medicines for functional dyspepsia concluded that peppermint and caraway oil probably produce a large improvement in global dyspepsia symptoms compared with placebo, its most favourable finding among 27 herbal preparations. A separate US trial of a duodenal-release caraway oil and L-menthol capsule also reported symptom relief.
- Caraway oil on its own Limited evidence
Nearly all data come from fixed combinations; there is no adequate placebo-controlled trial of caraway oil alone, so the individual contribution of caraway is unestablished.
Dosage & safety
How to take it
Interactions
With medications
- antacids, proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers
Raising stomach pH can make enteric coating dissolve early, releasing the oil in the stomach and causing heartburn. separate by at least 2 hours
- drugs metabolised by CYP3A4
Concentrated essential oils may alter their breakdown. check with a pharmacist if you take narrow-margin medication
Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.
Frequently asked questions
Does peppermint and caraway oil work for functional dyspepsia?
Peppermint plus caraway oil has moderate evidence for functional dyspepsia: a meta-analysis of five trials with 578 patients found it improved global symptoms and epigastric pain, with a number needed to treat of about 3. The 2023 Cochrane review also rated it the most favourable of 27 herbal preparations, though the trials are small and mostly from one manufacturer.
Does caraway oil work on its own?
Caraway oil alone has not been tested in an adequate placebo-controlled trial; nearly all the evidence comes from fixed combinations with peppermint oil. Caraway oil's individual contribution is unestablished, so the evidence for it alone is limited.
How much caraway oil should I take?
The Menthacarin trials used 90 mg peppermint oil plus 50 mg caraway oil twice daily in enteric- or duodenal-release capsules for 2–4 weeks. Take the caraway oil capsule about 30 minutes before meals and swallow it whole, and never swallow undiluted caraway essential oil.
Does caraway oil cause heartburn?
Heartburn, reflux and burping with a peppermint taste are the common side effects of peppermint-and-caraway oil capsules, and enteric coating reduces them. Antacids, proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers can make the coating dissolve early, so separate them from caraway oil by at least 2 hours.
Scientific references
- A Combination of Peppermint Oil and Caraway Oil for the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Non-Chinese herbal medicines for functional dyspepsia
- A Novel, Duodenal-Release Formulation of a Combination of Caraway Oil and L-Menthol for the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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