Carum carvi
Anticancer, antidiabetic, hormone modulator
 Caraway, which is believed to have been used for longer than any other European spice, is derived from the seeds of a biennial plant native to Europe and Asia. It is used in a variety of confectioneries, and is frequently added to cream cheese, breads and meat dishes. Infusions of caraway have traditionally been used as a digestive aid, and to relieve stomach pain, menstrual cramps, sore throats and coughs.
Important Phytochemicals
Antioxidants: Caffeic acid, camphene, carvacrol, coumaric acid, gamma terpinene, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, kaempferol, myrcene, myristicin, quercetin, scopoletin
Others: Carveol, carvone, limonene
Medicinal Properties
Cancer
Caraway contains high levels of phytochemicals which reduce the activity, by up to ten times, of a class of enzymes that convert food-derived molecules and other ingested compounds into carcinogenic toxins. The potentially destructive molecules may originate from a variety of sources, including food contamination by agricultural and food-processing chemicals or atmospheric pollutants. Suppression of these enzymes helps to prevent a variety of cancers. In addition, other compounds found in caraway have been found to specifically inhibit the proliferation of liver cancer cells.
Caraway seeds are also one of the richest sources of limonene, a phytochemical common to several spices that inhibits the initiation of cancers of the lung, breast, stomach and liver by inducing apoptosis in malignant cells. The potency of limonene may increase dramatically in the presence of other synergistic phytochemicals, confirming the benefits of ingesting spices in their whole form, and preferably with other spices.
Diabetes
Caraway is effective in lowering abnormally high glucose levels in diabetics. Raised glucose levels may be normalized after only two weeks after starting treatment with this spice, but it does not appear to affect normal blood glucose levels.
Hormone Imbalances
Caraway seeds are a rich source of phytoestrogens and are a useful addition to the diets of women who have low estrogen levels. Caraway can thus be helpful in easing menopausal symptoms.
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Key Spices 
