121 CABUM CARUI 



that those caraways which are derived from a northern or elevated 

 locality yield the most oil. In this country the oil distilled 

 from home-grown caraways is preferred, and is alone recognised 

 in the British Pharmacopoeia. Dutch oil is also regarded as 

 better than that distilled in the southern parts of Germany. 

 Oil of Caraway is nearly colourless or pale yellow when fresh, but 

 it becomes darker yellow and even brown by keeping j it has the 

 odour of the fruit, and a spicy, somewhat acrid taste. It is dex- 

 trogyrate ; its specific gravity has been variously given at from 

 0*916 to 0*946. Some recent experiments of Dragendorff render 

 it probable that oil of caraway, unlike volatile oils, as a general 

 rule, may in some cases at least, become more soluble in alcohol 

 by keeping. The experiments of Schweizer and Volckel show 

 that oil of caraway is a mixture of two liquid oils, called carvol 

 and carvene, which have different boiling points, and are separable 

 by distillation ; these two oils exist in the proportion of about 

 | of the former to \ of the latter. Carvene is a hydrocarbon ; but 

 carvol is an oxidised oil which is isomeric according to Glad- 

 stone, with the menthol or oxidised oil of spearmint, the myris- 

 ticol of nutmegs, and the carvol of DILL FKUIT ; it is also isorneric 

 with the thymol of oil of thyme. The oily liquid called carvacrol is 

 formed by the action of hydrated phosphoric acid on oil of 

 caraway and some other substances. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Both the fruit and oil possess 

 aromatic, stimulant, and stomachic properties. The fruit is often 

 used to relieve the flatulent colic of children, &c. ; but more 

 frequently as an adjunct to other medicines as a corrective or 

 flavouring agent. Oil of caraway is also employed for similar 

 purposes; it is frequently added to purgative medicines to prevent 

 griping. Caraway fruits are also used in veterinary practice 

 for similar purposes. The oily liquid termed carvacrol is said to 

 give immediate relief in toothache, when inserted into the cavity 

 of a decayed tooth. 



Oil of Caraway is also largely used .in this country in per- 

 fumery, more especially in scenting soap ; and the powdered 

 fruits are " well adapted for mixing to form sachet powder." 



