Monograph on Carum carvi L.

Plants have been highly valued for their healing properties in all cultures around the world. The plant is widely used in food and traditional medicine from ancient time. Carum carvi L. (C. carvi) is commonly known as spice and medicinal plant in many cultures and several studies have reported that C. carvi possesses antidiabetic, diuretic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiulcerogenic, antiproliferative and antispasmodic activities. Phytochemical analyses have revealed that the main phytochemicals in C. carvi seeds were carvone, limonene, carvacrol, carvenone, γ- terpinene, and p-cymene. In this chapter, information about C. carvi including its pharmacognosy, phytochemistry and pharmacology is provided.

Keywords: Carum carvi L., carvone, limonene, biological effects.