Cultivation
Wild Carrot is easy to grow, it prefers a sunny position and
a well-drained neutral to alkaline soil. Considered an obnoxious weed by
some, it can spread very quickly. In its second year, from a taproot (the
carrot) stems grows to a height of two to four feet or more, they are
erect and branched, both stems and leaves are covered with short coarse
hairs. The leaves are very finely divided-tri-pinnate, alternate, and
embrace the stem with a sheathing base. The two to four inch "flower" is
actually a compound of terminal umbels, made up of many small white
flowers. The central flower of the Umbelliferae is often purple. A ring of finely-divided
and leaf-like bracts grows at the point where the umbel meets the stem. Blooming from June
to August, but often continues to bloom flowers much longer. Its root is small and spindle
shaped, whitish, slender and hard, (tender when young), but soon gets tough, with a strong
aromatic smell. Harvest entire plant in July or when flowers bloom, and dry for later herb
use. Collect edible roots and shoots in spring when tender. Gather seed in fall.
Properties
Wild Carrot is edible and
medicinal, root is edible cooked or raw, flower clusters can be french-fried for a
carrot-flavored, quite attractive dish. The aromatic seed is used as a flavoring in stews
and soups. Used for centuries as an alternative medicine.
This
long list of chemical constituents and their activities, contained in Wild Carrot is
brought to you courtesy of Dr. James A. Duke and his wonderful website. Acetone,
acetyl-choline, alpha-linolenic-acid, alpha-pinene, alpha-tocopherol, apigenin,
arachidonic-acid, arginine, asarone, ascorbic-acid, bergapten, beta-carotene,
beta-sitosterol, caffeic-acid, camphor, chlorogenic-acid, chlorophyll, chrysin,
citral,
citric-acid, coumarin, elemicin, esculetin, ethanol, eugenol, falcarinol,
ferulic-acid, folacin, formic-acid, fructose, gamma-linolenic-acid, geraniol, glutamine,
glycine, hcn, histidine, kaempferol, lecithin, limonene, linoleic-acid, lithium,
lupeol, lutein, luteolin, lycopene, magnesium, manganese, methionine, mufa,
myrcene, myricetin, myristicin, niacin, oleic-acid, pantothenic-acid, pectin,
phenylalanine, potassium, psoralen, quercetin, scopoletin, stigmasterol, sucrose, terpinen-4-ol, thiamin,
tryptophan, tyrosine, umbelliferone, xanthotoxin, and a slew of other Vitamins and
minerals. These constituents are known to have these activities, Analgesic, Anti-arthritic,
Antidepressant, Anti-psychotic, Anti-schizophrenic, Antidote, Anti-inflammatory,
Antibacterial, Anticonvulsant, Anti-diabetic, Anti-estrogenic, Anti-flu, Antihistaminic,
Antioxidant, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Anti-epileptic, Anti-anxiety, Anti-stress,
Ant-PMS, Anti-hangover, Antiviral, Cancer-Preventive, Expectorant, Fungistat,
Immunostimulant,
MAO-Inhibitor, Sedative, Tranquilizer, Aphrodisiac, Sweetener, Pituitary-Stimulant, and
more. Ongoing studies are proving this to be a very valuable plant, useful in many areas
of alternative medicine, a few are Alzheimer's, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's
disease, Infertility, Asthma-preventive, most types of cancer, Diabetes, Leukemia, HIV,
Spina-bifida, Migraine headache, obesity, and much more, even the common cold. Used as a
medicinal herb for thousands of years as an anthelmintic, carminative,
contraceptive, deobstruent, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, ophthalmic, and
stimulant.
A medicinal infusion is used in the treatment of various complaints including
digestive disorders, (soothes the digestive tract), kidney and bladder diseases and in the
treatment of dropsy, it supports the liver, stimulates the flow of urine and the removal
of waste by the kidneys. A wonderfully cleansing medicinal herb, an infusion of the leaves
has been used to counter cystitis and kidney stone formation, and to diminish stones that
have already formed. The seeds can be used as a settling carminative agent for the relief
of flatulence and colic.
Wild Carrot leaves contain significant amounts of
porphyrins,
which stimulate the pituitary gland and lead to the release of increased levels of sex
hormones, and stimulates the uterus. The plant is also used to encourage delayed
menstruation, can induce uterine contractions and so should not be used by pregnant women.
The seed is a traditional 'morning after' contraceptive and there is some evidence to
uphold this belief. An essential oil obtained from the seed has also been used
cosmetically in anti-wrinkle creams. A strong decoction of the seeds and root make a very
good insecticide.
Folklore
The name 'Carrot' is Celtic, and means
'red of color,' and Daucus from the Greek dais to burn, signifying its pungent and
stimulating qualities. An Old English superstition is that the small purple flower in the
center of the Wild Carrot was of benefit in curing epilepsy.
Recipe
"Medicinal" tea: To 1 OZ. of dried herb add 1 pint of
boiling water steep l0-l5 min. drink three times a day.
Article by Deb Jackson & Karen
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