Wild Carrot – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Thursday, August 24, 2017 by Earl Garcia

Wild carrots, more commonly known as Queen Anne’s lace, is the wild progenitor of the modern day cultivated carrot. The plant is a perennial herb that is native to Southern Europe and has been naturalized across the U.S. and Canada. The seeds of the wild carrot plant are used in traditional medicine. However, an article posted on the Annie’s Remedy website noted that wild carrots are not readily available commercially, and may take seasoned gardeners to grow this herb.

List of known nutrients

According to an Alternative Nature Online Herbal article, wild carrots contain an extensive number of potent components that promote the body’s overall well being. These constituents include:

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
Histidine
Kaempferol
Lecithin
Limonene
Linoleic Acid
Lithium
Lupeol
Lutein
Luteolin
Lycopene
Magnesium
Manganese
Methionine
Myrcene
Myricetin
Myristicin
Niacin
Oleic Acid
Pantothenic Acid
Pectin
Phenylalanine
Potassium
Psoralen
Quercetin
Scopoletin
Stigmasterol
Terpinen-4-ol
Thiamin
Tryptophan
Tyrosine
Umbelliferone
Xanthotoxin

Medicinal uses for wild carrot

Wild carrots are sought-after for their strong diuretic effects the promote kidney health. The plants are known to flush out excess water and prevent the onset of kidney and bladder stones. The plants also contain carmitative properties that soothe the digestive tract and help alleviate various digestive system issues such as excessive gas, diarrhea, and indigestion. According to the OM Times website, oils extracted from wild carrot seeds work well against these conditions. Likewise, wild carrots can be taken to alleviate muscle cramps and stimulate appetite.

Skin diseases are no match for wild carrots as well. Wild carrot leaves are found to effectively treat skin wounds, while the seeds are shown to contain potent antioxidant and antibacterial properties that fend off wrinkles, age spots, rashes, and dry skin. Wild carrot is also known to effectively cleanse the liver and promote total detoxification.

Aside from this, the leaves are also known to contain porphyrin. An Agro Web entry reveals that the porphyrin compound stimulate the pituitary glands and facilitate sex hormone production, which subsequently leads to uterine stimulation. This makes the herb an ideal remedy to induce labor.

Wild carrots maybe used to fight stress as well. Essential oils can be added to bath water to relieve stress, relax, and promote vitality. Likewise, the herb has long been used for the treatment of leukemia and cancer.

Body systems supported by wild carrot

Wild carrots help eliminate excess water and maintain healthy bladder and kidneys. The herb is also beneficial in promoting digestive health and preventing any related condition. Likewise, the plant helps facilitate female sex hormone production and uterine stimulation. Wild carrots also reduce stress and promote brain health. The herb maintains healthy skin as well.

Ways to use wild carrot

The roots of wild carrot can be cooked in the same manner as regular carrots. Just as the roots, wild carrot’s flowers and small, eye-shaped fruits are edible. The flowers and fruits give off a peppery scent with hints of coriander and carrot. The fruits can be dried and used as seasoning. Once dried, the fruits slightly loose its distinct aroma, but grinding them will bring back the strong, pungent scent. Ground wild carrot fruits can be sprinkled on top of carrot cake or creme brulee, or tossed into salads. According to the Food 52 website, ground wild carrot fruits can also be infused in cocktails such as cognac apéritif.