Wild Carrot

The wild carrot has stringy tap roots unlike that of the thick succulent root of the cultivated carrot. Both the wild and cultivated carrot are herbs with green stalks and leaves and white lacy flower tops with purple centers.

A genus of 22 species of hairy annuals and biennials, distributed through temperate regions in both hemispheres. Only D. carota is common in cultivation, being grown as a vegetable, medicinal herb, and fodder crop. It is a coastal plant and relatively easy to identify, though care should still be taken; white-flowered members of the parsley family are notoriously difficult to tell apart, and many are highly poisonous. Daucus carota has been an important vegetable crop in Europe, N Africa, and many parts of Asia since at least Classical times, and its long history of cultivation has led to the development of the subspecies sativus. The familiar, orange-fleshed carrot is eaten mainly in Europe, but Asian varieties range from orange to yellow, white, dark red, and purple, while fodder varieties are mostly larger and yellow to white. Carrots are versatile vegetables, easily digested, and nutritious; they contain large amounts of sugar and carotene (a source of vitamin A). Including carrots regularly in the diet improves vision, especially at night.

Also known as Queen Anne's Lace, wild carrot, with its large, umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers and small, pale carrotlike root, is a very common weed in the southeastern United States. Wild carrot is thought to be descended from carrots that somehow "escaped" from the gardens of early North American settlers. Juice taken from the root has long been used as a diuretic, while the seeds have been eaten to calm indigestion and flatulence.

Variable biennial with pinnately divided, fern-like leaves. Tiny white flowers are borne in umbels, to 7cm (3in) across, in summer, characteristically purple-flushed toward the center, and subtended by conspicuous hairy bracts. Fruits are ovoid, with spiny ridges.


Common Name:
Wild Carrot
Other Names:
Bee's Nest, Bird's Nest, Carrot, Queen Anne's Lace
Botanical Name:
Daucus carota
Genus:
Daucus
Family:
Apiaceae
Native Location:
Europe, India, North America, North Africa, France, temperate Asia
Cultivation:
Well-drained, fertile, alkaline soil in sun or partial shade. Carrot rust fly may damage the roots. Virus disease may cause chlorosis and twisting of the leaf stalks.
Propagation:
By seed sown in spring, summer, or autumn.
Harvest:
Whole plants (D. carota) are cut in summer and dried for infusions and liquid extracts. Seeds are collected when ripe and dried for use in infusions or distilled for oil. Roots of subsp. sativa are harvested when young or mature.
Height:
30cm-1m (1-3ft)
Width:
15-60cm (6-24in)
Hardiness:
Z3-10
Extraction:
Steam Distillation
Parts Used:
Whole plant, Seeds, Root, Oil
Color and Odor:
The essential oil is clear with a hint of yellow; it has an herby, woody and earthly aroma.
Background:
The carrot has long been cultivated for its fleshy orange tap root. It is an important source of Vitamin A which is good for the eyesight. Another beneficial essential oil can be extracted from the root.
Properties:
Tonic, carminative, diuretic, hepatic, emmenogogic, cytophylactic, stimulant.
An aromatic herb that acts as a diuretic, soothes the digestive tract, and stimulates the uterus.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for urinary stones, cystitis, gout (whole plant); edema, flatulent indigestion, menstrual problems (seeds). Remedies based on seeds are not prescribed during pregnancy.
To treat gout, indigestion, and heart disease; as a nerve tonic and aphrodisiac.
Economic Uses:
Oil has an orris-like scent and is used in anti-wrinkle creams and perfumery.
Uses:
  • Digestive Sytem—Carrot has a tonic action on the liver and gall-bladder and is used for treating jaundice.
  • Urinary System—Promotes the flow of urine, beneficial for cystitis.
  • Reproductive Sytem—Promotes menstruation, useful for scanty or absent periods. Also good for menstrual cramps.
  • Skin—Restores tone and elasticity to skin and helps to reduce wrinkles. Good for blemished skin and will benefit both dry and oily skin types. Carrot improves complexion and confers a more youthful appearance.
  • Emotions—Strengthens the mind and helps with doubt and confusion. Also useful for over-excitability and nervousness.
Blends:
DIGESTIVE URINARY REPRODUCTIVE
Carrot 5 Carrot 5 Carrot 6
Cardamon 4 Juniper 4 Juniper 4
Ginger 3 Sandalwood 3 Geranium 3

SKIN EMOTION
Carrot 3 Carrot 4
Frankincense 2 Rosewood 4
Neroli 2 Orange 3
Possible Side Effects:
Wild carrot's side effects include lowered blood pressure, drowsiness, nausea, and allergic reactions (through skin contact).
Drug Interactions:
Taking wild carrot with these drugs may increase skin sensitivity to sunlight:
Bumetanide, (Bumex, Burinex)
Celecoxib, (Celebrex)
Ciprofloxacin, (Cipro, Ciloxan)
Doxycycline, (Apo-Doxy, Vibramycin)
Enalapril, (Vasotec)
Etodolac, (Lodine, Utradol)
Fluphenazine, (Modecate, Prolixin)
Fosinopril, (Monopril)
Furosemide, (Apo-Furosemide, Lasix)
Gatifloxacin, (Tequin, Zymar)
Hydrochlorothiazide, (Apo-Hydro, Microzide)
Ibuprofen, (Advil, Motrin)
Indomethacin, (Indocin, Novo-Methacin)
Ketoprofen, (Orudis, Rhodis)
Ketorolac, (Acular, Toradol)
Lansoprazole, (Prevacid)
Levofloxacin, (Levaquin, Quixin)
Lisinopril, (Prinivil, Zestril)
Loratadine, (Alavert, Claritin)
Methotrexate, (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
Naproxen, (Aleve, Naprosyn)
Nortriptyline, (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)
Ofloxacin, (Floxin, Ocuflox)
Omeprazole, (Losec, Prilosec)
Phenytoin, (Dilantin, Phenytek)
Piroxicam, (Feldene, Nu-Pirox)
Prochlorperazine, (Compazine, Compro)
Quinapril, (Accupril)
Risperidone, (Risperdal)
Rofecoxib, (Vioxx)
Tetracycline, (Novo-Tetra, Sumycin)
Taking wild carrot with these drugs may increase the risk of hypotension (excessively low blood pressure):
Acebutolol, (Novo-Acebutolol, Sectral)
Acetazolamide, (Apo-Acetazolamide, Diamox Sequels)
Amiloride, (Midamor)
Amlodipine, (Norvasc)
Atenolol, (Apo-Atenol, Tenormin)
Azosemide, (Diat)
Benazepril, (Lotensin)
Betaxolol, (Betoptic S, Kerlone)
Bisoprolol, (Monocor, Zebeta)
Bumetanide, (Bumex, Burinex)
Candesartan, (Atacand)
Captopril, (Capoten, Novo-Captopril)
Carteolol, (Cartrol, Ocupress)
Carvedilol, (Coreg)
Chlorothiazide, (Diuril)
Chlorthalidone, (Apo-Chlorthalidone, Thalitone)
Clonidine, (Catapres, Duraclon)
Diazoxide, (Hyperstat, Proglycem)
Diltiazem, (Cardizem, Tiazac)
Doxazosin, (Alti-Doxazosin, Cardura)
Eplerenone, (Inspra)
Eprosartan, (Teveten)
Esmolol, (Brevibloc)
Ethacrynic Acid, (Edecrin)
Etozolin, (Elkapin)
Felodipine, (Plendil, Renedil)
Fenoldopam, (Corlopam)
Fosinopril, (Monopril)
Furosemide, (Apo-Furosemide, Lasix)
Guanabenz, (Wytensin)
Guanadrel, (Hylorel)
Guanfacine, (Tenex)
Hydralazine, (Apresoline, Novo-Hylazin)
Hydrochlorothiazide, (Apo-Hydro, Microzide)
Hydrochlorothiazide and Triamterene, (Dyazide, Maxzide)
Hydroflumethiazide, (Diucardin, Saluron)
Indapamide, (Lozol, Nu-Indapamide)
Irbesartan, (Avapro)
Isradipine, (DynaCirc)
Labetalol, (Normodyne, Trandate)
Lisinopril, (Prinivil, Zestril)
Losartan, (Cozaar)
Mannitol, (Osmitrol, Resectisol)
Mecamylamine, (Inversine)
Mefruside, (Baycaron)
Methazolamide, (Apo-Methazolamide, Neptazane)
Methyclothiazide, (Aquatensen, Enduron)
Methyldopa, (Apo-Methyldopa, Nu-Medopa)
Metolazone, (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn)
Metoprolol, (Betaloc, Lopressor)
Minoxidil, (Loniten, Rogaine)
Moexipril, (Univasc)
Nadolol, (Apo-Nadol, Corgard)
Nicardipine, (Cardene)
Nifedipine, (Adalat CC, Procardia)
Nisoldipine, (Sular)
Nitroglycerin, (Minitran, Nitro-Dur)
Nitroprusside, (Nipride, Nitropress)
Olmesartan, (Benicar)
Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide, (Benicar HCT)
Oxprenolol, (Slow-Trasicor, Trasicor)
Perindopril Erbumine, (Aceon, Coversyl)
Phenoxybenzamine, (Dibenzyline)
Phentolamine, (Regitine, Rogitine)
Pindolol, (Apo-Pindol, Novo-Pindol)
Polythiazide, (Renese)
Prazosin, (Minipress, Nu-Prazo)
Propranolol, (Inderal, InnoPran XL)
Quinapril, (Accupril)
Ramipril, (Altace)
Reserpine, (Reserpine)
Spironolactone, (Aldactone, Novo-Spiroton)
Telmisartan, (Micardis)
Terazosin, (Alti-Terazosin, Hytrin)
Timolol, (Betimol, Timoptic)
Torsemide, (Demadex)
Trandolapril, (Mavik)
Triamterene, (Dyrenium)
Trichlormethiazide, (Metatensin, Naqua)
Urea, (Amino-Cerv, UltraMide)
Valsartan, (Diovan)
Verapamil, (Calan, Isoptin SR)
Xipamide, (Diurexan, Lumitens)
Taking wild carrot with these drugs may increase the risk of excessive sedation and mental depression and impairment:
Acetaminophen and Codeine, (Capital and Codeine, Tylenol with Codeine)
Alfentanil, (Alfenta)
Alprazolam, (Apo-Alpraz, Xanax)
Amobarbital, (Amytal)
Amobarbital and Secobarbital, (Tuinal)
Aspirin and Codeine, (Coryphen Codeine)
Belladonna and Opium, (B&O Supprettes)
Bromazepam, (Apo-Bromazepam, Gen-Bromazepam)
Brotizolam, (Lendorm, Sintonal)
Buprenorphine, (Buprenex, Subutex)
Buprenorphine and Naloxone, (Suboxone)
Butabarbital, (Butisol Sodium)
Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine, (Esgic, Fioricet)
Butalbital, Aspirin, and Caffeine, (Fiorinal)
Butorphanol, (Apo-Butorphanol, Stadol)
Chloral Hydrate, (Aquachloral Supprettes, Somnote)
Chlordiazepoxide, (Apo-Chlordiazepoxide, Librium)
Clobazam, (Alti-Clobazam, Frisium)
Clonazepam, (Klonopin, Rivotril)
Clorazepate, (Tranxene, T-Tab)
Codeine, (Codeine Contin)
Dexmedetomidine, (Precedex)
Diazepam, (Apo-Diazepam, Valium)
Dihydrocodeine, Aspirin, and Caffeine, (Synalgos-DC)
Diphenhydramine, (Benadryl Allergy, Nytol)
Estazolam, (ProSom)
Fentanyl, (Actiq, Duragesic)
Flurazepam, (Apo-Flurazepam, Dalmane)
Glutethimide, (Glutethimide)
Haloperidol, (Haldol, Novo-Peridol)
Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen, (Vicodin, Zydone)
Hydrocodone and Aspirin, (Damason-P)
Hydrocodone and Ibuprofen, (Vicoprofen)
Hydromorphone, (Dilaudid, PMS-Hydromorphone)
Hydroxyzine, (Atarax, Vistaril)
Levomethadyl Acetate Hydrochloride, (Levomethadyl Acetate Hydrochloride)
Levorphanol, (LevoDromoran)
Loprazolam, (Dormonoct, Havlane)
Lorazepam, (Ativan, Nu-Loraz)
Meperidine, (Demerol, Meperitab)
Meperidine and Promethazine, (Meperidine and Promethazine)
Mephobarbital, (Mebaral)
Methadone, (Dolophine, Methadose)
Methohexital, (Brevital, Brevital Sodium)
Midazolam, (Apo-Midazolam, Versed)
Morphine Sulfate, (Kadian, MS Contin)
Nalbuphine, (Nubain)
Opium Tincture, (Opium Tincture)
Oxycodone, (OxyContin, Roxicodone)
Oxycodone and Acetaminophen, (Endocet, Percocet)
Oxycodone and Aspirin, (Endodan, Percodan)
Oxymorphone, (Numorphan)
Paregoric, (Paregoric)
Pentazocine, (Talwin)
Pentobarbital, (Nebutal)
Phenobarbital, (Luminal Sodium, PMS-Phenobarbital)
Phenoperidine, (Phenoperidine)
Prazepam, (Prazepam)
Primidone, (Apo-Primidone, Mysoline)
Promethazine, (Phenergan)
Propofol, (Diprivan)
Propoxyphene, (Darvon, Darvon-N)
Propoxyphene and Acetaminophen, (Darvocet-N 50, Darvocet-N 100)
Propoxyphene, Aspirin, and Caffeine, (Darvon Compound)
Quazepam, (Doral)
Remifentanil, (Ultiva)
Secobarbital, (Seconal)
Sodium Oxybate, (Xyrem)
Sufentanil, (Sufenta)
S-Zopiclone, (Lunesta)
Temazepam, (Novo-Temazepam, Restoril)
Tetrazepam, (Mobiforton, Musapam)
Thiopental, (Pentothal)
Triazolam, (Apo-Triazo, Halcion)
Zaleplon, (Sonata, Stamoc)
Zolpidem, (Ambien)
Zopiclone, (Alti-Zopiclone, Gen-Zopiclone)
Taking wild carrot with these drugs may increase the risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity:
Digitalis, (Digitek, Lanoxin)
Disease Effects:
May worsen existing kidney irritation or inflammation.
Supplement Interactions:
May enhance therapeutic and adverse effects of herbs and supplements that have sedative properties, such as 5-HTP, Kava-Kava, St. John's Wort, and Valerian.
Bibliography:
Aromatherapy Blends and recipes by Franzesca Watson Copyright © 1995 Thorsons, Harper Parker Publishing Inc. Pp 76-77
The Encyclopedia or Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 pg 191
The Essential Herb-Drug Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.483-487