Daucus Carota Seeds

The delicate white flowers of daucus carota are usually seen in the roadside fields of the Eastern U.S. The overall appearance of the flower is white or near to white, but the central floret is purple rather than white. It is said that Queen Anne pricked her finger and shed a drop of blood on the plant. The young roots of daucus carota are white, edible and taste exactly like cultivated carrots, hence the plant got the name 'Wild Carrot'. But the roots quickly become too woody to consume.

Daucus Carota Facts

• Daucus carota belongs to the family Apiaceae. Apium family is the celery family.
• Daucus is the genus name while carota is the species name. It is commonly known as queen Anne's lace.
• These plants can grow up to a height of 24-36 in. (60-90 cm).
• While planting, the spacing between the plants should be 9-12 in. (22-30 cm).
• The plants grow well if the climate is sunny. They also grow well in partial shade.
• The fruit of the plant is small, oval, somewhat compressed and pale dull-brown in color.
• The plant shows herbaceous foliage.
• Neutral to alkaline soil pH is necessary for the good growth of the plant.
• It is a non patented plant.
• Daucus carota seeds are allowed to dry in the seed-heads on plants. Then only they are removed and collected.
• The plant can grow from seeds or by direct plantation in fall.
• The life cycle of the plant can be described as 'biennial' which means that the plant has a life cycle that takes two seasons from germination to death to complete. Flowering biennials usually bloom and fruit in the second season.

Daucus Carota Uses

• Daucus carota seeds are being used for birth control, since 2000 years. A teaspoon of crushed seeds can be considered as an effective oral contraceptive. This use is confirmed by the researches conducted on mice. It has been studied and proved that the seeds block progesterone synthesis.
• Carrot plays an important role in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, dyspepsia, gout and heart disease. The roots are also used to treat tumors, cancerous ulcers, cancerous wounds, tumors of the testicles, mammary carcinoma and skin cancer.
• The seeds are used as aromatic, carminative (flatus-relieving), emmenagogue (helping menstruation) and stimulant. The seeds work great for dropsy, chronic dysentery, kidney ailments and worms.
• The juice of the root is also helpful as a medicine. It is applied to carcinomatous ulcers of the neck and uterus, cancer of the bowels and stomach cancer. Scraped roots are used for curing ulcers.
• The seeds of this plant exhibit bactericidal properties. They help prevent any kind of infection by curbing the growth or action of microorganisms.
• The seeds show diuretic effects. Body can easily get rid of toxins as there is increased flow of urine.
• The seeds are considered as hypotensive, which can lower the blood pressure.
• These seeds are beneficial as aphrodisiac, as nervine tonic and for relieving uterine pain.
• As the seeds are diuretic and as they enhance the process of elimination of uric acid, they are included in gout diet.
• The roots of this plant act as cooling or soothing agent and are used in infusion for threadworm.
• It is believed that tea made from daucus carota helps maintain low blood sugar levels in humans.
• Daucus carota seeds are recommended for calculus, obstructions of the viscera, dropsy, jaundice, scurvy, etc.

Extreme care has to be taken while collecting the seeds from 'Daucus carota' plant as the plant bears close resemblance to a dangerous species 'Water Hemlock'. Moreover, the leaves of the wild carrot can cause phytophotodermatitis, so the plant should be handled carefully.