HerbMate

Herb comparison

Caraway (Carum carvi) vs Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus)

Both plants are listed as traditional remedies for 1 of the same condition, which is why they are easy to confuse. Their descriptions and full safety notes are below, free.

Caraway (Carum carvi) plant

Caraway (Carum carvi)

Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus) plant

Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus)

About
Caraway is an aromatic annual herb growing to 2 feet with a ridged stem, feathery leaves, and umbels of white flowers in midsummer. Exploding capsules release two small narrow seeds. It grows wild in Europe, North Africa, and Asia, preferring sunny sites up to 6,600 feet above sea level. Cultivated in Europe, Russia, North Africa, and the United States, the seeds are harvested ripe in late summer. The seeds are commonly used in cooking.
Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus) is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to about 13 ft (4 m). It has lobed leaves, clusters of white flowers, and red oval berries.
Safety & precautions
Do not use the essential oil internally except under professional supervision.
Low Blood Pressure: May lower blood pressure further; caution is advised for hypotensive individuals. General Use: Consult a practitioner if combining with other treatments.

Safety text above is printed in full and is never abbreviated. For each plant’s complete precautions, drug and food interactions and preparation notes, open its own page - both are free.

Conditions that list both