Traditional Use: Used for over 3,000 years in Ayurvedic, TCM, ancient Egyptian, and European traditions as a carminative, digestive tonic, and cooling herb; traditionally prescribed for flatulence, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, urinary complaints, and as an appetite stimulant and mild anxiolytic.
Potential Benefits: Linalool and other volatile oils deliver carminative, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, and anxiolytic effects; research supports blood sugar lowering, cholesterol reduction, heavy metal chelation, anti-inflammatory activity, and meaningful relief of functional digestive complaints including IBS and bloating.
Warnings: Generally very safe at culinary and therapeutic doses; may cause allergic reactions in those sensitive to Apiaceae plants — cross-reactivity with celery, fennel, and caraway possible; avoid concentrated essential oil internally without professional guidance; may mildly potentiate antidiabetic and antihypertensive medications at high therapeutic doses.
