Benefits And Side Effects Of Usage of Carrot Seed Oil.

Carrot seed oil is a type of essential oil extracted by the steam distillation of the Daucus carota plant’s seeds. It is often confused with carrot oil; however, the latter is not an essential oil, as it’s made from a mixture of crushed carrots and olive oil.

Over the past few years, this essential oil gained substantial popularity due to its antimicrobial and antioxidative properties. Similar to other essential oils, the carrot seed oil is not appropriate for ingestion, which is another difference it has from carrot oil.

In this article, we will cover the health benefits of using carrot seed oil, as well as some side effects and interactions to keep in mind.

What are the benefits of carrot seed oil?

Mixing carrot seed oil with a carrier oil provides numerous health benefits – some of which are backed up by solid scientific evidence while others are mere anecdotes.

Here are the health benefits of using carrot seed oil:

1. It protects against bacterial infections

In one study, researchers found that carrot seed oil is very efficient at eradicating several bacterial species.

The primary bacteria susceptible to the action of carrot seed oil are Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus; additionally, carrot seed oil is also effective at neutralizing E.coli and Salmonella.

Experts believe that the high concentration of alpha-pinene in carrot seed oil is what gives it this potent antibacterial property.

2. It protects against fungal infections

Besides bacterial infections, researchers identified the antifungal effect of carrot seed oil. After careful investigation, it appeared that another chemical compound known as carotol slows down the growth of fungi.

For humans, carrot seed oil may be an effective agent in preventing the growth of Candida albicans and Aspergillus. Both of these fungi are responsible for a variety of infections that affect multiple organ systems (e.g., mouth, throat, liver, skin).

3. Carrot seed oil neutralizes oxidative stress

Inside the cell, there are two entities that regulate oxidation:

• Reactive oxygen species (i.e., free radicals)
• Antioxidants  

The balance between free radicals and antioxidants protects the cell from harmful pathogens and prevents auto-destruction.

Unfortunately, this balance often gets disrupted, leading to a myriad of health problems that affect most organs. Researchers refer to this metabolic state as oxidative stress.

The good news is that carrot seed oil exerts potent antioxidative action that restores the balance of the cells and prevents severe organ damage. In one study, researchers found that carrot seed oil is an effective substance that prevents oxidative stress and protects the cell.

4.Carrot seed oil counters the effect of pro-inflammatory substances

Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of carrot seed oil, it protects the skin and scalp from the harmful effects of cytokines.

As a result, you are less likely to develop skin rashes and infections. Additionally, chronic inflammation of the skin often leads to collagen degradation – a protein that is essential for the integrity of your skin.

5. It slows down the process of aging

The benefits listed above all contribute to slowing down the process of aging, especially when it comes to skin appearance. In fact, one study suggests that carrot seed oil is effective at regenerating skin cells and preventing age-related skin deterioration (e.g., wrinkles, stretch marks).

6. Carrot seed oil protects the stomach

According to studies, alpha-pinene shields the stomach and intestines from ulcers by providing a protective layer that neutralizes the effects of acids.

Note that the evidence for this finding was present in animal subjects (e.g., mice).

What are the side effects of carrot seed oil?

In general, experts consider carrot seed oil to be safe for external use. However, you should avoid using undiluted carrot seed oil on your skin. This practice triggers a rash, erythema, and a burning sensation.

Good options for carrier oils include sweet almond oil or coconut oil, which are gentle on the skin and don’t cause any reactions.

Researchers also noted that the topical application of carrot seed oil causes photosensitivity, increasing the risk of sunburn. An effective way to limit this side effect is by avoiding the overuse of carrot seed oil and applying a high SPF sunblock.

People with an allergy to birch, celery, spices, and mugwort may also develop a reaction after the application of carrot seed oil. To avoid any surprises, make sure to dilute the product before using it on your skin. If you see any redness or rash within the next 24–48 hours, it may indicate an allergic reaction to carrot seed oil.

Interaction of carrot seed oil with other substances

The carrot seed oil has some diuretic properties (it promotes the elimination of fluids), which may lead to a mild drop in blood pressure.

Therefore, if you have high blood pressure and you are taking an antihypertensive medication, you should limit using this oil, especially if you have scheduled surgery.

Furthermore, carrot seed oil possesses some estrogen-like action that may interact with Premarin, Ethinyl estradiol, and estradiol.

Finally, the effect of this oil on photosensitivity mandates its interruption when taking drugs for psoriasis phototherapy, ofloxacin eye drops, and certain antibiotics (e.g., tetracycline, ciprofloxacin).

Before applying carrot seed oil, make sure to speak with your primary care physician or dermatologist to prevent any unwanted interactions.

Warnings

Researchers prohibit the use of carrot seed oil during pregnancy as it may interfere with the normal contraction of the uterus, leading to severe complications such as miscarriages.

In fact, people have used carrot seed for centuries as a contraceptive or abortive agent.

Additionally, the evidence of the effects of carrot seed oil on breastfeeding is scarce, which is why you should avoid using it.

Carrot seed oil is not appropriate for ingestion; however, when people inhale this essential oil, you can expect the following adverse effects:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhea
• Convulsions
• Kidney disease (only in case of high dosage)

Takeaway message

Carrot seed oil provides a variety of health benefits to your skin and body. It has the ability to eradicate microbes, reduce inflammation, and neutralize oxidative stress.

We hope that this article managed to highlight some of the positive effects and risks of carrot seed oil.

If you still have any questions, concerns, or a personal story about using carrot seed oil, feel free to comment your thoughts down below.