Carrot is an annual (cultivated varieties) or biennial (wild) having erect stem, which grows to a height of 3 ft (1 m), with feathery leaves, small white flowers, and flat green seeds. Cultivated subspecies have fleshy orange taproots, native to Europe, but now grown around the world.
• Its family is known for having a wide range of varieties, ranging from white, yellow, orange, purple and even black-skinned carrots, all with unique nutritional and anti-oxidant properties.
Carrot Colours & Values
Carrot Colours & Values
1) Orange variety are rich in Beta-Carotene (a precursor of Vitamin A and a great ally for a healthy vision).
2) Red variety have Lycopene (a Phytochemical known for its potent anti-oxidant activity).
3) Yellow variety have xanthophyll (a substance and a yellow Carotenoid pigment that can regulate systolic blood pressure).
4) White variety varieties are believed to help prevent and slow down the proliferation of Cancer cells. However, scientists find it difficult to pinpoint the substances actively responsible for this.
5) Purple or black variety owe their colours to Anthocyanins (special natural pigments which are Flavonoid compounds).
Black Carrots Values
• Black Carrot juice concentrate has 12 times more anti-oxidants than regular Orange Carrot juice.
• Black Carrot juice concentrate has 40% more Beta-Carotene than regular Orange Carrot juice concentrate.
• Vitamin A and Selenium found in black Carrots are said to help maintain a stable blood flow, have potent antimicrobial and Anti-Cancer properties.
• Black Carrot juice has incredible detoxifying properties.
Red Carrots Values
• Red Carrot is an important source of Provitamin A anti-oxidants (such as Beta-Carotene and Alpha-Carotene) beneficial to eyesight, Skin Health and Immune System.
• The Vegetable is a generous source of Vitamins (such as Vitamin B6 and Vitamin K) and provides moderate amounts of Manganese and Potassium.
• Its good Fiber content makes it an ideal food for relieving Constipation and managing Hemorrhoids symptoms. It can also be eaten for Diarrhea to help combat Dehydration, thanks to its good mineral profile, tonic properties.
Plant Description
History
Types & Varieties
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
Key Actions
Carrot Seed Essential Oil
Carrot Seed Essential Oil is extracted from Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) seeds by Steam distillation.
Properties:
• Anti-septic,
• Disinfectant,
• Detoxifier,
• Anti-oxidant,
• Carminative,
• Depurative,
• Diuretic,
• Emmenagogue,
• Stimulant,
• Cytophylactic,
• Tonic,
• Detoxification,Health Benefits:
• Protects Wounds from septic,
• Fights Infections,
• Removes toxins from body,
• Neutralises free radicals and reverses effects of oxidation,
• Removes gases and does not let them form,
• Purifies blood by removing toxins,
• Increases urination,
• Opens and regularises menses,
• Stimulates secretions and other functions,
• Promotes generation of new cells and growth,
• Tones up health,
• Kills worms,
• Eczema,
Usable Parts
• Seeds, root, leaves.
Directions of Preparation
Recommended Dosage
• Dried herb – 2–4 g as an infusion three times daily.
• Liquid extract – 2–4mL (1 : 1 in 25% Alcohol) three times daily.
Its Active Constituents:
• Its leaves contain significant amounts of porphyrins, which stimulate the pituitary gland and lead to the release of increased levels of sex Hormones.
• Its a root umbelliferae Vegetable widely recognized for its role in vision because its Provitamin A Carotenoids maintain the Cornea and make rhodopsin (raises the effectiveness of the light-sensitive area of the retina, needed by the Eye to see in dim light – so deficiency in Vitamin A can actually lead to Night Blindness).
• Cultivated root contains sugars, Pectin, Carotene, Vitamins, Minerals, and Asparagine.
• Its wild seeds contain Flavonoids, and a volatile oil including asarone, carotol, pinene, and limonene.
• Its a Superstar Food (a true medicinal food) containing Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Fiber, Iron, and natural Sodium.
• Carrot is excellent in Vitamin A, Alpha-Carotene, Beta-Carotene.
• Carrot is very good in Dietary Fiber, Potassium, Vitamin E, Vitamin K.
• Carrot has average trace of Calcium, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6.
• Three (3) medium Carrots contain 60 mg of Calcium, 586 mg of Potassium, a little bit of Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Vitamin C, and of course, a whopping 30,000 IUs of Vitamin A, including 15,000 units of Beta-Carotene, 6,000 units of Alpha-Carotene and 5g of Fiber.
• All Carrots have the same Vitamins and Minerals content, but slightly different additional compounds. However, Black Carrots are considered healthier because of their special pigment, an Anthocyanin (the pigment responsible for the purple colour is an anti-oxidant).
* Anthocyanins can be found in practically every dark-coloured foods (such as Blueberries, Blackberries, Asian Plums, purple mirabelles or purple or Black Carrots).
• Red variety, characterized by a distinctive red-orange colour and a high content of Lycopene (an anti-oxidant pigment).
* Lycopene is also found in Tomatoes, Watermelon, Papaya, Pink Grapefruit, Pink Guava, Goji, Rose Hip, Sea Buckthorn and Gac Fruit. Carotenoids, namely Alpha-Carotene, Beta-Carotene contribute to the orange hues.
Expert Advice:
* Light cooking actually increases the bioavailability of Carotenoids, so enjoy this group of veggies cooked for optimal results.
Precaution:
* Use only organic Carrot juice since the root concentrates artificial fertilizers and insecticides.
* Wild Carrot (Queen Anne’s lace) cause phototoxic, dermatitis effect, due to its furanocoumarinscontent.
Health Benefits of Carrot
Alcoholism
• It seeds are also Diuretic and have been used in folk medicine as a treatment for hangovers.
Foods & Alcoholism
Anti-Aging
• Eat them for glowing Skin. They are a great source of Beta-Carotene and a wealth of other Carotenoids, which gives our Skin that healthy glow.
• Beta-Carotene also helps with collagen production.
Foods & Bones
Cancer & Tumor Prevention
• Its Alpha-Carotene has shown promise in inhibiting tumor growth and a powerful inhibitor to tumor growth processes.
• Diets High Carotenoid intake (one a day) could possibly cut the rate of bladder, cervix, Prostate, lung, colon, Larynx, and esophageal Cancer by 50%, as well as up to a 20% decrease in postmenopausal Breast Cancer (Dr. Michael Murray, naturopath).
• It may also reduce the risk of kidney and Ovarian Cancers.
• Carotenoid-rich Vegetables (delicious and super-nutritious group) gets their Anti-Cancer punch from plant pigments called Carotenoids.
Foods & Cancer
Cardiovascular System
• Its nutrients inhibit cardiovascular diseases.
Foods & Cardiovascular System
Detoxification
• It stimulates urine flow and the removal of waste by the kidneys.
• Its juice of organically grown Carrots is a delicious drink and a valuable detoxifier.
• Its wild leaves are a good Diuretic, beneficial in countering Cystitis and Kidney Stones formation, or diminishing already formed stones.
Foods & Detoxification
Digestive System
• Its leaves and seeds relieve Flatulence and settle the digestion.
Foods & Digestive System
Eye
• It nutrients support ear and Eye Health.
• Carrot looks like the Eye in structure and help generally to enhance blood flow to the Eye.
• They’re a great source of Carotenoids (Lutein and Zeaxanthin), which work together and have shown enormous promise in promoting Eye Health and helping to prevent macular degeneration and Cataracts.
• Both Alpha-Carotene and Beta-Carotene convert in the body to Vitamin A, which, in addition to being a great antioxidant and Immune System stimulator, turbocharges the formation of a purple pigment in the Eye called rhodopsin.
Foods & Eye
Immune System
• They are high in Carotenoids (the potent anti-oxidants), anti-oxidant compounds found in plants that are associated with a wide range of health benefits such as stimulating the Immune System.
• Carotenoids offer broad-spectrum, natural chemoprevention. They help protect the body from Cancer, cardiac disease, and Cataract and macular degeneration.
• Coumaric acid (a cinnaminate Polyphenolic compound found in many foods, including Carrots) reduce LDL Cholesterol levels and exhibit anti-oxidant properties.
• Black variety contain Anthocyanins which have potent anti-oxidant effects, due to their amazing capacity to offer protection against free radicals and a variety of chronic, life-threatening diseases (such as heart disease, Diabetes and Cancer).
• A true medicinal food which is very useful in diseases of the retina and Eyes, Skin disorders, Gastritis, excess of gastric acid, Colitis and prevention of Cancer.
Foods & Immune System
Infant
• Its raw root (grated or mashed) is a safe treatment for threadworms, especially in children.
Foods & Infant
Metabolism
• Its a good source of insoluble Fiber, which promote colon health and different cultivars contain different Phytochemicals.
Foods & Metabolism
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Carrot
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
(per 100g) of
Carrot
