I am going to let you in on a huge secret today. You see, there is an essential oil out there that is waiting patiently to become a part of your essential oil collection. It has so much to offer (in fact, quite a bit more than some of the essential oils already in your stash) and yet, it is overlooked again and again.
Carrot seed oil is the little known essential oil that really should be in everyone’s home.
Carrot seed essential oil is mainly obtained from wild carrots (also known as Queen Anne’s lace), usually found in Europe. It is an annual or biennial herb with hairy leaves and umbels of white lacy flowers with purple centers.
Carrot seed essential oil is extracted from the seeds. It is often confused with the infused variety of carrot oil, which uses the taproot (orange, edible portion) of cultivated carrots, macerated in a carrier oil such as olive oil.
How To Use Carrot Seed Essential Oil
Carrot seed oil can be:
- Diffused
- Used in direct inhalation
- Applied topically
- Added to skin care formulations which may also enhance their effectiveness
Carrot Seed Oil’s primary use is topical (to support healthy skin). It can be applied neat (undiluted), in a carrier oil, or combined with other essential oils based on my research but please do your own before deciding how to apply it.
The earthy, grounding aroma of carrot seed oil can be beneficial in:
- Massage
- The bath
- As a compress to support recovery of the musculoskeletal system and respiratory tract
- For overall detoxification (diffused, carrot seed oil can be used to support detoxification)
- To enhance feelings of well-beingÂ
Before we take a closer look at some of the carrot seed oil benefits, please remember that I am not a medical professional so do consult with a trusted care provider before using carrot seed oil. Ok – onto carrot seed oil goodness!
7 Benefits Of Carrot Seed Oil
1. Carrot Seed Oil Is An Anti-Oxidant
It may help you look refreshingly young. The anti-oxidants in carrot seed essential oil repair the damages done to your tissues by oxidants (free radicals) and help stop them from doing further harm. While it can’t turn back time, it may help you look younger and more radiant.
2. Carrot Seed Oil Is Anti-Septic, Anti-Viral and a Disinfectant
Applied externally, carrot seed essential oil may relieve infections already present, protect you from developing them, and has anti-septic properties (it is known to prevent tetanus for example).
Taken internally, it supports infections of the throat, mouth, colon, stomach, intestines, and urinary system. It is miraculously effective in aiding in the relief of sores, gangrene, psoriasis, ulcers, rashes, carbuncles and other similar skin issues. It can even work on viral infections of the whole respiratory system, thus benefiting in bronchitis. It is effective in fighting other viral infections such as in the case of flu, cough and cold, measles, etc.
3. Carrot Seed Oil May Aid In Detoxification
Carrot seed essential oil has the ability to detoxify the blood, tissues, muscles and internal organs like liver and kidneys. It can neutralize excess bile secreted from liver and offers support when there is infection of the liver in cases of jaundice. Carrot seed oil removes accumulation of toxins like uric acid from the blood, tissues, muscles and joints, thereby helping cure edema, arthritis, gout, rheumatism etc.
4. Carrot Seed Oil Is A Stimulant
Carrot seed essential oil stimulates circulation and your metabolism. It also stimulates secretion of hormones, enzymes, gastric juices, bile and the peristaltic motion of the intestines, thus keeping all the organic systems active. It also stimulates brain functions and nerves, thus making you more alert and active.
5. Carrot Seed Oil Is Purifying
Carrot seed essential oil may purify all the organic systems inside your body, particularly the circulatory, digestive and the excretory systems. It removes toxins like uric acid, urea, insecticides, pesticides and other chemicals which get into our body with our food and water and helps support optimal function.
6. Carrot Seed Oil Is An Anti-Carcinogenic
The anti-carcinogenic properties in carrot seed oil can be attributed partly to the anti-oxidant properties and partly to the other medicinal properties of its components.
7. Carrot Seed Oil Plays A Key Role In Emotional and Spiritual Health
Carrot seed essential oil has more than just physical health benefits. It also plays a key role in emotional and spiritual health. It supports the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th chakras. These chakras are vital to the health of the whole person. (You can learn more about Chakras in my comprehensive post about Chakras For Healing.)
Carrot seed essential oil is also very uplifting, purifying, soothing to the psyche, and cleansing. It can clear away negative energy and redistribute energy. It assists you in gaining perspective. It is also an excellent stress and anxiety reliever!
Wait – There’s More Carrot Seed Oil Goodness!
In addition to these properties, carrot seed essential oil is also known to be a diuretic, gas reliever, hormone regulator (as it relates to regulating the female menstruation cycle), PMS reliever, cell and tissue regenerator, and parasite remover. It tones up tissues and muscles and supports their efficiencies. It tones the liver, stomach and the whole digestive system, regulating the flow of digestive juices and bringing the digestive system back to working order. It also tones skin and prevents it from hanging loose.
I have personally been using carrot seed essential oil in three different capacities.
First, I have mixed 10 drops of my favorite carrot seed oil in with 1 cup of coconut oil to make a wonderful and effective protectant against sunburn. The SPF is known to be around 35 making it very effective. The best part about this natural sun protection is that it still lets all the beneficial rays in while protecting your skin against burns! (I also have another awesome carrot seed oil based sunscreen recipe on my site. Check it out!)
The second way I used to use carrot seed oil was on my ex-husband. He has very dark skin but has one patch on his leg that is bumpy and has lost all the pigment. I decided to try applying carrot seed essential oil on it nightly and after 6 weeks, the pigment is beginning to return and the texture of the skin is returning to normal. He is blown away at the success of this!
Finally, I have been using carrot seed essential oil topically to help balance my hormones. While I cannot say if that alone has helped regulate my cycle, I do know that my hormones were pretty out of whack until I began using carrot seed essential oil! I do believe it played a role in aiding my hormone imbalance.
One day I was playing around with some moisturizer recipes and decided to add in some of the carrot seed essential oil. What resulted was a wonderful face treatment. The essential oils I used combined with the carrier oils to create a deeply nourishing moisturizer that felt like it took years off my skin! If anything was ever age defying – this is it!
How would you like the recipe for carrot seed moisturizer? It’s easy and I just know you will love it!
Carrot Seed Oil Moisturizer
This nourishing, healing, and detoxifying moisturizer featuring carrot seed oil will leave you amazed.
Materials
- 15 drops Carrot Seed Essential Oil (I like this one)
- 10 drops Frankincense Essential Oil (I like this one)
- 5 drops Geranium Essential Oil (I personally like the scent of this one best)
- 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil (melted)
- 2 Tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil (this brand is my go-to)
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a bottle or jar with a lid.
- Shake well.
- Apply about 1-2 teaspoons over your entire face, rubbing in gently.
- Leave on overnight and rinse off in the shower the next morning.
- Store the leftovers in a dark place.
Are you as excited about carrot seed EO as I am? Share how you plan on using it!
Sources for this article include:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15666536/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29737890/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31489671/
- https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/daucus-carota/
- http://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:prj&volume=29&issue=2&article=011
- https://www.healthline.com/health/carrot-seed-oil
Kelly Howard says
How do you mask the awful smell? I want to use this, but I have heard that the smell is so overpowering that you can’t get past it! Thanks, Kelly
Jennifer says
Hi Kelly! In my opinion, the smell dissipates rather quickly. It does blend well with carrier oils like coconut oil and almond oil which helps mask the earthy odor. I personally do not think it smells that bad. It might depend on which brand you use. If you aren’t used to earthy smells, then carrot seed oil certainly will be a new experience. 😉
Michelle R says
Can’t believe that the “carrot seed EO” that I’ve been reading here and there was Queen Anne’s Lace. I once rolled in a field of them and got a bout of hives (not terribly bad but it was quite uncomfortable). Never would have guessed that it was so beneficial having had a not-so-great encounter with them. Thanks for the info!
Melissa B says
How did you take the Carrot Seed EO to help balance your hormones? I am very curious about how you took it and how much? Great article, thanks so much for all of the good info.
Tamara says
I am also curious how u used the carrot seed oil to balance ur hormones. If u ingest it, how?
Sue says
Hi,
I just ordered some carrot seed oil and I am so excited! Here in Jamaica the sun can be so brutal so I have been trying to find natural alternatives to regular sunscreens. I enjoyed the information. I have all the ingredients to make your face treatment too!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
organic skincare says
Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote
and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well
am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing.
Do you have any helpful hints for newbie blog
writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
Janine says
Great information! I ran out of carrot seed essential oil awhile ago and decided to buy more today after reading this page. I intend to mix it with hempseed oil or shea butter and use it as a way to seal in the moisture after cleansing.
Virginia says
I’m excited to try this oil, especially when I read that it is made from the seeds of Queen Anne’s Lace.
The comment from Michelle R, about it causing hives, made me remember that while I was in Alaska, I learned about cow parsley. It looks a lot like Queen Anne’s Lace, but causes some people a horrible skin reaction. Most likely Michelle found some of that and mistook it for QA’sL. It looks very similar.
I didn’t see a reply from you about the aroma of it. Is it something you need to try to hide? One thing I’ve noticed since learning about and using all kinds of EO’s, is that they do not smell the same to everyone.
When I first started using Frankincense, for example, I was dabbing it on a little skin cancer on the bridge of my nose. It smelled like a cadaver to me (I’m an RN, so know what they smell like). I was so disappointed that it smelled horrible! But, after the spot on my nose was healed, it smelled different, and now I love it!
Could it be that the odor we notice is dependent on our health issues? Interesting thought, huh?
So, my ? for you is, does Carrot EO have an especially strong odor?
Thanks!
Jennifer says
For some reason, my replies to all the earlier comments are not showing up! Shoot!
In my opinion, the smell dissipates rather quickly. It does blend well with carrier oils like coconut oil and almond oil which helps mask the earthy odor. I personally do not think it smells that bad. It might depend on which brand you use. If you aren’t used to earthy smells, then carrot seed oil certainly will be a new experience.
Thank you for sharing about the cow’s parsley as well. Great info to know!
Dotty says
I just want to send a caution regarding the use of carrot seed oil to balance hormones. I’m not familiar enough with the oil to speak directly to that, but historically the seed from the Queen Anne’s Lace (wild carrot) plant was used as birth control. That may be something to consider in your research. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
jamie says
I know that carrot seed is used to induce an abortion so I don’t think this is safe to use while pregnant. Do you know if the oil Also causes miscarriage and abortion?
wendy says
How do you use this for treating cancer?My husband just had surgery for tonsil cancer and will be starting chemo/radiation in the next few days.I have some carrot EO on hand-I’m just not sure how to use it for this.Thanks!
Jennifer says
Hi Wendy! I am NOT a medical professional but my research tells me to apply it topically (in a bit of carrier oil) to the area where the cancer was found. Apply it 2-3 times per day. If he gets any reaction, discontinue use immediately. Best wishes for his recovery! Get lots of healing foods into your husband. I have an entire post on that if you are interested. https://hybridrastamama.com/new-start-here/
wendy says
Thank you,Jennifer!
Mister Karl says
I, too, use essential oils; but I do not like sites that make unsubstantiated claims. If you are going to say carrot oil is disinfectant, provide links to or names of the studies that prove it is disinfectant. Otherwise, you might as well be saying it is a bear repellant. This is why most aromatherapists are labels as quacks, because they never provide evidence.
Rachel says
Carrot seed essential oil is widely known as a disinfectant. You could use something as simple as Google to verify that information yourself…or you could continue to troll and complain because the information isn’t right at your lazy fingertips.
Whitney says
How rude to call the previous poster lazy and a troll – any article making such health claims should be demanded to have links to scientific research supporting the claims! Additionally, warnings (for those who are pregnant, nursing, etc.) would not go amiss to be included. Many people do not take the time to research for themselves, and the author should take every precaution to safeguard their readers. This is wonderful information, but there are those who take it at face value, to the detriment of their personal health.
Kimberly says
Be careful using the word “cure” with your so called knowledge about carrot seed EO….to say that that an essential oil can cure gout, edema, etc…is very misleading!
elizabeth A. Johnson says
How is this used for treating stomach ailments or asthma etc? can this be consumed?
kari says
i am going to add it to my moisturizer. i use castor oil but put a few drops of green tea and mix it in my hand before use. my face looks amazing!!!
Abigail says
How wonderful article, know that the carrot seeds do well, had no idea! thanks for the tips.
Jennifer says
Glad you liked it!
Brenda says
I did not know the power of carrot oil, saved the recipe here in my favorite ….
jessica says
how often do you use this? is this a daily serum? THanks!
Jennifer says
Hi Jessica! Yes, you can use this daily. I personally love to use it at night so it can really soak in. 🙂
jai says
thanks for your post, love all this info!!
I have a question: i oil my body every morning as part of my ritual, and ayurvedic practice: i was wondering if i could just put carrot seed essential oil in the blend to make it a higher SPF, the oil blend already uses half sesame and half coconut oil. And how many drops to 8oz, and what protection would that give me?
thanks so much!!
warmly,
jai
jai says
AND……i make my own face cream, so adding it to the cream would make a SPF cream? (without using ingredients like zinc oxide etc that makes it pasty and white)
Jennifer says
Yes indeed! I actually add both carrot seed oil and red raspberry seed oil to my homemade face cream and it gives me great protection! You only need about 15 drops of carrot seed EO and 25 drops of red raspberry seed oil for a 4 ounce jar of cream.
Jennifer says
Hi Jai! A lot of this depends on your skin tone to begin with as that determines how easily you might burn or get skin damage. Carrot seed oil is know to carry an SPF rating of over 30 so you should be well protected if you add it to your blend (which already has some additional SPF protection in it). I would add 20 drops to each 3-4 ounces of oil and see how that works for you. You can increase it if you feel you need more. Hope that helps! 🙂
Heidi says
i am very blonde and burn like an over cooked piece of bacon, I added carrot seed oil to my homemade sunscreen and it was the first year that I have ever had a tan and no burn!!! Awesome stuff.
Jennifer says
Yay!!!! I really do love carrot seed oil for this exact reason. I am so glad you had a wonderful summer in the sun. 🙂
Holly says
Something g I don’t understand… why is cart oil HOT? I got some thinking it would be so good for my skin. I dabbed a little around my eyes. And holy comoly… it was hot… when you mix it it’s not bad.. but just dabbing it on right out of the bottle… wow!!
Jennifer says
Hi Holly,
I have found that it depends on the brand. Carrot Seed Oil is strong for sure and applying it close to the eyes, which is a thin skin area, could certainly produce some discomfort. I can handle it straight most of the time but we are all different. Just keep mixing it with another oil.
kaye says
I made a cream using carrot seed oil along with lavender and patchouli essential oils and gave it to my friend. She said it removed her age spots. I’m making me some now.
csgo skins float says
Love the site– extremely individual pleasant and whole lots to see!|
Lore says
Hello!
I was thinking TO do My own sunscreen too because I always breakout from chemical stuff.
I am doing my own serum now (with essential
Oils), and I have healed a bad allergy acne so I am scared to start it over again…
I have read and remember that coconut oil could be bad for some people because comodogenic (and I gave me some pimples too), do you have any alternative do you suggest to replace it with the same effect?
Thanks!:)
Jennifer says
Hi there! Some people have luck using avocado oil as a substitute. I like cocoa butter quite a bit. Olive oil works well. However, they don’t quite have the same properties as coconut oil.
Aenflex says
I’ve been using carrot seed oil for 10+ years and I love it. I use it in a blended oil mix as my primary moisturizer.
However, I find it misleading to advise your readers that it can be used as an SPF. Also, what beneficial rays from the sun are you talking about, specifically?
Also, using it undiluted on skin so NOT recommended by any manufacturer. It’s too volatile.
Nice article but should be much better researched. And clarified. And some parts removed entirely.
fitoru says
thanks for your valuable blog. I learned something new today 🙂