ABSTRACT
Carrot seed oil is the essential oil obtained from the fruits of the carrot, Daucus carota L. The carrot is commercially produced almost all over the world for its nutritive roots, which are an important source of carotenoids in daily diet. A wide range of pharmacological activities, viz. antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, hepatoprotective and cytotoxic are reported for D. carota. Carrot seed oil is widely used as an aromatic and fragrance component in the formulation of alcoholic liquors, food products, perfumes, cosmetics and soaps. It has been used in folk medicine and aromatherapy for its claimed anthelmintic, antiseptic, diuretic, hepatocellular regenerator, general tonic and stimulant, smooth muscle relaxant, cholesterol regulator and cicatrizant properties. Carrot seed oil is a clear mobile, colorless to yellowish liquid which has a terpeny, slightly fatty herbaceous and aromatic odor. A female ‘complementary therapist’ developed occupational contact dermatitis from a multitude of essential oils used at work, including carrot seed oil.
