The Healing Power of Queen Anne's Lace

Queen Anne's Lace

Botanical Name

Daucus carota L. (sometimes referred to as subspecies carota)

Common Name

Queen Anne’s lace, wild carrot, bird’s nest

Family

Apiaceae (formerly known as Umbelliferae)

Parts Used

The seeds are most often used medicinally; the flowers, leaves, and roots are sometimes used as food

Native To

Europe and southwestern

Harvesting Guidelines

Seeds: Harvest the seeds in late summer or early fall after the flowering cycle has finished (usually after August). Snip off the entire flower umbel and hang it upside down in a paper or mesh bag in a dry, shady location to prevent the seeds from falling off as they dry. Once dried, the seeds can be separated from the stems and stored for later use.
Roots: The roots should be harvested in the fall, once the plant has completed its flowering cycle. They can be cleaned, dried, and used in various forms, such as teas or tinctures.
Leaves: The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season, but they should be collected before the plant flowers. These are typically used fresh or dried for medicinal infusions.

Queen Anne’s Lace, also known as wild carrot, is a flowering plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is commonly found growing in roadside ditches, fields, and other disturbed areas, often in temperate regions across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Characterized by its delicate white umbel-shaped flowers, Queen Anne’s Lace has both culinary and medicinal applications. While it shares a genus with the domestic carrot (Daucus carota), it is a wild relative that is generally smaller in size and has a more potent medicinal profile than the cultivated version.

Queen Anne’s Lace has long been valued in Native American cultures for its medicinal and culinary uses. The blossoms were commonly infused to help manage diabetes, while the root was utilized to stimulate appetite, treat skin and blood conditions, address gynecological concerns, and act as a diuretic. Various Native American tribes, such as the Oweekeno, Sanpoil, Nespelem, Kitasoo, Haisla, and Hanaksaila, also used the root as a food source. Today, Queen Anne’s Lace continues to be employed in herbal medicine for its numerous health benefits.

Traditional herbal medicine also includes the use of Queen Anne’s Lace in diverse cultures around the world. In Kashmir, India, the plant is widely used to treat liver and circulatory disorders. In Lebanon, it serves both medicinal and culinary roles, with the leaves being added to salads, the roots cooked and eaten, and the flower umbels fried and consumed. Interestingly, research suggests that the variety of Queen Anne’s Lace found in Lebanon may have a different chemical composition compared to other varieties, despite being classified under the same species.

Known also as wild carrot, Queen Anne’s Lace boasts a variety of medicinal properties. Chewing its seeds can alleviate gas and bloating, and Russian herbalists have traditionally used the seeds to expel intestinal worms. The plant’s antispasmodic properties also make it effective in relieving intestinal cramps and colic. Recent studies have highlighted that the volatile oils in carrot seed extract possess potent anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting COX-I and COX-II enzymes more effectively than medications like ibuprofen and aspirin. Furthermore, animal studies have shown that wild carrot seed oil has hepatoprotective qualities, offering protection to the liver.

In addition to its internal health benefits, Queen Anne’s Lace has been a staple in traditional medicine for its skin-healing properties. The plant’s oil is widely used in skincare products for its antioxidant and hydrating effects, as well as its ability to diminish scars, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. In vitro studies have demonstrated significant antioxidant and anticancer activity in wild carrot seed extract. Russian herbalists also applied poultices of boiled and mashed wild carrot root to treat skin injuries like burns and cuts. Moreover, animal trials have shown that creams containing wild carrot root extract can accelerate wound healing and reduce scarring without causing skin irritation.

Dosage for Queen Anne's Lace (Wild Carrot):

Infusion:

Aerial Parts: Steep 1 teaspoon of dried herb in 1 cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Drink up to 3 times daily.
Seeds: Steep ⅓ to 1 teaspoon of seeds in 1 cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Drink up to 3 times daily.

Tincture:

Take 1-2 ml (1:5 in 25% alcohol) of tincture, 3 times a day.

Whole Seeds:

One heaping teaspoonful to be consumed once daily.

Topical Use:

Carrot seed essential oil should be diluted before applying to the skin.

Safety:

While Queen Anne’s Lace is generally safe for use, there are a few precautions to consider:

Skin Sensitivity: Some individuals may experience photosensitivity or skin irritation when handling fresh Queen Anne's Lace. It is advisable to avoid direct sunlight after touching the plant.
Identification: Proper identification is crucial when foraging for wild plants. Queen Anne's Lace belongs to the Apiaceae family, which also includes toxic plants like poison hemlock. To distinguish Queen Anne’s Lace from its toxic relatives, note that its leaves and stems are hairy, while poison hemlock has smooth stems.
Pregnancy: Queen Anne's Lace has a historical use as an abortifacient. Pregnant women should avoid using it, especially the seeds, which are believed to have contraceptive effects.

Actions:

Abortifacient
Analgesic
Anthelmintic
Anti-fertility
Antifungal
Anti-inflammatory
Antirheumatic
Antibacterial
Antilithic (prevents stone formation)
Antinociceptive (reduces pain sensation)
Antioxidant
Antiseptic
Carminative (relieves gas and bloating)
Cicatrisant (promotes wound healing)
Contraceptive
Deobstruent (relieves blockages)
Digestive
Diuretic
Emmenagogue (stimulates menstrual flow)
Emollient (soothes and softens skin)
Galactagogue (supports milk production)
Hepatoprotective (protects the liver)
Immunomodulant (regulates immune function)
Spasmolytic (relieves muscle spasms)
Stimulant
Vermifuge (expels intestinal worms)

Energy:

Earthy
Warming

References:

(Moerman, D. (2003). Native American Ethnobotany: A Database of Plants Used as Drugs, Foods, Dyes, Fibers, and More, by Native Peoples of North America. Retrieved from: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/

Lim, T. K. (2015). Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 9. Springer.
Shebaby, W. N., Daher, C. F., El-Sibai, M., Bodman-Smith, K., Mansour, A., Karam, M. C., & Mroueh, M. (2015). Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of the oil fractions from wild carrot (Daucus carota ssp. carota). Pharmaceutical Biology, 1-10.
Shebaby, W. N., El-Sibai, M., Smith, K. B., Karam, M. C., Mroueh, M., & Daher, C. F. (2013). The antioxidant and anticancer effects of wild carrot oil extract. Phytotherapy Research, 27(5), 737-744.
Patil, M. V. K., Kandhare, A. D., & Bhise, S. D. (2012). Pharmacological evaluation of ethanolic extract of Daucus carota Linn root formulated cream on wound healing using excision and incision wound model. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2(2), S646-S655.
Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

These references support

Information offered on Achula and on this page is for educational purposes only. Achula makes neither medical claim, nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Women who are pregnant or nursing, and persons with known medical conditions, should consult their licensed healthcare provider before taking any herbal product. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. Achula neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.

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