Just there is rarely nothing that does not have its bad sides, it is better to identify some of the side effects of carrot oil on the skin. Human beings have seen some breakthrough in the use of this very herbal concoction which however comes with dermatological advantages to both the human hair and of course the human skin.
Carrot oil has been investigated in animal and in vitro models for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and cardiovascular effects. However, clinical data are lacking to recommend use of carrot oil for any indication. Carrot seed oil has generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status, and carrot root oil has been approved for use as a food colorant.
Short History
Carrot cultivation is believed to date back more than 5,000 years and is possibly depicted in Egyptian drawings dating around 2,000 BCE. Greek medical writers of the first century CE also mention carrot. D. carota originated in present-day Afghanistan, spread to China in the 13th and 14th centuries, reached Europe in the 15th century, and was later introduced to North America via European settlers; today, D. carota is found in most countries
The carrot plant commonly called Daucus carota or D.sativus. It has white flowers and its leaves can cause allergic skin reactions in some people. While carrots grown in your garden are a root vegetable, wild carrots are considered a weed. They are often used, when processed, to produce oil that at the end of the day will prove beneficial to health, starting from your skin.
Benefits of Using the Carrot Oil on the Skin
Below are some of the advantages that come with applying the carrot oil on your skin:
- Remove fungus. Carrot seed oil is effective against some types of fungus. Research shows that it can stop fungus that grows in plants and some types that grow on the skin.
- Fight bacteria. Carrot seed oil can fight some bacteria strains like Staphylococcus aureus, a common skin bacteria, and Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that causes food poisoning.
- Block sunlight. A compound called umbelliferon, or 7-hydroxycoumarin, is found in carrot seed essential oil. This compound absorbs UVB light and is commonly used in sunscreens.
- While carrot compounds are found in sunscreen, there’s no evidence that carrot seed oil is safe to use alone as a sunscreen. While it might block UVB light, no evidence shows that it can stop sunburns or sun damage, or protect against skin cancer.
- Even skin tone. Because carrot seed oil absorbs UVB light, it might also help with hyperpigmentation.
Others are:
Antimicrobial effects
In vitro data
In vitro, wild carrot seed oil has demonstrated antifungal activity. Activity of the seed oil and carrot root juice against common human pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus, has also been shown. Activity of the essential oil is more evident against gram-positive organisms than gram-negative organisms.
Antioxidant effects
Animal and in vitro data
An extract of D. carota has demonstrated hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride–induced intoxication in mouse liver. Protection against renal ischemia reperfusion injury in rats has also been demonstrated with D. carota root extract. Additionally, carrot leaves reduced hepatocellular toxicity and oxidative stress in a murine model.
Clinical data
There are no clinical data regarding the use of carrot oil for antioxidant activity; however, carrot is recognized as a source of the dietary antioxidant vitamin A.
Cardiovascular effects
In vitro data
Carrot seed oil has exhibited smooth muscle relaxant, vasodilatory, and cardiosuppressant activities in isolated animal organ studies.
Cytotoxic effects
Animal and in vitro data
In an animal model of tongue carcinogenesis, purple carrot extract reduced oral lesions (diagnosed as dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma) caused by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide.
Side Effects of Carrot Oil on the Skin
Having seen a bit of the pros of carrot and the use of its oil on the body, we will not only dwell on discussing the advantages, but also that we will start looking into the cons, that is, the side effects of carrot oil on the skin:
Read Also: The Benefits of Carrot Oil on the Human Skin
Epileptic Reaction for Epilepsy Patients
Studies have shown that people suffering from epilepsy and asthma should avoid carrot seed oil as it is very stimulating. It can also trigger a severe reaction in patients suffering from epilepsy.
