Origin and history
Carrots, now one of the most widely consumed vegetables, have a long history of medicinal use prior to being cultivated for their taste. Native to Europe and Asia, they were once prized for their white or purple roots, long before the orange carrot appeared in the 17th century, developed by Dutch horticulturists. In ancient times, the Greeks and Romans used them as a medicinal plant to stimulate digestion and improve eyesight. In herbal medicine, wild carrots (Daucus carota) were renowned for their purifying and toning properties. Today, carrots are still as popular for their nutritional benefits as they are for their cosmetic properties.
