Ajwain

Ajwain, Other Names – Past and Present

Chines

e: zhuijao de za cao
Korean: jugyoui jabcho
Sanskrit: dipyaka / yamanika
Hindi: ajvini / ajwan javane / adarjawan
Tamil: omam / omum
Arabic: ajwain / ajowan

French: ajowan / ammi eleve / carum / grand ammi
Italian: ajowan / ameo bastardo
Spanish: ajave (not to be confused with the plant agave (genus Agave) / ajowan / espuma del mar
English: Bishop’s weed / ajwain (adapted) / carom (adapted) / Ethiopian cumin / ajowan caraway
Latin (esoteric): carom / ameo
Latin (scientific nomenclature): Trachyspermum ammi

Flowers of Trachyspermum ammi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Trachyspermum
Species: T. ammi

Medicinal uses

Ajwain is used as medicinal plant in traditional primarily for stomach disorders such as indigestion, flatulence and others but also for its supposed antispasmodic and carminative properties. In general the crushed fruits are applied externally as a poultice.[9]

Ajwain, ajowan , Trachyspermum ammi, also known as Ajowan caraway,[4] bishop’s weed[5] or carom, is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. It originated in India. Both the leaves and the fruit (often mistakenly called seeds) of the plant are consumed by humans. The plant is also called bishop’s weed, but this is a common name it shares with some other different plants. The “seed” (i.e., the fruit) is often confused with lovage “seed”.

Health Benefits of Ajwain

What is Ajwain?

Ajwain is a herb also known as Bishops Weed. This beneficial herb is used in culinary process as spice as well as a major ingredient of different kind of medicines. Ajwain seeds are small in size but taste hot, penchant and bitter. It acts as good appetizer, laxative and stomachic. It is used as effective remedy in managing ailments like vomiting, mouth diseases, pile, treatment of ascites, abdominal tumor, abdomin

For Stomach Problems:

Ajwain is very useful in alleviating spasmodic pains of the stomach and intestines in adults as well as children. Any colicky pain due to flatulence (gas), indigestion and infections in the intestines can easily be relieved by taking one teaspoonful of Ajwain along with 2-3 pinches of common salt in warm water. Ajwain is a very good digestive. It can be taken with buttermilk to alleviate digestion related problems. It is a good anti-acidic agent.

Respiratory Problems:

  • Common Cold:

    In an acute attack of common cold or migraine headache, put Ajwain powder in a thin cloth and smell this frequently. It gives tremendous symptomatic relief according to some Ayurvedic experts.

  • For bronchitis:

    If you have chronic bronchitis and asthma, take the mixture of Ajwain and jaggery, heat it to make a paste and take 2 teaspoonfuls twice a day. However, diabetics should not take this preparation because of the sugar content. It helps to bring out the mucus easily and alleviates chronic bronchitis and asthma to great extent. It also helps in getting relief from chronic cold.

  • For Cough:

    Ajwain is very effective in curing cough. One can drink hot water after chewing little Ajwain to cure cough. You can chew betel leaf with Ajwain at night before sleeping to control and cure dry cough.

  • For nasal congestion:

    A tablespoon of crushed Ajwain tied up in a small cloth bundle can be used for inhalation. It also relieves nasal congestion while sleeping when placed near the pillow.

  • For flu:

    A person suffering from influenza should drink the boiled water with 3gms of Ajwain and 3gms of Cinnamon bark for 3 days, thrice a day. This helps in curing influenza to a great extent.

For Alcoholics:

If people who consume excessive alcohol develop discomfort in the stomach, taking Ajwain twice a day, will be very useful. It will also reduce the craving and desire for alcohol.

For Heart:

Taking one teaspoon of Ajwain with hot water stimulates the heart and relieves heartache.

For Ear ache:

Ajwain oil can help in relieving ear ache with just one or two drops in the ear.

Arthritis Treatment:

Ajwain oil can also be used to massage legs and knees to get relief from pain from arthritis. It is beneficial in treatment of rheumatic and neuralgic pain.

Tooth ache:

The smoke of burning Ajwain seeds is effective in treating toothache. Gargle with lukewarm water prepared by boiling of Ajwain and little salt two to three times a day, it cures tooth pain.

To know more about Ajwain, have a look at this video:

Ajwain Herbal Remedies

Some of the common herbal remedies of ajwain seeds are as follows –

    • During Pregnancy

      – In some regions, ajwain seeds are taken during pregnancy. The seeds are taken with gaud as it is believed that it purifies the blood and reduces lumbago.

    • Venomous insect bite

      – In traditional Vedic medicine, paste of ajwain seeds is mentioned as a remedy for venomous insect bite such as scorpion bite, as it has pain killing properties.

    • Toothache

      – Ajwain fumes are also inhaled to cure toothache, which is caused by decaying tooth.

    • Hiccups

      – To instantly stop hiccups, ajwain seeds are taken with one or two sips water.

Ajwain Benefits

  • Kidney stone

    Ajwain seeds are taken regularly with vinegar or honey for a week. This remedy removes kidney stone with the urinal flow.

  • Stomach tonic

    Ajwain seeds soaked in water for a night and its water is taken next morning. This helps in stomach diseases as it cures digestion and acute dyspepsia.

  • Acidity

    Dry roast one teaspoon of ajwain seeds and cumin seeds. Add to it one cup of water and bring it to boil and strain it. Add some sugar and take one teaspoon as a remedy for indigestion and acidity.

The ajwain seeds are tiny in size. The seeds can cure certain mouth and heart diseases, vomiting, ascites, piles, abdominal tumor and pain. It should be taken in small doses as in some people, it can cause skin irritation.