Top 10 Health Benefits of Ajwain Seeds

Ajwain seeds are also called Carom seeds of Bishop’s weed. Ajwain is an annual herb with oval fruits and white flowers. The fruit of the plant is used for its medicinal value. It helps cure many stomach problems, colds, coughs. It is antispasmodic, stimulant, thermogenic, carminative, and anthelmintic.

Binomial name Trachyspermum ammi (Scientific name)
Other names Ajowan, Carom, Bishop’s Weed, Ajmund

Ajwain seeds are flavorful and contain a strong aroma. It belongs to the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), and its botanical name is Tracyspermum copticum. The other members of this family include fennel, dill, parsley, caraway, and aniseed.

This herb’s origin is thought to be in Asia Minor, and from there, it spread to the Indian subcontinent. The Ajwain seeds are primarily found in Madhya Pradesh in India, now popularly known as Chhattisgarh. The herb is also grown in the home garden. It is also known for its medicinal value in East Asia. The seeds of ajwain can be easily distinguished from cumin or caraways seeds by their small size and elliptical shape.

Ajwain seeds are very tiny, ridged, and oval. These grayish-green-colored seeds appear as cumin seeds. These seeds are chewed as they are considered to be of medicinal value. They are of bitter and hot taste. One can add these seeds to the dough of the rotis, parathas, matris, khakras. One can use them in dal, salad dressings, vegetables, and many savory preparations. In India, ajwain is used to flavor deeply fried foods.

Chemical Properties of Ajwain Seeds or Bishop’s Weed

• The flavor of ajwain seeds is very close to the thyme herb as it contains an essential oil, thymol. Thymol is a monopterene derivative class of chemical compounds, and this class gives an aromatic fragrance to the seeds
• Thymol has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anesthetic properties
• Ajwain seeds also contain small quantities of other chemicals found in plants like terpinene, limonene, cymene, and pinene
• Ajwain seeds are rich in minerals, vitamins, and other essential anit-oxidants
• The above properties make ajwain seeds suitable for use in various traditional medicines

The following lines describe the various reasons why we should use ajwain seeds in our daily diet.

Top 10 Health Benefits of Ajwain Seeds

The following are a few important nutritional and medicinal benefits of carom seeds:

1. Digestive System

• Flatulence and indigestion: Consuming ajwain seeds helps cure various digestive problems like flatulence and indigestion as it contains thymol which has a therapeutic effect. Thymol is found only in plants and is quite effective for stomach problems. Roast 1 tsp of ajowan seeds in a pan till it turns red. Boil it by pouring 2 cups of water. Keep boiling it till half of the water evaporates. Take this one time a day for sure relief from gas problems
• Acidity: Acidity and acid regurgitation can be cured with ajwain seeds boiled in water. Drinking this water helps cure acidic problems in the stomach
• Fasten Digestion: Ajwain seeds help release gastric juices and, thus, fasten the digestive process. It also helps cure bloating, gas, flatulence, colic pain, nausea, and loss of appetite in children

2. Heart Problems

• Improves Blood Circulation: Ajwain seeds help improve blood circulation towards the heart by improving the nerve impulse. Lukewarm ajwain water should be taken on an empty stomach for this purpose
• Standardizes Heart Functioning: To keep the heart in a healthy state and maintain its functioning properly, ajwain seeds should be taken regularly as they contain thymol and niacin vitamin, which help improve its functioning

3. During Pregnancy and Lactation

• Improves Digestion Issues: The seeds of ajwain help a pregnant woman and a lactating woman by improving digestion and, thus, help cure several digestive disorders during this period. This is because ajwain seeds have anti-inflammatory properties
• Reduces Back Pain: Ajwain seeds taken during pregnancy and lactating period helps cure back pain problems and also help purify blood
• Post-Partum Recovery: Ajwain seeds help post-partum recovery soon as it helps healing of pain and wounds after delivery by improving blood circulation and reducing inflammation in the body
• Stregthens Body After Delivery: The seeds of ajwain help provide strength to the uterine muscles, cures constipation, and boosts milk production in new mothers

4. Benefits In Diabetes

Seeds of ajwain help cure complications in diabetes like thirstiness and excessive urination etc. Ajwain seeds should be taken with bael leaf juice to cure diabetes issues.

5. Weight Loss

Ajwain seeds help in effective weight loss as they fasten the bowel movement. They contain laxative properties and, thus, reduce weight effectively if taken daily.

6. Skin Problems

• Various skin problems like acne, blemishes, scars, pimples, rashes, and black heads can be cured with the application of a mixture of ajwain seeds paste with yogurt on the affected part of the body
• Ajwain seeds also help cure ringworm, ulcers, and itching on the skin

7. Bed Wetting Issues

In kids, bedwetting’s common problem can be tackled with a mixture of ajwain seeds, jaggery, and black sesame seeds. It should be given twice daily to kids.

8. Benefits to Men and Women

• Improves sperm quality: Ajwain seeds help improve the sperm count, and their quality and tackle the issue of premature ejaculation
• Female Issues: Ajwain seeds help provide a natural cure for infertility and leucorrhea in females. It also helps relieve pain during menstruation and cures irregular periods and excessive bleeding

9. Relieves Ear Pain

Ajwain seeds help provide instant relief from pain in the ear caused by boils and congestion. For this, boil some ajwain seeds with a few garlic cloves in sesame oil and dropped into the ears after cooling them down. You could also boil half tsp of ajwain seeds in half glass of milk. Cool it down and filter it properly. This solution could be used as ear drops.

10. Cures Fever

Ajwain seeds help cure fever, spleen swelling, and liver enlargement.

11. Asthma

To get relief from asthma, add 1 tsp of Ajowan to a small pan filled with water. Boil it and inhale vapors.

Nutritional Value of Ajwain Seeds

Other Benefits

• Prevents bad breath
• Reduces toothache
• Beneficial for a sore throat
• Provides relief from bronchitis as well as asthma
• One can massage one’s legs as well as knees with ajwain oil
• Manage vomiting
• Useful as a laxative
• Beneficial in heart diseases
• Effective in treating paralysis
• Useful for abdominal pain
• Effective in the case of liver diseases
• Beneficial for weakness in limbs
• Kidney malfunctioning
• Manages mouth pile
• Useful in removing stones in urine
• Useful in controlling hiccups

Key Facts About Ajwain Seeds (Trachyspermum ammi)

• Pronunciation: /ˈɑːdʒ.wɛn/
• Origin: Native to the Middle East and India
• Family: Apiaceae family
• Plant Appearance: Small herb with feathery leaves; grows up to 90 cm tall
• Seeds: Small, ridged, and oval-shaped; greyish-green in color
• Color: Gray-green seeds with a rough texture
• Flavor: Strong, bitter, and thyme-like, with a pungent aroma
• Culinary Use: Used in spice blends, breads, curries, and pickles
• Nutrition: Rich in fiber, antioxidants, and thymol, a compound with digestive benefits
• Medicinal Use: Traditionally used to support digestion, relieve coughs, and as an anti-inflammatory
• Cultivation: Prefers warm, arid climates and well-draining soil
• Propagation: Grown from seeds, often planted in spring
• Worldwide Cultivation: Widely grown in India, Iran, and Egypt

They also help soothe irritating nerves, clear respiratory passage, cure migraine problems and reduce poisonous effects. These properties make Ajwain seeds a wonderful herb.