Super-Nutritious Ajwain Seeds and Its Health Benefits

Whenever you have tummy pain your grandmother or mom always puts some ajwain in your mouth for instant relief, isn’t it? Ajwain seeds or carom seeds are the main and essential spices in various Indian dishes. Ajwain is an herb originally grown in our very own country. It is also called ‘Ugragandha’ in Sanskrit as it has a very strong and pungent smell. The seeds are slightly olive green to brown and have a bitter and pungent flavor. It is commonly used in curries and pickles due to its peculiar aroma and health benefits.

Ajwain seeds possess many properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, and several such properties. The seeds as well as ajwain water contain numerous health benefits!  

Nutritional Properties of Ajwain

Ajwain is highly rich in vitamins and minerals such as niacin, thiamine, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. It also contains carbohydrates, fatty acids, fibers, proteins, and antioxidants. Ajwain seeds contain an essential oil named – thymol, which gives aromatic fragrances to seeds.

According to what I’ve observed, ajwain seeds contain a brown-coloured oil called ajwain oil, which makes up about 2–4.4% of the seeds. The main component of this oil is thymol, which is known for its potential use to tackle a decrease in appetite.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Health Benefits of Ajwain Seeds

Ajwain seeds have incredible health benefits. Some people may roast them to refine their flavor. You can also chew them raw or add them to water or tea to achieve their maximum benefits. The benefits of ajwain are numerous, you should just know how and when to use it.  

1. Promote Digestion and Relieve Stomach Problems

Ajwain seeds are the most effective home remedy for a stomach problem, it works magically. The active enzymes in ajwain help to boost your digestion by facilitating the release of gastric juices. It also helps to prevent and treat chronic indigestion problems such as gaseous distention, stomach pain, and uneasiness. Some studies suggest that ajwain seeds are great for stomach ulcers and intestinal ulcers.  

How to use – Take 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and 1 teaspoon of ajwain seeds and add 1/2 teaspoon of ginger powder to it. Take this mix with water daily to cure heartburn.

In the light of what I have seen, the ajwain seed offers various health benefits. It is known to help with abdominal tumours, abdominal pains, and piles.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

2. Fight Against Infection

Ajwain seeds have powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. The active compound of ajwain–thymol helps to inhibit bacterial growth and fungi such as  E. coli,  Salmonella, and  Candida albicans.  

3. Treats Common Cold and Cough

Ajwain works as a decongestant when used for cough and cold. Ajwain relieves the blocked nose by discharging the mucus easily. It has a great power to open up the clogged nasal passages. It also improves the airflow of the lungs hence very useful in asthma and bronchitis.  

How to use –  A few crushed ajwain seeds combine with little jaggery and chew them 2-3 times per day to cure a cold and cough. For a blocked nose, a tablespoon of crushed seeds is tied up in a cloth and used for inhalation.  

I may recommend trying carom ajwain seeds if you’re experiencing a migraine headache. Try wrapping carom seeds in tissue paper and give them a sniff. It might help reduce the intensity of your migraine.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

4. Enhance Good Cholesterol Levels

Ajwain seeds help to lower bad cholesterol and regulate good cholesterol levels. These seeds contain a high amount of dietary fiber and fatty acids that contribute to healthy levels of cholesterol.  

5. Reduce Blood Pressure

The thymol in the seeds helps to manage blood pressure. An animal study suggests that ajwain seeds also have a calcium channel-blocking effect. It prevents calcium from entering heart cells and blood vessel walls that help to lower blood pressure.

6. Relieve Joint Pains

Ajwain seeds possess two properties – anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. These properties may help to combat the symptoms of arthritis. It reduces the redness, swelling, and pain of joints. You can apply the ajwain seed paste on the affected joints or soak in a tub of hot water with a handful of ajwain seeds.

7. Cure Tooth and Ear Pains

Tooth and ear pains are the two severe types of pains among other pains. Ajwain oil acts magically on ear pain. For toothache, simply gargle with lukewarm water with ajwain seeds and a pinch of salt.

Ajwain Water Benefits

There are several ways of consuming ajwain, drinking ajwain water is one of the best ways. Ajwain water is very beneficial, particularly for women.  

You can make ajwain kadha by adding water and ajwain seeds to a pan. Boil it till it becomes half. Now take a glass and pass this mix through a sieve. Add lemon or apple cider vinegar, honey, and black salt. Stir it and sip it slowly.

1. Aids Weight Loss

Ajwain water is highly recommended in Ayurveda to manage weight. It helps to cleanse your digestive system and promote metabolism which leads to weight loss. To prepare ajwain water, roast 2 tablespoons of ajwain seeds and add it to boiling water. Stir this mixture till it changes its color to brown. Let it cool then and strain it before use. Drink this water daily for good results. You can add a tablespoon of honey for flavor.  

2. Useful for Females

Ajwain water helps to clean your uterus and stomach to regularise your periods. It also helps to cure the indigestion problem in pregnant women.  

3. Relive the Stomach Discomfort in Babies

Ajwain water can reduce the gaseous distention of the abdomen in babies and relieve discomfort.  

4. Coping with Respiratory Problems

Ajwain water is known to keep your lungs and pharynx clean so that there is no blockage. This effect is known as a bronchodilatory effect and can be especially helpful to those suffering from asthma. The spice water helps in relaxing the air passage and allows asthma patients to breathe better.

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