Indian Ayurveda has herbs like Black Pepper which are used in everyday life and are very beneficial for overall health. In Ayurveda, there is a herb that is commonly used in digestion problems and offers numerous health benefits and promotes overall well-being and health. This herb is Ajwain.
What is Ajwain ?
Ajwain botanically called “Carum copticum” is a herb that is used as a spice and a major ingredient in different types of medicines. Its seeds are small and have a hot, penchant, and bitter taste. It promotes appetite and aids in digestion and laxative and is used as an appetiser and is also helpful for conditions like piles, abdominal tumours, abdominal pain, vomiting, mouth diseases, etc.
It is also known by other names such as ajowan, caraway, bishop’s weed or carom seeds, asmtavoman in Tamil, vamu in Telugu and omum in Malayalam, and is widely used in Indian cuisine.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ajwain
What is Ajwain called in English?
It is called Carom seeds or Bishop’s weed in English.
What are the benefits of Ajwain ?
It is used in traditional Indian cuisine and Ayurvedic medicine. It possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects and is effective in treating peptic ulcers and reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Is Ajwain good for the stomach ?
Its active enzymes improve the flow of stomach acids, which can help to relieve indigestion, bloating, and gas.It can also help to treat peptic ulcers as well as sores in the oesophagus, stomach, and intestines.
Can we take Ajwain daily ?
Yes, it can be taken daily as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help in weight loss. It improves digestion by removing toxins from the body, cures stomach problems like constipation, gas, acidity etc.
Is Ajwain good for coughs and colds ?
Yes, it is good for coughs and colds as it works as an effective anti-coughing agent and provides instant relief from cough by enhancing the airflow to the lungs.
Benefits of Ajwain
Promotes Digestion
It is one of the key ingredients used in Indian cooking due to its amazing gut healing properties and also holds a prominent place in treating various digestive conditions like acidity, indigestion and flatulence. The active enzymes in it aids in promoting digestion by improving the secretion of gastric juices. Moreover, carom seeds extract is used to heal the sores of the oesophagus, stomach and intestine and treat peptic ulcers.
Fights Infection
The potential antibacterial and antifungal properties of it are attributed to the goodness of active compounds thymol and carvacrol which impede the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi. Its seeds are potent to battle against bacteria like E. coli and salmonella that causes food poisoning and other gastrointestinal conditions. Furthermore, it acts as a potent fungicide and germicide.
Maintains Blood Pressure
It is used in traditional medicine for controlling high blood pressure and its active plant enzyme thymol works as an effective calcium channel blocker. This averts calcium from entering blood vessels of the heart which relaxes and expands blood vessels thereby lowering blood pressure. It also exhibits antihypertensive properties that work well to control high blood pressure symptoms.
Good for skin
It is blessed with anti-inflammatory and curative properties and it is used for treating oxidative free radical damage due to the sun rays, and hence treats the various signs of ageing like wrinkles, fine line, spots, dark circles, etc. It is also extremely beneficial for lightening scars due to acne, pimples and bestows a smooth and glowing skin.
Helps in Arthritis
It has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which is extremely beneficial in reducing joint and muscle pain, thereby reducing the chances of chronic autoimmune inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis which stems from the vitiation of Vata Doshas.
Helps in cough and cold
It works as an effective anti coughing agent and provides instant relief from cough by enhancing the airflow to the lungs. It also clears the nasal blockage by discharging the mucus easily.
Conclusion
Ajwain, also called bishop’s weed, is a herb that is used as a spice and a major ingredient in different types of medicines. It is extensively cultivated in black soil. Its seeds are small yet have a hot, penchant, and bitter taste.
It promotes appetite and aids in digestion and laxative and is used as an appetiser and is also helpful for conditions like piles, abdominal tumours, abdominal pain, vomiting, mouth diseases, etc and it possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects and is effective in treating peptic ulcers and reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
