Health benefits of Ajowan or Ajwain

Health benefits of Ajwain Seeds

Some benefits of ajwain seeds are discussed below:

Indigestion and related disorders

Modern lifestyles and dietary practices tend to increase flatulence in our digestive tracts. Three commonly used spices effective over flatulence are: Ajwain, Fennel seeds and Cumin seeds. In India, Ajwain seeds are used as a home remedy for indigestion. Ajwain stimulates appetite and enhances digestion. It has anti acidic properties. Regular chewing of Ajwain seeds provides relief from stomach upset and gas. Many Ayurvedic medicines use Ajwain seeds for curing indigestion and flatulence.

Ajwain as Antiseptic

Ajwain is used as an antiseptic. It is used for cleaning wounds and treating skin infections. Thymol in Ajwain seeds, is known as a strong germicide, anti-spasmodic and fungicide. Oil of Ajwain is also used in toothpaste and perfumery. Ajwain leaves can be crushed and applied on infections.

Ajwain as Antibacterial seed

ajwain seeds carom seed

Ajwain seeds is also used in prevention of bad breath. Thymol from Ajwain seeds is also used in various mouth wash. Regularly chewing of Ajowan seeds along with fennel seeds prevents bad breath.

Home remedy for Cholera

1-3 drops of Ajwain oil is useful in cholera, diarrhoea. Water boiled with Ajwain seeds is given to check vomiting in early stages of cholera.

Relieve Body Aches

Aroma from crushed ajowan seeds provides relief in heavy colds and migraine headaches. The oil of Ajwain is used in eardrops for earaches. Some body massage oil also contains ajwain oil.

Muscle Spasm

Ajowan has anti spasmodic properties, mainly due to presence of thymol, and is used for treating colic and griping pains, asthma, muscle spasms, cramps, rheumatism, arthritis and edema. The seeds are thought to relax the uterus and provide relief from menstrual cramps.

Home remedy on pain

The paste of Ajwain seeds was used over insect bites, as it has pain killing properties.

Ajwain for Kidney and Liver disorders

Several Ayurvedic medicines have Ajwain as it provides relief in kidney and liver disorders, stomach problems, etc. It is found in some studies that regular chewing of Ajwain can reduce craving of alcohol and effective for people who want to get rid of alcohol.

Treat Respiratory disorder

Ajwain is used for treating respiratory infections, asthma. People suffering from asthama should chew Ajowan regularly followed by drinking warm water early in the morning. You can also heat ajwain seeds on a hot pan and inhale the fumes coming out. This helps in removal of nasal congestion. Another home remedy on cold or alternative for nasal inhaler is to take some seeds in your handkerchief, so as to make a bulb of handkerchief filled with ajwain; rub this against your hands and press it against your nostril. Rubbing releases fumes of essential oil from ajwain.
Other less known medicinal uses of Ajwain / Ajowan seeds are given below:

Remedy for Pimples

Paste prepared by grinding Ajwain seeds with curd, is found effective over pimples and acne.

Post natal care and Ajwain

Water boiled with Ajwain is given to mothers for a week after delivery. Ajwain water is supposed to have body cleanse action.

Weight loss due to Ajwain

When you search health benefits of Ajwain on internet, you would also find benefits of ajwain for weight loss. However, Ajwain has nothing to do with weight loss. It just aids in digestion and helps to relieve from stomach upset or indigestion.

Best way to eat Ajwain Seeds

Best way to eat Ajwain is directly chewing. While chewing, saliva mixes with Ajwain, which together helps in healthy digestion. However, people often complain that ajwain seed sticks in between their teeth or the seeds are too hot for them. In such case one can try out Ajwain Water. Ajwain tea is form of herbal tea which is popular as well.

How to make Ajwain water or Omum water?

Add 5 teaspoon of ajwain seed per liter of water. Heat the water at low flame, let it simmer for few minutes. You would find water turning golden brown in colour. Stain the water to remove the seeds.
Do not throw away the stained seeds. You may wish to dry them and eat them later or use it as manure for your garden plants.
You may add some lemon or organic honey for flavor and natural taste. This herbal ajwain water can be drank cold or warm.

Benefits of Ajwain Water

Drinking ajwain water or omum water is a good for healthy digestion and keeping away bloating, flatulence. Ajwain water is especially useful for nursing mother or women recovering after pregnancy. It is natural tonic and stimulates secretion of digestive juices. It also promotes lactation in nursing mothers. Often for breastfeeding mother, benefits of food are passed on to their feeding infant. Drinking of ajwain water also helps prevent bloating, gas or stomach aches in infants. In India, diluted ajwain water is fed to small children for its health benefits. It is believed that drinking ajwain water also helps cleanse uterus. Ajwain water is also useful in case of dysentery, cholera or nausea.
Another way to enjoy benefits of ajwain water is to just add some seeds to your daily water, without heating or straining. No problem if you find some seeds in your mouth while drinking.

How to make Ajwain Tea?

There are several variants of making Ajwain herbal tea. One basic way is heating great ayurvedic herbs in water.
A. Add ajwain seeds, holy basil or tulsi, some turmeric powder, fennel seeds and cardamom to water. Heat the water till the water reduces to half. Strain water to remove herbs. Drink this herbal tea when warm.
B. If you are tea fan, just add some cardamom and ajwain seeds while making tea. Ajwain offers some bitter and hot flavour to tea, but is good on cold and cough.