Ajwain (scientifical name – Trachyspermum Ammi Sprague), also known as Ethiopian cumin, carom, bishop’s wee, and wild parsley, is a herbaceous herb that vastly grows in Iran, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India and belongs to the family Apiaceae.
The seeds possess antispasmodic, stimulant, and carminative properties and are used as an important natural remedial agent for:
- amenorrhoea (the absence of menses in a woman of reproductive age);
- excessive flatulence;
- asthma;
- lack of appetite;
- atonic dyspepsia;
- bronchial problems;
- piles (swollen, inflamed veins in the anus);
- diarrhea;
- abdominal pains;
- abdominal tumors.
Chemical Composition
The principal constituents of the seeds are carvacrol and thymol. Vitamins and trace elements include:
- carbohydrates 24.6 percent;
- riboflavin (vitamin B2);
- dietary fiber 21.2 percent;
- thiamin (vitamin B1);
- fat 21.8 percent;
- nicotinic acid (vitamin B3);
- protein 17.1 percent;
- carotene;
- zinc;
- calcium;
- phosphorus;
- chromium;
- manganese;
- iron;
- iodine;
- copper;
- cobalt.
Health Benefits of Carom Seeds
Weight Loss
Obesity is a costly and common health issue which increases the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and cancer.
In the present day, more than 1 in 10 humans are obese worldwide. In the US, an estimated 36% of adults are obese. Luckily, these seeds fasten the bowel movement and are rich in dietary fiber, hence, they help in weight loss.
Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and can affect one joint or multiple joints. Over 55 million adults in the US have received a diagnosis of some form of arthritis, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The most frequent forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (a type of joint disease which results from the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone), fibromyalgia (a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body), gout (the buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint), and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease which causes chronic joint inflammation).
Carom seeds have anesthetic properties which soothe the swelling and pain as well as antibiotic attributes which combat inflammation and reduce redness.
The Common Cold
A cold is a viral infection of the throat and nose. It may last for about one week, however, some colds last longer, particularly in seniors, children, and people in poor health (like those with a weakened immune system by HIV/AIDS or chemotherapy).
In the United States, the common cold results in around 24 million days of absence from work and 27 million days of missed school every year.
Symptoms include:
- a cough;
- a runny nose;
- scratchy throat;
- congestion;
- weakened senses of smell and taste;
- sneezing.
Eating carom seeds during the common cold can help cure a cold faster by helping to eliminate the phlegm.
Gray Hair
As we age, our hair naturally starts to lose some of its color. Although there is no scientific support, it is possible that certain lifestyle practices may affect changes in your hair coloring.
The high mineral and antioxidant content can help stimulate the health of the hair, keeping you looking young for years.
Candida Overgrowth
Candida albicans is part of our natural microflora, the microorganisms which live on or in our bodies. However, when Candida albicans starts to grow uncontrollably, it can cause candidiasis, a type of fungal infection.
Factors which can cause the population of Candida to grow out of control include:
- taking a round of antibiotics which killed too many of the healthy gut bacteria;
- eating a diet high in junk foods, such as – hot dogs, French fries, onion rings, cakes, doughnuts, burritos, hamburgers, pancakes, mayonnaise, margarine, fried chicken;
- living a high-stress lifestyle;
- consuming a lot of alcoholic beverages;
- smoking tobacco;
- taking oral contraceptives.
According to a 2016 study published in International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research, an extract from carom seeds is an effective inhibitor of growth and biofilm formation in Candida albicans.
Abdominal Pain
Ajwain seeds are considered a traditional medicine for relieving abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is a type of pain which occurs between the pelvic and chest regions. Symptoms associated with abdominal pain may include:
- pelvic discomfort;
- bloating;
- heartburn;
- belching;
- chest discomfort;
- excessive intestinal gas;
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (the long-term, regular occurrence of acid reflux);
- diarrhea;
- indigestion;
- constipation;
- discomfort in the lower right or left abdomen; middle; or upper right or left.
A traditional remedy of caroms seeds for abdominal pain is to make an infusion using 2 teaspoons of bruised seeds to 570 ml cold water in a small pan.
Kidney Disease
These seeds can also be useful to reduce and treat the pain caused by kidney disease. Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are damaged in some way and are not filtering the blood effectively. Some symptoms include:
- hypertension;
- a change in the quantity and frequency of urine you pass, particularly at night;
- burning or pain when you pass urine;
- pain in your back;
- blood in your urine;
- puffiness around the ankles and legs;
- changes in the appearance of the urine.
Acne Scars
Acne scars are the result of inflamed blemishes that are caused by skin pores engorged with excess dead skin cells, oil, and pathogenic bacteria.
The most common types of acne scars include the following:
- lumpy and thick scars (hypertrophic scars);
- flat, thin, and depressed scars (atrophic scars);
- broad scars with sharp edges (boxcar scars);
- broad, depressed scars with slanting edges (rolling scars);
- narrow, deep, and pitted scars (ice-pick scars).
For the treatment of acne scars, apply a paste of grounded carom seeds mixed with warm water on the affected area for about twenty minutes and then rinse with water. Repeat this three times per day.
Tea
Place 1 tsp of grounded seeds in a mug. Fill the mug with boiling water.
Substitute
Dried oregano, a flowering plant in the mint family, has one of the strongest flavors.
Biscuits Recipe
Ingredients
- 50 grams blackstrap molasses;
- 200 grams plain flour;
- 100 grams salted butter;
- ½ tsp baking powder;
- 50 grams dark brown sugar;
- ½ tsp grounded ajwain seeds;
- ½ tsp cinnamon;
- ½ tsp ground ginger.
Method
- Sift the flour, baking powder, carom seeds, cinnamon, and ginger into a mixing bowl. Add the blackstrap molasses and dark brown sugar and mix well.
- Add the butter. Rub together the ingredients until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Heat oven to 200C. Bake the biscuits for about 10 mins, then leave to cool. Enjoy!
Contraindications & Side Effects of Ajwain Seeds
It is recommended to avoid the intake of these seeds if you have constipation with little lumps of the stools since they may cause more hardness and dryness of the fecal matter. In addition, it is best to avoid ajwain if you have the following conditions:
- mouth ulcer (canker sore);
- ulcerative colitis (an inflammatory disease which affects the rectum and large intestine);
- internal bleeding;
- stomach ulcer (painful sores in the stomach lining).
Otherwise, these seeds are safe for human consumption with exception when consumed in an excess amount (over 10g per day). In this case, possible side effects include:
- canker sore;
- a burning sensation;
- increased stomach acidity.
Pregnancy
Eating these seeds in the correct measures during pregnancy is considered safe.
Sources https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262001210_An_Overview https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3358968/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/ajwain https://biomedres.us/pdfs/BJSTR.MS.ID.001240.pdf