Charaka, Sushruta, Galen, Dioscorides – just to mention a few names – all ancient physicians had recognised ajwain’s use as a carminative medicine. There are two varieties of Ajwain: one with longer seeds and the other with small ones. The latter is preferred as a medicine.
Ajwain has been traditionally used for the treatment of dyspepsia, diarrhoea, flatulence, indigestion and spasmodic disorders.
Omum-water, distilled from the seeds, is used to treat various stomach ailments. It is administered in the early stages of cholera, in doses of 1 to 2 ounces, to check vomiting. There was a great rush for ajwain when Gujarat was rocked by a suspected cholera-wave recently.
Ajwain, for a long time has remained the chief source of thymol. The aqueous solution of thymol is an excellent mouth wash.
The so-called ajwain seeds are actually the fruits of the plant. They are often used in combination with asafoetida, rock-salt and myrnbalan.
In home remedies, ajwain seeds are used in the form of decoction, aqua or essential oil.
Ajwain: A Profile
Latin Name: Trachyspermum ammi
English Name: Bishop’s weed
Indian Names: Ajwain, Ayamodakam, Omum, Jawind, Ajamoda
Family: Umbelliferae
Appearance: Small, erect annual herbs with soft fine hairs. Leaves feather-like. Fruits are strong-smelling, small, egg-shaped and grey in colour
Distribution: Cultivated throughout India
Ajwain: How to use it
| Ailment | Prescription |
| Sexual debility | Fry equal quantity of ajwain seeds and the kernel of tamarind (Imli) seeds in ghee. Powder and store in a dry, cool place. Mix 1 tsp of this powder in a glass of milk. Add 1 tbsp honey. Drink daily at bed time. |
| Flatulence, lack of appetite (Also recommended for disorders relating to liver, stomach or intestines) | Soak 50 gm ajwain seeds in lime juice. Then dry in shade. When dry, powder along with a little black salt. Take 2 to 3 gm of this mixture twice daily with warm water. (This treatment is more effective when fats and spices are avoided.) |
| Common cold, congested chest | Add 1/2 tsp of powdered ajwain seeds plus 1 tsp of turmeric powder to 1/2 litre of boiling water. Cool. Take about 30 ml of this along with 1 tsp of honey for a few days. |
| Gas problems, indigestion, gastralgia (pain in stomach due to gas), repeated belching, colic pains, pain in the abdomen around the navel | Powder 10 gm each of ajwain seeds and dried ginger(sonth). Add a little black salt. Take 2 to 3 gm of this mixture frequently with warm water. (This treatment is more effective when all types of solid food are avoided for 24 hrs.) |
| Earache | Add 1/2 tsp of ajwain seeds to 30 ml boiling milk. Cool. Filter. Use as ear-drops. |
| Earache, boils inside the ear | Heat 2 tsp mustard oil. Add 1/ 2 tsp ajwain seeds and one or two pearls of crushed garlic. Boil till this becomes red. Filter. Use as ear-drops. |
| Migraine | Roll some ajwain seeds in a tissue paper. Light it and smoke like a cigarette. |
| Kidney-pain, renal colic | Powder 20 gm black cumin seeds (syah zeera), 10 gm ajwain seeds and 5 gm black salt. Add a little vinegar. Take a 3 gm dose of this mixture every hour till relieved from the pain. (Note: Don’t prolong this treatment for more than a day at a stretch.) |
| Respiratory problems due to blockage of dried phlegm | Crush 2 tsp ajwain seeds. Drink in a glass of butter milk. |
| Asthma, bronchial problems | Roll a fistful of ajwain seeds in a cotton cloth. Tie in a bundle and heat on a tawa. When bearably hot apply on chest and neck. |
| Cough | Powder 1/2 tsp ajwain seeds, 2 cloves and a pinch of salt. Take frequently with sips of warm water. |
| Nasal congestion in children | Crush a fistful of ajwain seeds. Tie in a cotton napkin and place it near the pillow. |
| Common cold, nasal congestion | Add some crushed ajwain seeds to a pan of boiling water. Inhale the vapours frequently. |
| Fainting, giddiness | A hot poultice of ajwain seeds used as a dry fomentation for hands and feet |
| Loss of appetite | Powder equal quantity of ajwain, fennel, dried ginger, salt and caraway seeds. Take 1 tsp of this powder with boiled rice and ghee. |
References
Srivastava, K.C. 1988. “Extract of a spice-Omum (Trachy spermum ammi) anti-aggregatory effects and alters arachidonic acid metabolism in human platelets. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes Essent. Fatty Acids: 33(1):1, Chem.Abstr., 1988, 10912745.
Dikshit, A and A. Hussain, 1984. “Anti-fungal action of some essential oils against animal pathogens.” Filoterapia, 555(3) : 171