Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi)
Ajwain botanical name is Trachyspermum ammi and also known as carom seeds, ajowan, thymol, caraway or bishop's weed. Ajwain is an annual herb belonging to the Apiaceae family. Humans consume both the leaves and the seedlike fruit of the plant.
Ajwain is primarily grown in India and Iran.
The small, oval shaped seeds of Ajwain have a bitter, pungent flavour that is reminiscent of anise and oregano. Because they contain thymol, they smell almost identical to thyme, but they are more aromatic and less delicate in flavour, as well as bitter and pungent. A dish's flavour is often dominated by a small number of fruits.
Culinary Uses of Ajwain
The fruits are usually dry-roasted or fried in ghee and are rarely eaten uncooked (clarified butter). As a result, the spice's scent becomes more nuanced and complex. Ajwain is widely used in Indian subcontinent cuisine, frequently as part of a chaunk/tarka, a spice mixture sometimes with a little minced garlic or onion cooked in oil or butter and used to season a dish after cocking. It's also a key component of the herbal medicine used there. The fruits are sprinkled over bread and pastries in Afghanistan.
Medicinal Uses of Ajwain
Ajwain possesses anti-disease qualities in humans, however there is little high-quality clinical evidence. Ajwain is available in capsules, liquids, and powders as a dietary supplement. A prescription medicine called methoxsalen (Uvadex, 8-Mop, Oxsoralen) is made from an extract of bishop's weed and is used to treat psoriasis, vitiligo repigmentation, and skin problems caused by cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Methoxsalen is only prescribed to people by skilled physicians due to its various interactions with disease-specific medicines.
Ajwain is utilised in herbal blends in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda on the idea that it can treat a variety of diseases.
Essential oils in Ajwain
The essential oil produced by hydrodistilling ajwain fruits contains thymol, gamma-terpinene, p-cymene, and more than 20 trace chemicals, the majority of which are terpenoids.
Health Benefits of Ajwain
Ajwain oil is a little amount of oil found in ajwain seeds. Thymol, a phenol that gives the fruit its thyme-like aroma, is present in the oil. Thymol is a herb that is widely used to alleviate stomach issues. Antifungal and antibacterial activities are also present.
The following are some of the health benefits of ajwain:
Good for Healthy Digestive System
Ajwain's active enzymes increase the flow of acids in stomach, which can aid with indigestion, bloating, and gas. Peptic ulcers, as well as lesions in the oesophagus, stomach, and intestines, can be treated with this plant.
Ajwain Prevents Infection
Many of the essential oils in ajwain, particularly thymol and carvacrol, can assist to prevent germs and fungi from growing. They may also aid in the fight against bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli, which can cause food poisoning and other digestive problems.
Arthritis Pain Relief
Ajwain also helps in the relief of pain and swelling in arthritis. To cure arthritic pain, make a paste out of crushed fruit and apply it to the skin around the joints. Alternatively, for a relaxing soak, fill your tub with warm water and a handful of seeds.
Blood Pressure Control
Thymol in ajwain has been shown in rats to help reduce blood pressure by preventing calcium from entering the blood arteries of the heart.
Relief from Cough and Congestion
Coughing can be relieved with ajwain, and mucus can be cleared from the nose, making breathing easier. It may also aid in the widening of the bronchial tubes, which is beneficial to asthmatics.
Toothache Treatment
Ajwain can help relieve toothache pain thanks to the anti-inflammatory qualities of thymol and other essential oils. Thymol may also aid in the improvement of oral health by combating germs and fungus in the mouth.
Side effects of Ajwain
Because of the potential for harm to foetal development, ajwain should not be used by pregnant women, and it is also discouraged while breastfeeding. Bishop's weed is hazardous when consumed in large amounts and can cause death if consumed in large numbers.
Conclusions
Mother Nature has created everything we need for our good health. Different types of medicinal plants are everywhere on the earth to fulfil our daily needs.
Ajwain is one of the medical plants, and it should be used in our daily diet in moderate quantity.
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