It
is a common sight in India to see mothers and grandmothers handing out
ajwain seeds to family members who have an upset stomach. Carom seeds or
bishop's weed also known as ajwain is a
common herb found in Indian households and is well known for properties
that make it one of the most used home remedies. But other than being a
good digestive aid, it has a number of other health benefits. Here are
some of them:
HEALTH BENIFITS OF AJWAIN - Trachyspermum ammi,
commonly known as ajowan or ajwain, bishop's weed, ajowan caraway, carom
seeds, or thymol seeds,or vaamu in Telugu or omam Tamil is a plant of
India, Pakistan and the Near East whose seeds are used as a spice.
1. Beat indigestion and flatulence:
Ajwain is packed with tahymol. In fact it's the only plant in the
world with the highest amount of thymol. This chemical is very effective
in helping the stomach release gastric juices that speed up digestion.
It is known to help in cases of indigestion, flatulence, nausea and
relieve colicky pain in babies. Tip: Boil a teaspoon of the seeds in a
cup of water till it is reduced to half, strain and drink this water for
instant relief. Another good remedy for nausea is to take a teaspoonful
of the seed and wrap it in a beetle leaf. Place this at the back of the
mouth and swallow the juice slowly till as long as the leaf is intact.
2.Improves digestion when your're pregnant or lactating:
Due to its great anti-inflammatory and curative properties, ajwain is
great for pregnant and lactating mothers. It helps to improve digestion,
ward off constipation due to pregnancy and strengthens the muscles that
make up the floor of the uterus. After pregnancy ajwain is known to
heal the woman's body internally, reduce inflammation and helps maintain
good circulation. In some cultures it is also believed to improve the
production of milk in lactating mothers. Tip: It is important that
mothers-to-be do not eat too much of this seed. The seed is known to
increase the heat causing pitta levels in the body and can cause
problems with the pregnancy.
3. Relieves cough and asthma:
The thymol, present in ajwain makes it a great local anaesthetic,
anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. It is known to relieve congestion due to
formation of phlegm even in severe cases. Tip: Crush a few seeds of
ajwain, mix it with jaggery and eat the mixture like a toffee. Another
quick method is to tie it in a soft cloth and heat the bundle over a
warm tawa. Apply this warm bundle over the chest to relieve congestion
immediately.
4. Helps ease rheumatic and arthritic pain:
Due to its anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic properties, ajwain is a
good way to get rid of pain due to rheumatism and arthritis. Try soaking
your aching joints in a basin of warm water with a few seeds of ajwain.
Alternatively you could crush the seed and apply the paste on the
affected area for instant relief.
5. Instant relief from earache:
Due to its antiseptic properties ajwain mixed with garlic and sesame
oil provides instant relief from earache due to boils. If a person is
suffering from earaches due to congestion, a good remedy is to heat
ajwain with milk. Putting a few drops of either of the mixtures in the
ear can help relieve pain and discomfort.
6. Keeps the heart healthy:
Due to the presence of niacin and thymol along with other vitamins,
ajwain is very good in maintaining heart health. It has properties that
improve nerve impulses and overall circulation within the heart. Tip:
Have ajwain boiled in hot water on an empty stomach regularly to keep
heart disease at bay.
7. Cures hiccups instantly:
As
mentioned earlier, ajwain has properties that help reduce inflammation
and soothes irritated nerves. Because of this, it is a great remedy to
stop hiccups instantly. Have a few raw ajwain seeds with a few sips of
water and watch your hiccups vanish instantly.
8. Remedy for acidity:
Since it helps improve digestion, ajwain also helps in relieving
acidity. The thymol content helps release stomach acids which helps
reduce the regurgitation of acids. Tip: Mix one teaspoon of ajwain with
one teaspoon of jeera (cumin) and boil them in a glass of water. The
solution should have a golden colour. Drink this whenever there is an
attack of acidity for instant relief.
9. Relieves pain due to migraines:
Sniffing the fumes of ajwain or applying its paste on the head helps
relieve the pain due to migraines. When the seed is burned or crushed
into a poultice, it releases its essential oils high in thymol content,
this gives it a pain relieving effect.
(with thanks : Ms. Bharati Bhattacharyya, for her update in 'Food And Medicine')
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