Carom Seeds (Ajwain): A Bitter Spice With Super Health Benefits

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The spice rack in an Indian kitchen is incomplete without the presence of these olive green seeds called carom seeds. The spice, with its pungent taste and aromatic smell, makes our savoury dishes complete. But, there is more to it than just that.

These magic pods are the handiest remedy your grandmother will fetch for many an ailments that you complain of.

The seeds from the plant Trachyspermum ammi are popularly known as Ajwain. A native of Egypt, the plants are now widely cultivated in India, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan and are used extensively in the Mediterranean and Indian dishes.

The fruits have been widely accepted as a herbal remedy in the traditional systems of medicine, like Persian system, for thousands of years.

Carrom Seeds: Nutritional Properties

1. Small they might be, but carom seeds are a mighty source of nutrients. It contains carbohydrates, fat and proteins, apart from a high dose of fibre, calcium, phosphorous, iron and nicotinic acid.
2. They are antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-filarial in nature.
3. Healing property: Anti inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, and analgesic
4. Digestive property: Carminative, anti-flatulent, digestive stimulant
5. They are bronchodilators
6. Galactagogue Hypolipidaemic
7. Diuretic
8. Antioxidant
9. Anthelmintic (effective against parasites)

Carom Seeds: Health Benefits

Carom Seeds For Better Digestion:

If an upset stomach is ruining your day, try popping in some carom seeds. These seeds, with its carminative properties, have been used since ancient times for indigestion, curing gastritis and fighting colic.

The main ingredient of the seeds is thymol, a compound that aids in gastrointestinal digestion. There was an increase in the secretion of gastric acid, enhanced activity of enzymes and production of bile seen when these seeds were consumed in the study subjects, as noted by a study.

Recipe: Add one teaspoonful of lightly roasted cumin seeds, carom seeds and some ginger powder. Mix it with some black salt. Take the mixture directly or take it with hot water thrice a day. Find good relief in a few days' time.

Carom Seeds For Fighting Cold:

Nothing can be more irritating than a runny nose and having to blow it every five minutes. Carom seeds are used during cold, as they help in expelling the mucus. Thanks to its broncho-dilating properties, it is also used for the treatment of asthma and bronchitis.

Recipe 1: Boil a teaspoon of carom seeds in water. Add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder. Mix honey and drink it twice in a day.

Recipe 2: A herbal tea made of ajwain, tulsi leaves, pepper and ginger can be refreshing and is a common home-made remedy.

Recipe 3: Try roasted and powdered ajwain seeds with buttermilk to get the phlegm out. Tasty too, isn't it?

Recipe 4: Tie a handful of seeds in a white cloth. Heat them in a frying pan. Keep it on the chest when warm. This could provide relief from asthma.

Carom Seeds For Inflammation:

Carom seeds have shown high anti-inflammatory potential. Plus, it has antispasmodic effect, which means it relieves us from spasm. There cannot be a better combination for inflammation and arthritis.

Recipe: Apply the paste of crushed seeds of carom on the swollen part. Soak the swollen part in warm water containing the oil.

Carom Seeds For Intestinal Worms

Ajwain seeds fight against specific worms by interfering in their energy metabolism. With this handy property, the seeds can help in expelling the intestinal parasites in human beings.

Carom Seeds: Other Health Benefits

1. Roasted and powdered ajwain seeds are added to milk and given to babies. It is believed to give relief from colic pain in babies.
2. Due to its galactagogue actions, nursing mothers are advised to eat it to increase their breast milk supply.
3. Seeds soaked in lemon juice overnight can help in reducing eosinophilia from blood.
4. Carom seeds appear in the medicine for sore throat. Ajwain seeds with clove and a pinch of black salt are chewed for relief.
5. Possessing antiseptic, antimicrobial and anesthetic properties, carom seeds can be used to clean wounds.
6. It strengthens liver and kidney.
7. They are effective in lipid-lowering action by decreasing the total cholesterol, triglyceride and lipid levels.
8. Women having irregular menstrual cycles are advised to take ajwain seeds, thanks to its oestrogen-like properties.
9. Prevents bad breath
10. They help prevent constipation due to the fibre content present in the seeds.

Carom Seeds: Side Effects

Taking three-six grams of carom seeds as a part of your daily diet can cause no harm at all. However, pregnant women are advised not to take it, as the seeds have shown oestrogen-like properties.

A study done in Uttar Pradesh in 1987 found that pregnant women used carom seeds as one of the ingredients in a mix for abortion. While abortion was unsuccessful in many cases, doctors feared congenital diseases in the unborn.

Eating carom seeds is also not advisable if you are suffering from mouth or stomach ulcers.