Carom seeds - Ajwain

What Is Ajwain (Carom) Seed?

Carom or Bishop weeds are other names for ajwain. It contains essential oil, which is made up of a variety of bioactive chemicals and hence has medical value. Ajwain is available all year round. The feathery leaves of the Ajwain plant. Ajwain seeds are the small, oval-shaped, pale yellow fruit of the plant Ajwain.

Ajwain seed resembles fennel and cumin in appearance. Ajwain has been used in Indian, African, and Middle Eastern cooking since ancient times, and it enhances the flavour of meals while also acting as a preservative in chutneys, pickles, and jams. They have a unique source of digestive fibres that aid in maintaining gut health.

It is a common spice in Indian household masala box. Dal tadka isn't complete without it. Did you know that ajwain is produced from a herb plant that originated in India? The seeds are olive green or brown in colour and have a powerful scent, which is why this herb is called Ugragandha in Sanskrit. Minerals, fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants abound in ajwain. To reap the advantages, eat it raw or combine it with water or tea.

Ajwain has a pungent, acrid odour and is known in Sanskrit as Ugragandha. Ajwain seeds are sprinkled over bread and biscuits in Afghanistan to provide perfume and flavour. Ajwain seeds are eaten raw or roasted because of their health advantages. Adding Ajwain to clarified butter is a frequent practice.

After chewing, the flavour of Ajwain is comparable to that of thyme. Ajwain seeds and spice powder are both accessible in supermarket stores. Ajwain has a number of health benefits that are covered in this blog.

Nutritional Component of Ajwain Seeds

Protein – 17.1%, Fats – 21.8%, Minerals – 7.8%, Fibre – 21.2%, Carbohydrate – 24.6% – Ajwain seeds and oil contain a lot of nutritional value. Calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, thiamine, iron, and niacin are also present. Ajwain seeds are hydrolyzed to produce an essential oil containing Thymol, gamma-terpinene, p-cymene, and 20% trace chemicals.

Uses & benefits

It is commonly used in India as a spice or folk treatment for various illnesses. It is a sort of spice Asafoetida - hing, Black pepper - kali mirch, Bay leaf - tej patta that can be found in practically every Indian kitchen and has a variety of uses.

There are other carom seed uses you may not be aware of that can aid increase its multi-purpose characteristics. 

1. Ajwain seeds include a variety of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components, thus bioactive extracts from the seeds can aid with skin irritation issues including acne and pimples. Ajwain seeds contain thymol and carvacrol, which inhibit the growth of germs and fungi. Acne scars can be lessened using ajwain powder supplements.
2. A few drops of Ajwain seed oil are enough to relieve earache. A lukewarm water mixture of Ajwain and salt is particularly beneficial for receiving quick relief from a toothache. For a hurting tooth, the vapours of burning ajwain seeds can be more beneficial. Thymol, a potent fungicide and germicide, is found in ajwain seeds, which is a vital bioactive component. As a result, ajwain seeds are crushed and put to skin ailments to provide relief.
3. Ajwain tea can help with diarrhoea, dysentery, indigestion and spasmodic pain. Indigestion is defined as pain and discomfort in the upper section of the stomach that persists. Indigestion is thought to be caused by a delay in stomach emptying. In rats, carom seed spice has been proven to speed up the passage of food through the stomach, which may aid in the relief of indigestion. 
4. The steam distillation process produces ajwain oil, which is particularly efficient in alleviating rheumatic pain and is consequently applied topically. For respiratory disorders including asthma and bronchitis, the combination of Ajwain and Ginger extract appears to be more beneficial.
5. Ajwain seed water is an excellent mouthwash that can help you keep your teeth clean. Drinking ajwain water on a regular basis will help you burn fat by speeding up your metabolism.
6. Carom seeds may help to decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Heart disease is linked to high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were all lowered with carom seed powder. Ajwain extracts include significant chemical components that inhibit calcium channels, potentially lowering blood pressure even more.
7. Ajwain extract is used to make methoxsalen. It comes in a variety of forms, including capsules and a topical cream for treating skin conditions like vitiligo (partial loss of skin pigmentation) and psoriasis. Ajwain is known for its medicinal and therapeutic properties.
8. Ajwain contains antibacterial characteristics, which aid in the reduction of redness and inflammation. They also have anaesthetic effects, which provide pain and swelling alleviation. To get relief, apply crushed ajwain seed paste to joints or soak in a tub of warm water with a handful of ajwain seeds in it.

Side effects

1. Bishop's Weed contains a chemical called Khellin, which causes the uterus to contract, making it dangerous for pregnant women. This can result in premature births or other complications during pregnancy.
2. If you have a liver condition and are taking drugs, you should consult your doctor. If you're taking a drug that has a side effect that affects your liver, carom seeds could make things worse. It is also advised to avoid this throughout the lactational time; however, the reason for this is unknown.
3. Avoid taking ajwain if you intend to have surgery or if you are currently having surgery. This causes your blood to clot more slowly, making you anaemic.
4. Additionally, if you take any drug that increases your sensitivity to sunlight, ajwain can raise your sensitivity even more, perhaps leading to sunburn.
5. Ajwain seeds contain bioactive chemicals that can cause mouth inflammation, leading to a burning sensation and mouth ulcers.

Organic Ajwain Carom Seeds serve various purposes as an Indian spice, including flavour, scent, and health benefits. Whether it's for adding texture to meals or providing a health and wellness canopy, it is usually good to acquire organic ajwain for your kitchen because it will serve you well if appropriately consumed.