Ajwain seeds have a long history of use in Indian cooking. They are most commonly used as a seasoning in curries, but evidence shows that these seeds have remarkable medicinal benefits.
Ajwain seeds are in fact tiny fruits harvested from the Trachyspermum ammi (Carum Copticum) plant that belong to the family Apiaceae, also known as Umbelliferae. These are popularly known as Bishop’s weed, Carom seeds or Ajowan Caraway in other parts of the world
Wondering what Ajwain looks, tastes and smells like? These oval shaped seeds can easily be confused with cumin at first instance. Ajwain seeds are extremely aromatic with a strong and pungent flavor profile similar to oregano and thyme. In fact, ancient Indians used these seeds to make incense and perfumes.
Ajwain are small in size but pack a powerful punch. They are a rich source of essential nutrients such as fiber, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants making them an essential part of traditional Ayurvedic medicine.1
Here are 8 science-backed health benefits of Ajwain Seeds.
1. Keep bacterial and fungal growth at bay
Ajwain seeds are a natural way to kill bacteria and fungi. The oils in ajwain are rich in two phenols- thymol and carvacrol. There are several studies that demonstrate bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties of phenolic compounds.1, 2, 3
In an in-vitro study, Ajwain seeds were more effective than other solvents against multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria, fungi and Candida such as Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Streptococcus mutans.4
A recent study evaluated the efficiency of ajwain as a skin ointment in a mouse model of candidiasis . Ajwain successfully protected the mice against fungal infections when compared to clotrimazole – a standard prescribed drug for candida infections. This finding makes Ajwain a great novel candidate for treating fungal infections.5
Ajwain also impedes the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli- the strains that are notorious for causing food poisoning and other stomach related infections6, 7. It is for this reason that Ajwain could be an ideal choice for food preservation.
Ajwain seeds show remarkable antimicrobial activities in vitro and in animal studies. More research is needed to evaluate this effect in humans.
2. May help with weight management
Common among all populations, obesity is a risk factor that leads to significant increase in mortality, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cancer.
It is believed that a diet rich in Ajwain helps in maintaining a healthy weight. In a study done on high fat diet-induced obese rats, distillate from Ajwain seeds exhibited more potent anti-obesity effect than orlistat, a medication prescribed for weight loss8.
A recent review highlighted the role Ajwain in weight management that was demonstrated in human trials and some animal models as per Traditional Persian Medicine texts9.
The existing information on this subject is sparse. Nonetheless, Ajwain is one of the most popular natural remedies in Ayurveda to lose weight. You might as well try it!
3. Alleviates bloating, gas pain and constipation
Ajwain is widely used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to cure indigestion, colic, diarrhea and other stomach issues. Ajwain seeds have carminative properties, which means that they help to expel gas from the body and help with bloating. 10, 1 11
In a recent human trial, Ajwain was shown to be extremely effective against bloating compared to commonly prescribed medicine dimethicone 12, 13
In India, Ajwain water is often consumed by women during pregnancy and postpartum to help with indigestion and gastric issues. It can also be given safely to babies to release trapped gas and help with constipation.
4. Helps with Cough, Cold and Allergies
Ajwain has strong antitussive properties that help fight the symptoms of cough and allergies.1 It is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to ease the discomfort of a sore throat and cough.
A study done on guinea pigs demonstrated that Ajwain extracts relaxed tracheal chains and blocking histamine which helped in preventing cough14
In another study, Ajwain oil suppressed sneezing, nasal itching and nasal rubbing by downregulating levels of histamine and immune cells in a mouse of allergic rhinitis.15
While research in this area is scant and limited to animal studies, Ajwain is very promising when it comes to treatment of cough and cold.
5. Keeps the cholesterol in check
Ajwain fights the bad cholesterol in your body and lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.Furthermore, it helps to maintain the correct balance of good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL).
In a rabbit study, Ajwain powder lowered LDL ( bad cholesterol), total cholesterol and triglycerides 16.
In another study done on rats, Ajwain powder successfully reduced the levels of LDL, Triglycerides and total cholesterol accompanied with increased levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL)17
Animal studies suggest that Ajwain may help in keeping bad cholesterol in control. More in depth research is needed to substantiate existing data.
6. Antioxidant properties
It is said that a diet rich in antioxidants can help reduce the risk of developing certain health problems, including cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Ajwain is an excellent source of antioxidants and has been shown to have several beneficial effects on health 11, 1
Many in vitro studies have shown that essential oil extracted from Ajwain exhibits strong free radical scavenging properties 18, 19, 20
In a rat study, Ajwain was screened for its pharmacological activity. The results of this study revealed that Ajwain has strong antioxidant potential 21
While in vitro and some animal studies show that Ajwain has promising antioxidant properties, more research is needed in humans.
7. Helps with Inflammatory diseases
Inflammatory diseases are chronic conditions that further aggravate inflammatory responses in the body. They include diseases like arthritis, asthma, gastric ulcers and Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Ajwain reduces inflammation in the body and is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various inflammatory conditions 22, 23
In a study done on rats, Ajwain seed extract diminished peptic ulcers in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was likely due to the presence of thymol, the main active ingredient of these seeds 24
A research group recently generated nanoparticles using Ajwain extracts and demonstrated that these significantly reduced the severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis in mice 25
Ajwain seeds show remarkable protection and improve symptoms in several other Inflammatory diseases such as Ulcerative Colitis 26 and Asthma 27, 1. Based on the existing literature, Ajwain is a strong novel candidate for treatment of groups of inflammatory diseases.
8. Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain is often difficult to treat and may respond better to natural remedies. It is often caused by a malfunction in the nervous system and is often associated with diabetes, chemotherapy, or a spinal cord injury.
Common symptoms of neuropathic pain include pain, numbness, tingling, coldness, or muscle weakness in areas of the body that do not usually cause pain.
Ajwain may also have properties that reduce the perception of pain. In a randomized controlled trial, people with neuropathic pain received either a standard treatment or with ajwain topical cream for 4 weeks. The ajwain group had significantly lower pain scores, better quality of life, and improved sleep compared with the control group 28
While Ajwain is a strong candidate for treating neuropathy-related pain, more trials are needed to establish its safety and toxicity profile for use in humans.
The Last Word
Ajwain seeds are treasured in Ayurvedic medicine for their healing power. These humble seeds are tiny but full of essential nutrients.
From treating a simple cold to easing severe gas pain this spice can do it all.
Extensive research has been done to study the role of Ajwain in treating several diseases, more information is needed for their safe use in humans.
Ajwain is generally safe for everyone to consume. Daily consumption of Ajwain water is extremely beneficial. Ajwain seeds can also be eaten raw or added to soups and salads. So, incorporating this spice in your daily diet is definitely worthwhile.
