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Ajwain : Health Benefits, Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

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By NS Desk 13-Oct-2020

Ajwain

Ajwain is a part of the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family of plants. This plant's fruits are often referred to as seeds and are oval in shape and are in blackish-brown color. Ajwain can be used for cooking and medicinal purposes. In Africa, India, and the Middle East, people have been using Ajwain for medicinal purposes and cooking. Even now, you will see that many households have a bottle or a packet of Ajwain stuffed away in some corner of the house.

Ajwain is an immediate remedy for flatulence, which is one of the biggest problems after eating Indian food for many people. Ajwain is also known to have the ability to lower the blood pressure of a person. Along with these benefits, they also can increase the airflow to your lungs, which can be very beneficial to your overall health.

Many people suffering from constipation also take Ajwain as it has many laxative properties that can ease the whole digestion process and relieve you from stress. Ajwain Churna is one of the most famous forms of ingestion, and many people have made it a habit of taking this churna when their stomach is upset or is acting weird.

Ajwain Origins

The early findings of this plant were from Iran and Turkey. The plant has become global due to its medicinal traits and was exported to many other countries, including India. People have discovered that the plant can not only be used for cooking but also medicinal purposes. Now, it is grown around river banks in India, the Middle East, and Africa.

Benefits of using Ajwain for medical treatments

The history of this plant has shown that it has cured many people suffering from many health-related problems. Acidity and indigestion are such problems that many people suffer, and taking Ajwain can solve those problems. The enzymes present in Ajwain encourages to have a clean and smooth digestion process. Ajwain is actually very effective when it comes to digestion, as it helps release gastric juices that can ease digestion.

Ajwain helps in treating respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and asthma. Even if you are suffering from cold and cough, you can take Ajwain as an alternative to other mainstream medicines. Ajwain unblocks the nasal passages and lets you breathe with ease. If you ever get cut or have an external injury, then do not worry; Ajwain can heal that too. You have to apply a paste of it to the injury, and you will see that the healing process is accelerated.

As you can see, Ajwain has many benefits, and sometimes even it has an immediate effect on the problem, and sometimes you have to take Ajwain in various forms for it to work. But either way, Ajwain can be used to treat many health-related issues. You can even use Ajwain as a mosquito repellant, one of the weirdest uses of this plant, and yet very effective.

Treating health-related problems with Ajwain

● Lowers Blood pressure

Scientific view : Many researchers believe that Ajwain has a calcium-blocking agent called thymol that prevents calcium from entering your heart cells, expands your blood vessels, and lowers your blood pressure.

Ayurvedic view : Ajwain or carom seeds decrease your blood pressure, but they aren't as effective as other alternatives present in the current market.

● Relief from your stomach ailments

Scientific view : Ajwain has many antibacterial properties that help you cure stomach problems like flatulence, diarrhea, and indigestion. Ajwain does very well against such disorders that may affect your health.

Ayurvedic view : Ajwain can give you immediate relief from indigestion and other problems related to digestion.

● Treats cold and cough

Scientific view : Ajwain or carom seeds have a very sharp reaction against cold or cough. They help you unblock your blocked nasal passages and give you relief. Ajwain is a good handy alternative to other tablets or syrups you use when you have a cold.

Ayurvedic view : Ajwain can help you relieve sinus stress and help you out when your body is fighting against a cold. When suffering from a cold, you must take Ajwain regularly to see fast and good results.

● Heals injuries like scars, bruises, cuts, etc.

Scientific view : The thymol present in carom seeds or Ajwain is very rare and effective against other foreign bodies. Ajwain kills germs and can help you heal your external injury rapidly. They also help reduce inflammation around the wound that can be very irritating.

Ayurvedic view : Ajwain does a good job when it comes to healing wounds. You must apply a paste of carom seeds to your injury for results. When you are injured, you can immediately wash your injury with carom seeds water.

● Can help you against grey hair

Scientific view : Minerals like Iron and calcium are very important for your hair to be black and healthy, and when you do not get those minerals, your hair fades into a grey color. Ajwain has iron and calcium, so it will help you fight against grey hair.

Ayurvedic view : Ajwain can help your hair turn black and hence prevent it from turning grey. To apply it, you must curry leaves, raisins, sugar, and a teaspoon of carom seeds in water and cook them for a few minutes and drink it. It would be best if you did this once a day for a month, and then you will see the results.

● Eases arthritis pain

Scientific view : Ajwain works like magic when it comes to relieving pain. Ajwain or carom seeds have an anti-inflammatory property that relieves any kind of pain, and it also reduces the redness found on the skin.

Ayurvedic view : If a person has arthritis, then he/she can be given Ajwain to reduce the pain they feel.

● Weight loss

Scientific view : Stomach problems are one reason why many people are overweight, which can be controlled by taking Ajwain on a scheduled basis. Ajwain will clear up your stomach by smoothly helping you remove all the toxins from your body.

Ayurvedic view : Obesity is mainly because of the accumulation of fat tissues in the body. Ajwain improves the metabolism of a person, which directly affects the weight of the person. As metabolism is improved, the weight is also controlled.

● Improves dental health

Scientific view : Carom seeds or Ajwain has many antimicrobial properties that can help you maintain your dental health and reduce the risk of any oral diseases that you usually inflict if you do not take Ajwain.

Ayurvedic view : Ajwain is completely natural, and it has many healing factors in it that can help you improve and maintain your teeth.

Types of Ajwain and their recommended dosages

Ajwain can be used for many purposes that can be very beneficial to human health, but it is not enough to know the advantages of using Ajwain; you should also know how to use it for best results. Many people do not know how to use Ajwain to solve their problems, and hence their problems never get solves. The right amount of dosages with the right schedule can truly bring you the results that you are expecting. The following are the recommended dosages of Ajwain that you can take:

Ajwain leaves - Ajwain leaves can be used by you to get rid of skin infections. Firstly you need to take the Ajwain leaves paste and mix it well with some honey. After you are done, mixing applies it to the inflicted area. You can see the results.

Ajwain oil - Ajwain oil is a very interesting form of Ajwain because of the numerous benefits it brings to the table. The oil quantity would be to take around 2-3 drops of the oil, mix it with some coconut oil and apply it to your scalp. Doing this thrice a week can help you fight against dandruff.

Ajwain water - Ajwain water can be very beneficial to your overall health even when you aren't suffering from health issues. Firstly take a teaspoon of Ajwain seeds and add them to a cup of lukewarm water. Let it rest overnight, and then you can drink it. Drinking this can cleanse your whole system. In other words, doing this can help you fight against diarrhea, indigestion, and flatulence, and Ajwain has proven to be very effective against stomach ailments.

Which parts of Ajwain are used for medicinal purposes?

It is a common fact that Ajwain is used in cooking to bring a new dimension to the food. And by now, you must have figured it out that it can also be used for medicinal purposes. Let's get into what parts of Ajwain are used to solve health issues. Many people get confused between Ajwain seeds and their fruits. Firstly, the seeds that everyone talks about are the plant's fruits that look like a seed.

These seeds are used to take make a paste or even used directly for medicinal purposes. The leaves of this plant are boiled with water and made into a concoction that can be a quick remedy to cold or cough. The seeds are also mixed with some lukewarm water to get rid of flatulence and other stomach ailments that can be troubling.

It doesn't matter if you take the leaves or the seeds as long as you take them correctly, you can see Ajwain's results as they do wonders against many health-related issues. Ajwain is a cheap and good alternative against common health issues that trouble most of the population compared to other expensive medicines.

Side effects of Ajwain

Many people are not compatible with Ajwain's chemical structure, and as a result, they may have an allergic reaction towards it if they come in contact with it. If the allergic person comes in contact with Ajwain, then she/he might experience rashes in that area or even have a runny nose. In extreme cases, Ajwain can damage the liver and even harm the retina of the person. So, before taking Ajwain in any form to solve your health-related issue, make sure that you aren’t allergic to it as it can lead to other problems.

What are the precautions one must take when using Ajwain?

Ajwain is very beneficial to health, and there's no doubt about it, but there are some precautions that you should take before administering Ajwain. If you ignore or take these precautions for granted they it may lead to other severe health problems. So, take a look at the precautions that you are supposed to take before using Ajwain:

During Pregnancy - Pregnancy is a very delicate time for the mother and the child, and you cannot take any risks with this. Ajwain can cause Uterine contractions that may lead to a miscarriage of the baby. So, it is a mandatory step to consult a doctor before a pregnant woman uses Ajwain.

People suffering from Liver diseases - Do consult a doctor before taking Ajwain as it can worsen the situation of your liver if you are already suffering from any liver problem.

Allergic reaction - Ajwain is not everyone’s cup of tea. It can cause an allergic reaction to your body when it comes to contact with you. So, either consult a doctor or apply the Ajwain on a small area to see if there is any allergic reaction. An allergic reaction can trigger nausea, vomiting, and headache; hence it is better to know before taking Ajwain.

Breastfeeding - There isn't much evidence to prove its effects on a woman or the baby while breastfeeding do it is not recommended to take Ajwain during breastfeeding.

While a surgery - You shouldn’t take Ajwain while, before, or after surgery as it can complicate things. Keep at least a gap of 14 days before and after your surgery before you take Ajwain.

When applying to the skin - Ajwain is hot in potency, so it is advised you mix Ajwain with honey before applying it to your skin.

FAQs

● What is the Ajwain oil used for?

Scientific view : Ajwain oil consists of thymol, which is a great disinfectant and works well with injuries or scars. The oil is very effective against fungal infections and muscle spasms. Thymol is also used commercially in toothpaste.

Ayurvedic view : Ajwain oil is most beneficial to your muscles, especially if you have muscle spasms; it does well against it. The oil can also help you maintain your skin as the oil has many antibacterial properties that can make your skin much better.

● Can Ajwain help lose weight?

Scientific view : Ajwain improves your overall digestion process as it removes all the toxins and other unnecessary substances present in your body. With better digestion, there won't be any collection or accumulation of fat issues, and hence using Ajwain can help you control your weight.

Ayurvedic view : Obesity is s a very common problem, and many people go for advanced techniques to lose weight, but Ajwain is a completely natural solution to this problem. You must take Ajwain regularly to lose weight. Once you adopt a schedule, you can see the results for yourself.

● Should Ajwain be taken during pregnancy?

It is a straight no. Ajwain shouldn't be taken when you are pregnant as it can complicate the pregnancy and even lead to the baby's miscarriage. So, do not take Ajwain during pregnancy but the least you should do is consult a doctor.

● Is Ajwain a good alternative to other costly medicines?

Yes, Ajwain is definitely a good alternative to other expensive medicines that you buy to solve your health issues. Ajwain does brilliantly well against problems like diarrhea, flatulence, etc. You can almost see the immediate results when you use Ajwain. Also, even if you do not have any stomach ailment, you can have Ajwain to better your digestion process. Ajwain eases your digestion process and doesn’t give you much discomfort.

● Where can I buy Ajwain?

Ajwain can be used for cooking and medicinal purposes, and because it is used for cooking, it can be available in any grocery store. Still, if you can't find it, then there's always the online option, which saves your time and sometimes even money.

● What are the guidelines to store Ajwain?

Ajwain won't be as effective if it is stored in a wet place. Ensure you store Ajwain in a dry, cool area where it isn't much exposed to the sun. Also, do not forget to close the lid of the container tightly as the oxygen can ruin the Ajwain over time when exposed.

● Will I have any allergic reactions with Ajwain?

In most cases, you won't have any allergic reactions when you contact Ajwain, but just to be sure, apply a little bit of it on your skin and see if there are any reactions. Allergic reactions can be rashes, irritation, etc. It can get severe and damage your liver too. So, make sure you aren’t allergic to it before using it.

Disclaimer - The aim of the article is just to convey information to you. Use any medicine, therapy, herb or fruit please do it under the guidance of a qualified Ayurveda doctor.