5 Amazing Health Benefits of Carom Seeds (Ajwain)
Carom seeds possess numerous health benefits. Check details here.
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Carom seeds, also known as Ajwain, are the fruit of the Trachyspermum ammi herb and a staple in Indian cuisine. These small, seed-like fruits, which are slightly green to brown have a pungent, bitter taste and a distinctive aroma similar to thyme. While often referred to as seeds, carom seeds are the fruit of the Ajwain plant.
Prized for their nutritional value, carom seeds are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and various vitamins and minerals. Traditional Indian medicine has long recognized these benefits, incorporating carom seeds into various healing practices, including Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine. These healing systems emphasize that overall health and wellness depend on a balance of body, mind, and spirit.
Ajwain, the plant from which carom seeds are derived, belongs to the Apiaceae family, which includes celery, caraway, coriander, fennel, parsley, and parsnips. The seeds are commonly used whole or ground into a powder and added to spice mixtures. They are typically dry-roasted or ground and used in spice mixtures.
Carom seeds contain an essential oil called Ajwain oil, which features thymol as a primary component. Thymol is a phenol known for its thyme-like scent and is commonly used to address digestive issues. Additionally, thymol possesses antifungal and antibacterial properties.
5 Health Benefits of Carom Seeds
Following are some of the impressive health benefits of carom seeds.
1. Prevent Inflammation: Inflammation can be short-term or chronic, with short-term inflammation being a natural response of the body to injury or illness. While short-term inflammation is harmless, chronic inflammation can contribute to various diseases. Carom seeds contain compounds that have been shown to effectively reduce inflammation in the body. These compounds work by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are small proteins that play a key role in the inflammatory process.
2. Lower Blood Pressure: Studies in rats indicate that thymol in ajwain may prevent calcium from entering blood vessels in your heart, potentially reducing blood pressure.
3. Relieve Cough and Congestion: Ajwain has been found to be beneficial in providing a relief from coughing and congestion. It clears mucus from nose and therefore makes breathing easier. Carom seeds may also be useful for asthma people as it is known to widen the bronchial tubes.
4. Prevent Infections: Some of the essential oils in Ajwain, such as thymol and carvacrol, have antibacterial properties. They can fight bacteria like salmonella and E. coli, which can cause food poisoning and other stomach issues.
5. Soothe Arthritis Pain: Ajwain can also aid in reducing edema and pain. For the treatment of arthritis pain, crushed fruit can be turned into a paste and applied to the skin at the joints. As an alternative, you may take a relaxing soak in your tub with warm water and a handful of carom seeds.
(Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated by AI and published after the content was editorially modified and verified by a human based on their own judgement and expertise. The Quint does not publish AI-generated content without direct human involvement and oversight).