Carom seeds or ajwain are commonly used in Indian cuisine. They have a bitter and pungent flavor and a strong aromatic essence. Whether it is pooris, kachoris, rasam or kadhi, the flavour of ajwain is unmistakable and can be found across so many Indian regional dishes. Another reason for its extensive use is perhaps the many health benefits it offers; from aiding digestion to relieving tooth and ear related pain.While adding ajwain to our daily food is one way of consuming this wonder spice.
Ajwain has long been used in traditional Indian medicine for its health benefits. It is replete with antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Carom seeds
1. May Help In The Management Of Blood Pressure
Carom seeds can help you manage your blood pressure as well. The thymol in the seeds is responsible for this property. In rat studies, it produced a fall in blood pressure and heart rate.
Carom seeds also have a calcium channel-blocking effect. This effect prevents calcium from entering heart cells and blood vessel walls. This lowers blood pressure. Thus, ajwain is recommended to patients with hypertension who before going into surgery.
More research is required to understand the effect of ajwain on blood pressure in humans
2. Fight Inflammation
Carom seeds contain essential components like terpenes, sterols, and glycosides – all of which contribute to their anti-inflammatory effects.
Some sources suggest that carom seeds can relieve arthritis pain as well. We need more research on this, though.
3. May Prevent Kidney Stones
Carom seeds may prevent calcium oxalate deposition. This can potentially cut the risk of developing kidney stones.
Though these seeds are said to maintain renal (kidney) function, reduce renal injury, and prevent the retention of stones in the renal tissues, these claims are not supported by experimental evidence.
The various phytochemical compounds in carom seeds must be credited for these benefits. They also contain other important nutrients.
4. May Help Treat Cough
Studies on guinea pigs showed that intake of carom seeds produced antitussive (cough-suppressing) effects that were greater than codeine, a drug used to treat coughs.
5. Promotes Digestion
Ajwain is one of the key ingredients used in Indian cooking due to its amazing gut healing properties. It holds a prominent place in treating various digestive conditions like acidity, indigestion and flatulence. The active enzymes in ajwain aids in promoting digestion by improving the secretion of gastric juices. Moreover, carom seeds extract is used to heal the sores of the esophagus, stomach and intestine and treats peptic ulcers.
6. For Pregnant Women
Including Ajwain in their diet is recommended to many pregnant women in India. Pregnancy often brings with it many gastric issues like constipation and bloating. Drinking on ajwain water is known to help these symptoms. Many women are suggested to have ajwain water post their delivery to help with digestion, lactation and clearing the uterus too. Note: There isn’t enough scientific evidence around this, and this must be followed only after a green signal by your doctor.
Advantages of everyday herbs and spices in our kitchen are many. We only have to look closely and we’ll find the home-remedies sitting neatly on our kitchen-shelves, waiting to be discovered and used by us.