AJWAIN - SEEDS OF BISHOP'S WEED (CARUM CAPTICUM)
A valuable unani ingredient Ajwain or bishop's weed is cultivated in black soil particularly along the riverbank throughout India and also available in Iran, Egypt and Afghanistan. It is a small, erect, annual shrub with soft fine hairs. It has many branches of leafy stems, small feather like leaves, 4 to 12 rays of flower heads, each bearing 6 to 16 flowers. The fruits are very small, egg-shaped and gray in colour.Ajwain is pungent and bitter.
Property wise it is spasmodic, germicidal, antiseptic, digestive, antipyretic, expectorant and an extra ordinary tonic. Ajwain seeds consist of moisture, protein, fat, minerals, fiber, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin.
According to Hakeem Hashmi, the Oriental Unani Researcher, the ajwain seeds combine the powerful and stimulant qualities of capsicum, bitter property of chiretta and anti spasmodic qualities of asafoetida. An essential oil is eracted by steam distillation of the crushed seeds of ajwain. This valued considerably in medicine on account of the presence of thymol. For a long time this oil was the main source of thymol. According to Hakeem Hashmi ajwain has been used as a carminative medicine from the ancient times. Famous Greek physician - like Dioscrides and Gelen used it in various medications. Some very valuable unani medicines are prepared from ajwain seeds.
Healing power & curative properties: -The oil of ajwain is an almost colourless to brownish liquid with characteristic odour and a sharp hot taste. Ajwain is called omam in the southern part of India. Omam (ajwain) water that is the water distilled from the seeds in an excellent carminative that cures flatulence, indigestion & low appetite. This water is a household medicine not only in south India but also in Srilanka, Malaysia and even in some Arabian countries.
Gastro-intestinal disorders: -For relieving flatulence, dyspepsia and spasmodic disorders, the seeds may be eaten with betel leaves. A teaspoon of ajwain with a little rock salt is a household remedy for indigestion. Ajwain oil given in doses of 1 to 3 drops is useful in cholera, flatulent, colic, diarrhoea, a tonic dyspepsia and indigestion. Ajwain water is given in doses of 30 to 60 grams to check vomiting in early stages of cholera.
Bronchitis and asthma: - Taking one-teaspoon ajwain with hot water morning and evening lesson sputum.
Cold & cough: -
- A tablespoon of seeds crushed and tied up in a small cloth bundle can be used for inhalation.
- A similar bundle placed near the pillow, while sleeping, also relieves nasal congestion.
- Drinking hot water after chewing little ajwain cures cough.
- Chewing betel leaf with ajwain at night before sleeping controls and cures dry coughing.
Drinking boiled water with 3 gms ajwain seeds and 3 gms cinnamon bark for 3 days-thrice a day cures influenza.
Toothache: -
Give smoke to the aching tooth by burning ajwain seeds after two hour do gargle with lukewarm water (prepared by boiling 1 tsp. ground ajwain with (little salt) two to three times a day, it cures tooth pain.
Earache: -Putting one two drops of ajwain oil relieves earache.
Heartache: -Taking one-tsp. ajwain with hot water stimulates the heart and relieves heartache.
Rheumatism: -The oil extracted from seeds is beneficial in the treatment of rheumatic and neuralgic pains. It should be applied on the affected parts.
Mouth disorders: -An infusion of seeds mixed with common salt is an effective gargle in a cut pharyngitis, sore and congested throat and hoarse ness of the voice due to colds or shouting.
