Ajowan Seed Oil
Ajowan seed is the seed of an Indian spice plant called Ajowan. The spice is used in several Indian dishes and serves as a good antibacterial agent. The seed has an immense flavor like that of thyme, its specialty being the zesty kick it gives, especially when used fresh in dishes or concoctions. There are a few people who like to eat the seeds raw by chewing them between their teeth as whole. The raw seeds taste hot, fiery and bitter, and leave the mouth with a feeling of numbness. The flavor of the seed becomes less intense when cooked allowing more of the thyme-like flavor to settle in the dish. The seeds of Ajowan are used in a variety of Indian dishes right from breads to curries, in combination with other herbs and spices.
Latin Name : Trachyspermum ammi
Common Name : bishop’s weed, carom, Ajowan Essential Oil, Ajwain Essential Oil, Yamani Essential Oil, Bishop’s Weed Essential Oil, Arjowan Essential Oil , Ajowain Essential Oil, Wild Celery Seed Essential Oil.
The plant finds its origin in India, Egypt, Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. Ajowan is a rare annual plant reaching a height of around 2 feet from the ground. The plant grows well in moist soil and doesn’t do well in the shade meaning its best to find a sunny spot to place your seeds when you plan to grow them. Besides these few requirements, you would find the plant to be unfussy to soil and situation. It is best not to attempt to collect this plant or its seeds from the wild as it is a member of the Umbelliferae family, you would rarely see them in the wild. And it has an appearance that is similar to that of the deadly Hemlock. The plant seems to have a high content of thymol, alpha-pinene, p-cymene, limonene, gamma-terpines. The seed has the following properties, it acts as a germicide, fungicide, carminative, aphrodisiac, anti-spasmatic, prevents infection, and relieves asthma and shortness of breath.
Uses: Ajowan oil is anti-infectious, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, antiseptic, anti-nauseating and also, a tonic. Ajowan oil has a soothing effect on the body and hence used as a sedative in the treatment of whooping cough and toothaches in certain parts of the world like India. Ajowan oil, also gives its assistance in the treatment of bronchitis, skin disease, gas, digestive weakness, cholera and diarrhea. Ajowan oil is also used to stimulate the circulatory system. Ajowan Seed Oil goes under the name of thymene and is being used commercially in soaps. Ajowan Seed Oil is also used in baths against scorpion stings. The Oil of Ajowan Seed is used to reduce gas caused by flatulence-causing foods. Ajowan Seed Oil may be used as a substitute for cumin seeds as well. It is traditionally known that the seeds and the oils from the seeds aid in digestion and also serve as an antiemetic.
