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A potent kitchen spice, and ancient remedy, ajwain or carom seeds is prized for its distinctive, thyme-like flavour and powerful bioactive compounds. A staple in Ayurveda for millennia, the advantages of ajwain are plenty! With its bold flavour, and an impressive roster of medicinal properties, the advantages of ajwain soothes uncomfortable bloating, and can become your best cold weather ally during the winter months. Here’s why this small seed deserves a place in your pantry!
The essential winter health benefits of ajwain
Ajwain moves from a simple spice to a comforting, therapeutic shield when the temperature drops. Its inherent warmth and potent volatile oils make it an ideal natural remedy for common winter ailments.
1. Combats cold and flu
Ajwain is packed with thymol, which is a powerful essential oil that gives the seeds their signature warmth. The advantages of ajwain water, while sipping or inhaling its steam, acts as a natural expectorant that clears chest congestion and eases the severity of winter colds and coughs.
2. A natural decongestant
The pungent aroma of ajwain seeds is highly therapeutic. When boiled and inhaled, the steam from ajwain acts swiftly to open blocked nasal passages and provide relief from sinusitis, which is a condition that often flares up in the dry and cold weather. Ajwain largely helps to ensure that every breath you take is clear and easy.
3. Immunity enhancer
As winters are known to invite various infections, ajwain serves as an excellent natural defense. Its antimicrobial and antifungal properties help fight off common seasonal pathogens, supporting the body’s innate immune response and keeping you robust throughout the chill.
4. Aids digestion
Winter often brings richer, and heavier food. Ajwain powerfully stipulates the digestive juices, preventing sluggish digestion, gas, and bloating. This ensures that the energy from your meals is used to keep you warm, rather than being spent struggling to break down food.
5. Supports vitality and stamina
Ajwain benefits for males in terms of supporting overall vitality and stamina is also a noteworthy advantage of ajwain. It is believed to have aphrodisiac properties that can help address issues related to low libido and premature concerns. Ajwain benefits for males primarily aids in enhancing circulation and supporting a healthy nervous system.
Ways to incorporate ajwain for lasting wellness
Moving beyond the occasional use, making ajwain a small and consistent part of your day can create remarkable shifts in your health, especially in terms of digestion and metabolism.
1. Ajwain water
Kickstart your mornings with the advantages of ajwain water. Simply soak one teaspoon of ajwain in a glass of water overnight. Strain it and consume it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that helps you reap the advantages of ajwain water in terms of a gentle, natural body detox. It helps ignite the digestive fire and boosts metabolism, reducing morning sluggishness for a harmonious day.
2. Chewing ajwain seeds
After a particularly heavy, rich, or gas inducing meal, gently chew on a small pinch of lightly roasted ajwains seeds. The instant release of thymol directly into your system rapidly eases bloating, prevents flatulence, and soothes stomach cramps.
3. Ajwain tea or kadha
Boil a teaspoon of ajwain in a cup of water for about five minutes. Strain and sip warm before bedtime. You can also add in a sliver of fresh ginger for extra warmth. This warm infusion provides respiratory comfort and calms the gut before sleep.
Delicious ajwain recipes that go beyond rituals of daily wellness
Ajwain is not just a remedy, but also a flavour architect in savory Indian snacks and breads. Here are some delicious uses of ajwain and how it is incorporated in various recipes, helping cut through richness, adding depth, and ensuring the dish remains delightfully digestible.
1. Ajwain pakode
An absolute winter season favourite, the use of ajwain acts as the secret weapon in these crispy, deep-fried fritters. When added to the chickpea flour batter, it infuses the pakodas with a distinct, smoky-savoury fragrance. Most importantly, the advantage of ajwain in this recipe is that it acts as a digestive foil to the oiliness, ensuring you can enjoy that comforting crunch without the resulting heaviness.
2. Ajwain thepla
A staple Gujarati travel food, ajwain is the essential partner in this dish. Kneaded directly into a dough with fenugreek leaves, ajwain offers a warm and earthy counterpoint to the slight bitterness of the greens. It keeps the layered flatbreads fresh for longer and makes them incredibly easy to digest, even when eaten cold on a long journey.
3. Ajwain mathri
These beloved, flaky savoury biscuits are the star of many Indian festivals and tea times. The characteristic flavour of ajwain is central to this mathri. The ajwain seeds are lightly crushed and incorporated into the refined flour dough, giving the final product a pungent, addictive flavour that pairs perfectly with pickles and chutney, while ensuring that this fried treat is light on the stomach.
4. Chakodi and bhakarwadi
For spiral snacks like crispy chakodi and the tight, savoury roll of bhakarwadi, ajwain performs a critical task. It is often included in the outer dough to balance the richness of the drying process and the spices like chilli and turmeric. The use of ajwain in this dish is mandatory for that unmistakable, satisfying digestive warmth that defines these popular namkeens.