Ajwain

Carom Seeds

Carom Seeds, commonly known as Ajwain, is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. It originated in India. Ajwain's small, oval-shaped, seed-like fruits are pale brown schizocarps, which resemble the seeds of other plants in the Apiaceae family such as caraway, cumin and fennel.

Ajwain is used in culinary applications across Asia and the Middle East and is often found in international cooking. Carom seeds are extremely potent in terms of taste, and can easily take over a dish. Due to the presence of certain active ingredients, such as thymol, these seeds have a taste that resembles licorice, which is similar to anise. To soften the pungent flavor and smell of these seeds, they are often dry-roasted or fried, or added to sauces to partially mask the flavor.

Carom seeds benefits include improved health of skin and hair, weight loss, stronger immune system and reduced inflammation. It is also beneficial in stimulating digestive & respiratory health. Despite the ability of carom seeds to stimulate the appetite, it also has laxative properties, and can speed up the digestive process. The antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties of carom seeds can help ease the discomfort and pain of arthritis, as well as other inflammatory conditions. One of the most common uses of carom seeds is in the prevention or treatment of headaches.