“No good deed goes unpunished” – as a result of my last post on Sumac, I was asked about another atypical herb. It is a herb that has been used in cooking for a long time: Ajwain, ajowan caraway, bishop’s weed, carom, Ptychotis Oil, Ethiopian Cumin,Omam etc.

I was actually an active user of it some 20 years ago for it’s anticoagulation effects.

Trachyspermum ammi commonly known as ‘Ajwain’ is distributed throughout India and is mostly cultivated in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The fruit possesses stimulant, antispasmodic and carminative properties and is used traditionally as an important remedial agent for flatulence, atonic dyspepsia, diarrhea, abdominal tumors, abdominal pains, piles, and bronchial problems, lack of appetite, galactogogue, asthma and amenorrhoea. Medicinally, has been proven to possess various pharmacological activities like antifungal, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, cytotoxic, hypolipidemic, antihypertensive, antispasmodic, broncho-dilating actions, antilithiasis, diuretic, abortifacient, antitussive, nematicidal, anthelmintic and antifilarial. Further, studies reveal the presence of various phytochemical constituents mainly carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins, phenolic compounds, volatile oil (thymol, γ-terpinene, para-cymene, and α- and β-pinene), protein, fat, fiber and mineral matter containing calcium, phosphorous, iron and nicotinic acid. These studies reveal that T. ammi is a source of medicinally active compounds and have various pharmacological effects; hence, it is encouraging to find its new therapeutic uses.

Trachyspermum ammi [2012] – Full text with links to studies

• ” The present study indicated that both Crude Powder and extracts of T. ammi had the dose-dependent antihelmintic effects. Due to the development of drug resistance against synthetic anti-helminthics (parasitic worms)” [2020]
• Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague, superb essential oil and its major components on peptic ulcers: in vivo combined in silico studies[2019]
• Antibacterial activity of traditional spices against lower respiratory tract pathogens: combinatorial effects of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil with conventional antibiotics. [2018]
• Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain) oil and chlorhexidine against oral bacteria: An in vitro study.
• Polysaccharides from Dolichos biflorus Linn and Trachyspermum ammi Linn seeds: isolation, characterization and remarkable antimicrobial activity. [2017]
• Trachyspermum ammi Seeds Supplementation Helps Reverse Scopolamine, Alprazolam and Electroshock Induced Amnesia. [2017]
• Evaluation of antiviral activity of essential oil of Trachyspermum Ammi against Japanese encephalitis virus. [2015]
• Antifungal effect of Trachyspermum ammi against susceptible and fluconazole-resistant strains of Candida albicans.[2015]
• Blood pressure lowering action of active principle from Trachyspermum ammi (L.) sprague. [1995]
• Extract of a spice–omum (Trachyspermum ammi)-shows antiaggregatory effects and alters arachidonic acid metabolism in human platelets. [1998]

The major component of this seed is thymol which impacts hundreds of different bacteria. It has a higher concentration than thyme.