Ajwain is an ancient herb used for a number of ailments in traditional medicines. Now we find surprising confirmation of these benefits in scientific research.
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| Trachyspermum ammi or Ajwain |
What is Ajwain?
Ajwain is scientifically named Trachyspermum ammi and known also as carom seeds. It is an herb valued for its numerous health benefits. It features small, oval-shaped fruit seeds with a bitter taste and a distinct thyme-like aroma.
Native to India, the Mediterranean region and parts of South America, Ajwain is also cultivated in India, Iran, Egypt, and Afghanistan.
Its green-brown fruit seeds are edible and often used as a spice or chewed after a meal.
Compounds in Ajwain
The primary compounds found in Ajwain seeds include thymol, carvacrol, terpinene, and limonene. These compounds contribute to its medicinal properties, including its ability to aid digestion, alleviate stomach discomfort, and relieve gas and bloating.
These compounds in Ajwain also possess antimicrobial properties, making it beneficial for combating bacterial infections and supporting overall immune health. Additionally, they provide expectorant properties that can aid respiratory issues such as coughs and asthma.
Traditional Use of Ajwain
In traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha, Ajwain has been utilized for its therapeutic effects for centuries.
It is commonly consumed as a spice in culinary dishes and also used medicinally in various forms, including as a tea, powder, or essential oil.
Some traditional uses include:
Digestive Aid
As mentioned, Ajwain seeds are commonly chewed post-meals to aid digestion, reduce flatulence, and alleviate indigestion.
Respiratory Health
Due to its bronchodilator properties, Ajwain is used to manage respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis.
Pain Relief
Topical application of Ajwain oil is believed to relieve pain associated with arthritis, rheumatism, and muscle spasms.
Scientific Research on Ajwain
Scientific research supports many traditional uses of Ajwain. Studies have shown its effectiveness in pain relief, improving digestion, relieving abdominal discomfort, and exhibiting antimicrobial activity against various pathogens.
Additionally, research has explored its anti-inflammatory properties for potential therapeutic applications.
A 2025 study from India’s Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Center, researchers compared the pain relief ability of Ajwain oil to lidocaine topical spray in dental procedures among 52 children who were averse to needles.
Pain scores, both using the Visual Analogue Scale and using the Wong-Baker Facial Pain scores, were significantly lower in the Ajwain oil group compared to the lidocaine group. For example, in the VAS scoring, the Ajwain group's average pain score was 2.4 compared to a 5.3 average pain score in the lidocaine group of children.
A 2016 clinical study tested 92 patients with nocturnal burning feet symptoms. The researchers gave the patients either a placebo cream or a cream using Ajwain essential oil.
Those given the Ajwain oil had significantly reduced pain and reduced numbness and tingling compared to the placebo group.
Another study, from 2021, found that Ajwain had significant antibacterial properties, and increased wound healing times.
Another study from India found that Ajwain oil significantly increased glucose uptake and thus showed it to be anti-hyperglycemic.
A 2021 study from Chinese and Indian universities, found that oral treatment of Ajwain oil significantly reduced sneezing, nose discharge and itchiness in laboratory studies. They concluded:
“Ajwain oil suppressed the nasal rubbing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. Ajwain oil considerably suppressed the immunoglobin and inflammatory cytokines. The result suggests that Ajwain oil having the potential effect against the allergic rhinitis.”
Other laboratory and clinical studies have found similar success in Ajwain research, proving it to be antibacterial and antiviral, antifungal, and anti-parasitic, an anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, diuretic, and antihypertensive among other properties.
This ancient remedy has turned out to be a significant medicinal herb, one that deserves more attention among the scientific community.
Scientific References
Mathew N., Misra-Bhattacharya S., Perumal V., Muthuswamy K. Antifilarial lead molecules isolated from Trachyspermum ammi. Molecules. 2008 Sep 11;13(9):2156–2168. doi: 10.3390/molecules13092156.
Mathew N., Misra-Bhattacharya S., Perumal V., Muthuswamy K. Antifilarial lead molecules isolated from Trachyspermum ammi. Molecules. 2008 Sep 11;13(9):2156–2168. doi: 10.3390/molecules13092156.
Zaidi S.F., Yamada K., Kadowaki M., Usmanghani K., Sugiyama T. Bactericidal activity of medicinal plants, employed for the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments, against Helicobacter pylori. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Jan 21;121(2):286–291. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2008.11.001.
Hussein G., Miyashiro H., Nakamura N., Hattori M., Kakiuchi N., Shimotohno K. Inhibitory effects of sudanese medicinal plant extracts on hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease. Phytother Res. 2000 Nov;14(7):510–516. doi: 10.1002/1099-1573(200011)14:7<510::aid-ptr646>3.0.co;2-b.
Dwivedi S.K., Singh K.P. Fungitoxicity of some higher plant products against Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) goid. Flavour Fragrance J. 1998;13(6):397–399. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1026(199811/12)13:6<397::AID-FFJ762>3.0.CO;2-L.
Thangam C., Dhananjayan R. Anti-inflammatory potential of the seeds of Carum copticum Linn. Indian J Pharmacol. 2003;35(6):388–391
Hejazian S.H., Mosaddegh M.H., Dashti Rahmatabadi H.M. Antinociceptive effects of Carum copticum extract in mice using formalin test. World Appl Sci J. 2008;3(2):215–219.
Gilani A.H., Jabeen Q., Ghayur M.N., Janbaz K.H., Akhtar M.S. Studies on the antihypertensive, antispasmodic, bronchodilator and hepatoprotective activities of the Carum copticum seed extract. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Apr 8;98(1-2):127–135. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.01.017.
Sabar A.G. Lithotripsy of different urinary tract stones by using seeds of Carum copticum. Iraqi J Pharm Sci. 2010 Mar;19(2):38–41. doi: 10.31351/vol19iss2pp38-41.
Takuli A, Bhatnagar A, Rikhari P. Effectiveness of topical ajwain oil in reducing pain during local anaesthesia administration in paediatric dental patients: A randomized controlled trial. J Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2025 Nov-Dec;15(6):1454-1459. doi: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2025.09.008.
Bairwa R, Sodha RS, Rajawat BS. Trachyspermum ammi. Pharmacogn Rev. 2012 Jan;6(11):56-60. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.95871.
Zare MR, Khorram M, Barzegar S, Asadian F, Zareshahrabadi Z, Saharkhiz MJ, Ahadian S, Zomorodian K. Antimicrobial core-shell electrospun nanofibers containing Ajwain essential oil for accelerating infected wound healing. Int J Pharm. 2021 Jun 15;603:120698. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120698.
Aneesa NN, Anitha R, Varghese S. Antidiabetic Activity of Ajwain Oil in Different In Vitro Models. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2019 Apr-Jun;11(2):142-147. doi: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_128_18.
Li J, Raghav P, Hu C. Ajwain oil attenuates allergic response of ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis via alteration of inflammatory, oxidative stress, and Th1/Th2 responses. J Food Biochem. 2021 Dec;45(12):e13963. doi: 10.1111/jfbc.13963.