Table of ContentsHow Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEWThe vitality (prana) and lightness of ajwain is intrinsic to its taste. Its aromatic oils disperse blood and dilate blood vessels, while its pungent spiciness stimulates the heart for an altogether refreshing effect on the circulation. Ajwain rivals asafoetida in its ability to relieve gas and bloating. It warms up cold digestion and relaxes intestinal cramping due to colic. Use with any foods that take a long time to digest. Its fiery nature increases bile, aggravating hot Pitta constitutions. Overuse in summer may cause you to sweat, aggravating dryness in Vata. ABOUT AJWAINCOOKING AJWAIN![]() Learn about the health benefits of ajwain for FREEYou'll receive free access to our entire website including healthy recipes, nutritional diet plans, medicinal uses of ingredients, & ayurvedic health tips. Sign in once and you can use our website indefinitely..WHY EAT AN AYURVEDIC DIET?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with at any given time. Ayurveda shows you your specific body type’s needs and what should be favored in your Ayurvedic menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you experience optimal health.Is Ajwain Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?SERVING SIZE: 1/8 tsp SPECIES: Trachyspermum copticum FAMILY:
Apiaceae EAT IN: AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL BIOCHARACTERISTICSSee a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES![]() Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.Here are the herbal actions of Ajwain: STRONG CARMINATIVE Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines. DIGESTIVEHerbs that encourage healthy digestion.SPLEEN-TONICAn herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.BURNS-TOXINSAn herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.DETOXICANTAn herb that decongests or dislodges toxins from the body and the lymphatic, transforming or altering fluids to a more healthy state.NERVINEBalances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.STIMULATES-ENERGYThis category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.STRONG ANTHELMINTHIC Kills parasitic worms (hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, etc). ANTIBACTERIALHerbs that kill bacteria or slow their growth.CARDIAC-STIMULANTHerbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.DIURETICHerbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.HYPOLIPIDEMICScrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.ANTISPASMODICHerbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, hear palpitations, migraine, or IBS.![]() Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine. Compare Ajwain with these FoodsBasil Basil has these Actions in CommonAntibacterial, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Spleen-tonic, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Diuretic, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, NervineDill Dill has these Actions in CommonCarminative, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Detoxicant, Nervine, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Spleen-tonicFennel Seeds Fennel Seeds has these Actions in CommonCardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Diuretic, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonicCloves Cloves has these Actions in CommonAntibacterial, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Spleen-tonic, Anthelminthic, Burns-toxins, DetoxicantGinger (Fresh) Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in CommonCardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Hypolipidemic, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonicRosemary Rosemary has these Actions in CommonBurns-toxins, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Anthelminthic, Cardiac-stimulant, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonicAllspice Allspice has these Actions in CommonBurns-toxins, Detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Antibacterial, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Spleen-tonicTurmeric Turmeric has these Actions in CommonAntispasmodic, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Anthelminthic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Antibacterial, Carminative, HypolipidemicMustard Seed Mustard Seed has these Actions in CommonDiuretic, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, CarminativeCumin Cumin has these Actions in CommonBurns-toxins, Digestive, Anthelminthic, Carminative, Diuretic, Antispasmodic, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonicCompare Ajwain with these Herb SupplementsHoly Basil Leaf (Tulsi) Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in CommonAntispasmodic, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Detoxicant, Diuretic, Hypolipidemic, Nervine, Antibacterial, Stimulates-energyWild Ginger Wild Ginger has these Actions in CommonAntispasmodic, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Detoxicant, Digestive, Spleen-tonic, Stimulates-energyDeodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) has these Actions in CommonDigestive, Diuretic, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, CarminativeYogaraj Guggulu Yogaraj Guggulu has these Actions in CommonBurns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Detoxicant, Hypolipidemic, Nervine, AntispasmodicMugwort Mugwort has these Actions in CommonDetoxicant, Digestive, Diuretic, Anthelminthic, Antibacterial, Antispasmodic, CarminativeHaritaki Haritaki has these Actions in CommonDiuretic, Nervine, Anthelminthic, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Detoxicant, DigestiveCumin, Coriander, Fennel Tea Cumin, Coriander, Fennel Tea has these Actions in CommonSpleen-tonic, Antispasmodic, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Digestive, DiureticPennyroyal Pennyroyal has these Actions in CommonNervine, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Digestive, DiureticBelly breathing Belly breathing has these Actions in CommonDigestive, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, DetoxicantBreathing Exercises Breathing Exercises has these Actions in CommonDigestive, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, DetoxicantBreath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama) Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama) has these Actions in CommonAntispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Detoxicant, Digestive, Nervine, Stimulates-energyAjwain Research & Clinical TrialsTEMPERATURE/CIRCULATIONHow did Ajwain affect your temperature?
How did Ajwain affect your sweat quantity?
How did Ajwain affect the color of your tongue body?
How did Ajwain affect the swelling of your tongue body?
How did Ajwain affect your appetite/hunger?
How did Ajwain affect your digestion speed?
TOXINSHow did Ajwain affect the amount of gas & bloating?
How did Ajwain affect your stool smell?
Tongue: How did Ajwain affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
How did Ajwain affect the color of your tongue coating?
How did Ajwain affect your urine smell?
How did Ajwain affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
How did Ajwain affect your sweat smell?
HYDRATIONHow did Ajwain affect your urine frequency/quantity?
How did Ajwain affect the cracks on your tongue?
NERVOUS-SYSTEMHow did Ajwain affect your energy levels?
How did Ajwain affect your muscle tension?
How did Ajwain affect your anxiety?
How did Ajwain affect the stillness of your tongue?
DIGESTIONHow did Ajwain affect the amount of gas & bloating?
How did Ajwain affect your appetite/hunger?
How did Ajwain affect your digestion speed?
TONGUEHow did Ajwain affect the cracks on your tongue?
Tongue: How did Ajwain affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
How did Ajwain affect the swelling of your tongue body?
How did Ajwain affect the color of your tongue body?
How did Ajwain affect the stillness of your tongue?
How did Ajwain affect the color of your tongue coating?
STOOLHow did Ajwain affect your stool smell?
How did Ajwain affect your stool consistency?
How did Ajwain affect your stool frequency/quantity?
How did Ajwain affect your stool color?
How did Ajwain affect your stool lightness?
URINEHow did Ajwain affect your urine smell?
How did Ajwain affect your urine lightness?
How did Ajwain affect your urine frequency/quantity?
How did Ajwain affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
How did Ajwain affect your urine clarity?
SWEATHow did Ajwain affect your sweat smell?
How did Ajwain affect your sweat quantity?
SYSTEMICHow did Ajwain affect your muscle tension?
How did Ajwain affect your anxiety?
How did Ajwain affect your temperature?
How did Ajwain affect your energy levels?
HEALTH & WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS!(Not you? Keep scrolling!) HOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.View Other Ingredients for SpringAjwain is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring foods here.Comments & Impressions of 'Ajwain'Do you like 'ajwain'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something you'd like to know about 'ajwain'?![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
Hi John - Ajwain looks like fennel seed, which I have seen (and used) in other kitchari recipes. Are they the same thing? Thanks...Sal
Fennel seeds are longer and taste like anise. Ajwain is very pungent, more like strong black pepper. Thanks for asking!
What substitutes I could choose for Ajwain if I can't find it in my country?
Thanks
There's nothing quite like Ajwain, but you could use cumin and/or fennel instead. Thanks for asking!
Hi John - Ajwain looks like fennel seed, which I have seen (and used) in other kitchari recipes. Are they the same thing? Thanks...Sal
Fennel seeds are longer and taste like anise. Ajwain is very pungent, more like strong black pepper. Thanks for asking!
What substitutes I could choose for Ajwain if I can't find it in my country?
Thanks
There's nothing quite like Ajwain, but you could use cumin and/or fennel instead. Thanks for asking!
TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMSAjwain may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.About the Author John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 6 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language. |