Caraway seeds (Ajwain, Ajowan, Caraway, Carom seed) is a popular aromatic spice which is used extensively in authentic Indian and South Asian cuisine. Greyish-brown in colour and tiny oval-shaped in appearance, caraway seeds have both a unique look and taste profile. With an essence somewhat similar to thyme, ajwain is quite strong and pungent flavour. The seeds are known to be hot and slightly bitter in flavour. Caraway seeds are commonly grown in India, Iran, Egypt and Afghanistan.

Caraway seeds are rarely consumed raw. Instead, they are either dry-roasted or fried in oil before they are added to foods. A staple ingredient in Indian cuisine, caraway is used in a variety of dishes, added to chutney and curries, used as a garnish, or added to fragrant drinks and tonics.

Medicinally, ajwain has long been used in traditional Ayervedic medicine. Caraway is most widely known as a natural digestive aid. The following are additional uses of caraway.

Traditional Medicinal Properties and Uses of Caraway Seeds

• Caraway is commonly used as a digestive aid. It is known to relieve abdominal discomfort.

• Caraway seeds are consumed to help stimulate appetite.

• Used as an antiseptic.

• Ajwain is used to treat stomach pains and many gastric conditions.

• Caraway is eaten to treat gas and indigestion.

• The aroma of ground caraway seeds is said to help alleviate migraines.

• Caraway is used to treat acidity and heartburn.

• Caraway seeds are said to provide relief from a toothache.

• Ajwain oil is used to treat earaches.

• Ajwain oil is massaged into the skin to treat arthritis, joint pain and inflammation.

• Ajwain seeds are chewed or ajwain tea is prepared to help treat and alleviate coughs.

4 Responses to “Health Benefits of Caraway Seeds”

1. Health Benefits of Ajwain | My Healthy Foods Eating says:

   July 4, 2010 at 1:02 am

   [...] the original:  Health Benefits of Ajwain | My Healthy Foods By admin | category: cuisine, healthy foods | tags: ajwain-posted, benefits, cuisine, [...]

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2. Health Benefits of Ajwain | My Healthy Foods | Indian Today says:

   July 4, 2010 at 2:30 am

   [...] more from the original source:  Health Benefits of Ajwain | My Healthy Foods Share and [...]

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3. limewire info says:

   November 23, 2010 at 9:42 pm

   ah

   Reply
4. Peter Mansell says:

   November 20, 2011 at 9:39 am

   It is quite wrong to confuse Ajwain with Caraway. The seeds look similar but the plants are botanically distinct and have different, though in some respects similar, properties

   Reply