Carom seeds or Ajwain are one of the most medicinal spices of Indian kitchen. Ajwain is almost used in every household in India in tadka, parathas and digestive treatments. But the best way of taking ajwain is as ajwain water, a simple herbal infusion of the seed's active ingredients in a liquid form that is easily accessible to the body.
The benefits of ajwain water lie in thymol, its main bioactive compound that is present in the carom seeds. Thymol is a potent antifungal, antibacterial, antispasmodic and carminative agent. Ajwain water contains powerful medicinal compounds when mixed with other compounds in ajwain like carvacrol, limonene and gamma-terpinene.
This comprehensive guide explores the top 10 benefits of ajwain water, the strength of the duo of jeera and saunf and the combined benefits of jeera and ajwain water, its specific benefits, the process by which ajwain water for weight loss works, possible side effects of ajwain water, and the benefits of ajwain water at night that make it an effective pre-sleep tonic.
What Is Ajwain Water and How Is It Made?
Ajwain water is made by steeping or boiling the seeds of ajwain, which contain active compounds, in water. There are 2 different ways to prepare it:
Method 1 Boiled Ajwain Water (Most Potent):
- Put 1 tsp of ajwain seeds in 2 cups of water.
- Heat to boiling and simmer 5–7 minutes.
- Strain, cool slightly and drink warm.
- There will be a slight yellowish brown colour — this is normal and it means that thymol has been extracted.
Method 2 Overnight Soaked Ajwain Water (Gentler):
- Cover and soak 1 teaspoon ajwain in 1 glass of water overnight.
- Drink strain in the morning, on a fast!
- Less potent - good for sensitive stomachs
Nutrition per 200ml serving of ajwain water: -
|
Component |
Amount |
|
Calories |
~5 kcal |
|
Thymol |
~8–15mg (active dose) |
|
Carvacrol |
~2–5mg |
|
Dietary fibre (trace) |
<0.5g |
|
Iron |
Trace |
|
Calcium |
Trace |
The therapeutic advantage lies in the bioactive compounds that are extracted, not with the macronutrients and this is why Ajwain water is a near zero calorie medicinal beverage.
10 Advantages of Ajwain Water: -
- Powerful Digestive Relief
The most famous of all the benefits of ajwain water is its quick and effective digestion promoting benefits. Thymol has antispasmodic activity which is related to its effect on smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal tract; it is used to treat cramps, bloating and flatulence.
It helps with specific digestive conditions it addresses:
Flatulence and gas:
Thymol and carvacrol inhibit fermentation by gas producing bacteria and have a muscle relaxing effect on the intestine that burses gas, which gives relief within 15-30 minutes.
Bloating and abdominal distension:
The antispasmodic effect helps to alleviate the full bloated sensation after eating.
Indigestion (Dyspepsia):
The digestive enzyme excretory stimulation by ajwain water improves the breakdown of fat and carbohydrates.
Stomach cramps:
Thymol acts as a muscle relaxer so that the stomach cramping that occurs during irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acidity and gastritis is quickly relieved.
- Acidity and Heartburn Reduction
The one of the most practically beneficial benefits of ajwain water is that it is useful in reducing hyperacidity and heartburn which are the common ailments of millions of Indians arising from spicy, oily food and stress.
How it works:
The water of ajwain is a stimulator of gastric secretion in the right proportion and at the same time it is a hyposecretory agent which helps to decrease the hypersecretion which leads to acid reflux. It also helps to tighten the lower oesophageal sphincter, the valve at the bottom of the oesophagus which becomes weak and weak backflow of acid can cause it to reflux.
Best preparation for acidity:
Boil ajwain in water and drink it as hot water with a pinch of black salt, 30 minutes before or after the onset of symptoms of food poisoning. This is one of the most instant benefits of ajwain water – the relief comes in within 10-20 minutes.
- Ajwain Water for Weight Loss
One of the most popular uses for ajwain online is the use for weight-loss, and the workings are actually fat loss-friendly.
Thermogenic effect:
Thymol is a minor stimulator of body temperature, which is accomplished through an increase in the body's metabolic activity by increasing the utilization of body fat through heat production. Although small individually, the thermogenic effect will still help to burn fat over time.
Improved fat digestion:
The water from Ajwain stimulates the production of bile and lipase enzyme (enzyme which helps in digestion and absorption of fat in diet) — this paradoxically reduces fat gain from the undigested fat which would otherwise get stored.
Appetite and digestion optimisation:
As ajwain water clears up bloating, gas and digestive sluggishness, the digestive system becomes more efficient and nutrient absorption is enhanced, digestion gets lighter and the false hunger signals caused by poor digestion are decreased.
Caloric displacement:
If you drink high calorie morning drinks (sweetened chai, packaged juice) you can substitute them for unsweetened ajwain water, which will cut 100-250 liquid calories each day, without any deprivation at all.
Cortisol reduction:
As an adaptogenic herb, ajwain can lower cortisol, the main hormone that promotes belly fat. This makes ajwain water for weight loss more relevant for an urban person who is stressed due to the high levels of cortisol in their body which results in belly fat.
Protocol for weight loss:
Taking 1 glass of boiled ajwain water on an empty stomach in the morning for 4-6 weeks along with a diet that is low in calories. An additional benefit of adding jeera (cumin) into the mixture is that it adds to the weight loss effect — which brings us to the next point.
- Jeera and Ajwain Water Benefits:
Ajwain water is very effective, and adding jeera (cumin) to it makes it a very effective combination. Both the spices, jeera and ajwain have complementary benefits in the water, as follows:
Jeera's contributions:
- Powerful digestive stimulant — enhances the secretion of gastric enzymes even more than ajwain alone.
- High in iron — helps make red blood cells and use of energy in the body.
- Thymoquinone – lowers factors that hinder metabolism in the body.
- Promotes insulin sensitivity (especially useful for blood sugar control)
Combined jeera and ajwain water benefits:
- More rapid and complete relief of bloating and gas than either spice alone.
- Improved bile production for better fat digestion.
- Ajwain water is more thermogenic for weight loss benefits.
- Improved blood sugar control after eating.
- Superior iron absorption support (jeera) and digestive optimisation (ajwain)
How to make jeera and ajwain water:
Add 1/2 tsp jeera + 1/2 tsp ajwain in 2 cups water and simmer for 5-7 mins. Add lemon juice and rock salt (a pinch). Take warm in empty stomach in the morning.
- Jeera Saunf Ajwain Water Benefits:
It is the best digestive tonic in India that is made by adding saunf (fennel seeds) to the jeera and ajwain water; and it is worth noting that the digestive benefits of jeera saunf ajwain water is far more than any of its single-spice preparation:
Saunf's unique contributions:
- The main compound in fennel, called anethole, acts as a phytoestrogen, helping to maintain hormonal balance in the body for females; also has strong anti-inflammatory properties in the gut.
- Complementary carminative (gas-expelling) action to ajwain's antispasmodic effect
- The Ayurvedic classification of cooling — balancing the heat-producing effects of ajwain with cooling properties to make it appropriate for all seasons.
- Refreshes the breath: Anethole has an antibacterial effect on oral bacteria, which is why it is used as saunf after meals.Refreshes breath — scientifically proven: The use of saunf after meals is a classics, which is scientifically supported by the antibacterial effect of anethole on the bacteria responsible for the bad breath.
- Has a galactagogue property that helps to produce milk in nursing mothers
Full jeera saunf ajwain water benefits profile:
- Full digestive relief from gas and bloating, cramping, indigestion and acidity.
- Repeatedly lowers blood glucose level (jeera + ajwain mixed together)
- Harmonizing hormones (saunf).
- Breath freshening
- Anti-inflammatory to the digestive tract
How to make jeera saunf ajwain water:
Dissolve 1/3 tsp each of jeera, saunf and ajwain in 2 cups water and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain, add honey and lemon. This triple infusion is the most versatile among all ajwain water infusions and can be taken in the morning, after lunch or in the evening.
- Benefits of Ajwain Water at Night:
Drinking ajwain water at night, in particular 30-45 minutes before bedtime, provides a unique and important set of benefits of ajwain water at night that one might not find in the morning:
Overnight digestion support: T
Even while sleeping, the digestive process goes on and ajwain water's enzyme stimulating and antispasmodic properties combat the gut fermentation that causes bloating and gas in the morning. The benefits of ajwain water are the most beneficial for those who have a bloated or uncomfortable stomach every morning.
Constipation prevention:
The Ajwain water helps stimulate the intestinal movement at night and helps to give a comfortable bowel movement in the morning without the discomfort and hard work that can be caused by rough laxatives.
Sleep quality and stress reduction:
Thymol has weak sedative (anti-anxiety) effects. Warm ajwain water before going to sleep also works like a soothing herbal tea – decreasing the level of the nervous system which impairs the ability to fall asleep. This is one of the lesser-known advantages of ajwain water at night.
- Respiratory Health and Congestion Relief
The respiratory benefits of ajwain water are well established and have a quick remedy that is instantly felt:
Thymol as an expectorant:
Thymol dilates and clears the passages of the airways making ajwain water an excellent natural cure for cough with phlegm, bronchitis and chest congestion.
Bronchodilator effect:
Ajwain possesses mild bronchodilating activity, that is, it relaxes the smooth muscle of the lungs' airways and lowers airway resistance in asthma and allergic respiratory diseases.
Antibacterial:
Thymol has proven to have antibacterial properties against bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, which can shorten the duration of bacterial respiratory infections.
Nasal decongestant (steam inhalation):
Steam inhalation from the boiling ajwain water in a bowl is an effective remedy for nasal congestion as the volatile vapours of thymol directly decongest the nasal passages.
- Antimicrobial and Immune Support
Thymol is the main bioactive compound which accounts for the benefits of ajwain water and is one of the most potent antimicrobial agents found in plant medicine.
- This works against gram positive and gram negative bacteria
- Antifungal activity against Candida albicans (relevant for gut dysbiosis and oral thrush)
- Antimicrobial properties — thymol causes damage to the envelope of viruses
- Antiparasitic activity — traditional use as an anti-intestinal worm is backed by documented antiparasitic activity of thymol
- Menstrual Pain and Cycle Regulation
The other uncommon yet effective benefits of ajwain water for women are its effectiveness in treating menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea):
- Thymol is an antispasmodic which inhibits uterine smooth muscle relaxation and diminishes the severity of menstrual cramps
- Anti-inflammatory properties help to decrease prostaglandin mediated inflammation that can exacerbate menstruation pain.
- Warm ajwain water with jaggery and is traditionally taken during the first 2-3 days of menstruation, as a cure for cramps.
- Women with irregular cycles report that they regularly use it throughout the month to keep their cycles on track, although the evidence for this is anecdotal at this time.
- Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Support
The last major benefit of ajwain water, which has been backed up by emerging scientific evidence, is cardiovascular health:
Thymol and calcium channel blocking:
Laboratory studies indicate that thymol blocks calcium channels in the vascular smooth muscle that results in vasodilation, or widening of blood vessels and a slight decrease in blood pressure.
Antiplatelet activity:
Ajwain compounds decrease platelet aggregation which minimizes the risk of blood clots from forming, a factor which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Cholesterol management:
In animal studies, ajwain extract lowered total cholesterol and LDL levels, while increasing HDL levels, which may be beneficial and should be confirmed in humans through RCTs, and is supported by the other data on the cardiovascular properties of thymol.
Ajwain Water Side Effects: -
Great ajwain water benefits are known to everyone, but a few side effects of ajwain water need to be aware:
Excess heat generation:
According to Ayurveda, Ajwain is thermogenic (heat-producing). If you eat too much, particularly in summer, it can raise body heat, lead to mouth ulcers or worsen pitta. Use sparingly (1-2 cups a day) and mix in cooling foods. This is the most common ajwain water side effect in Indian summers.
Increased stomach acidity at high doses:
Lower amounts will help decrease acidity, but higher amounts (over 3 cups daily) may actually lead to acid production, which may make heartburn worse in susceptible people. Limit 1 – 2 cups per day.
Pregnancy — Use with caution:
Since the water of ajwain has a stimulating effect on the uterus it should be taken with caution during pregnancy. Small doses (1/2 tsp ajwain in 1 cup water) are believed to be safe, but not recommended in the first trimester. Consult your gynaecologist.
Drug interactions:
The anticoagulant (blood-thinning) effect of ajwain may interact with blood-thinning drugs (such as warfarin and aspirin). Let your health care provider know if you are using any of these medicines and will be drinking the ajwain water regularly.
Allergic reactions:
Known but rare — A few individuals are allergic to plants belonging to the Apiaceae family that includes ajwain, cumin and coriander. Symptoms include hives, itching and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Stop if there is allergic reaction.
Liver concerns at very high doses:
In animal tests, very high doses of thymol have been demonstrated to be harmful to the liver. This is not a worry when used in small doses (1-2 cups of dilute ajwain water) consumed — concentrated ajwain oil should never be taken internally.
Conclusion
One of the simplest, affordable and most effective health drinks in the Indian kitchen tradition, Ajwain water is a water-based preparation of one spice that offers antimicrobial, digestive, thermogenic, anti-inflammatory and respiratory benefits all at once.
The benefits of ajwain water are maximized if it is imbibed as a habit: a glass warm in the morning to optimize digestion and weight gain and a glass warm at night for the benefits of ajwain water at night: constipation prevention, protection against acid reflux and good sleep.
Switch to jeera and ajwain water for better weight loss and blood sugar levels support or to jeera saunf ajwain water trinity to enhance all digestive, hormonal and metabolic support. Begin with 1 cup per day and increase to 2 cups after a week or so once your body gets used to it.
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