Carom Seeds | Bishop’s Weed
After comparing it with the other two types of oregano plants, we are going to see how to grow carom seeds or True Ajwain plants. Not the Ajwain leaf. Carom seeds are native to Egypt and are cultivated in Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Iran, and Pakistan, Carom seeds, cumin seeds, and other plants from the Apiaceae family are collectively known as bishop’s weed.
The botanical name of carom seeds is Trachyspermum ammi
Carom seeds have been part of traditional Persian and Indian medicines since ancient times. It is a spicy herb and used commonly in various cough and cold remedies. It is also a carminative and eases stomach problems like indigestion, gastric ulcers, and gas trouble. In India, new mothers are given roasted carom seeds along with the dry coconut to chew. It is believed that carom seeds increase milk supply and fasten healing after childbirth. There is a special rice porridge that my mother used to make using carom seeds, fenugreek seeds, rice, milk, jaggery, and crushed black pepper when my babies were born. Topped with a spoonful of ghee, this porridge is the best comfort food after delivery. The essential oils in carom seeds, mainly thymol which is the main component, are considered useful in fighting various bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infections naturally. Other than thymol which is the main essential oil that is more than 50% there are several other volatile oils that also contribute to its strong flavor. Thymol is also produced synthetically by chemical companies for using it as a pesticide.
Carom seeds are known to reduce platelet aggregation that means like aspirin medicine it may prevent blood platelets from sticking together. One of the claimed effects of carom seeds is that they can cause foeticide. Hence it is better to avoid it during pregnancy. It is also used as a traditional remedy to prevent pregnancy. There are several other claimed benefits and effects but again as I always say, the research is very limited to know the accuracy of these claims.
I use ajwain a lot in various spices that I prepare. Also, I roast equal parts of Ajwain seeds, Alsi /flax seeds, and Fennel seeds as a mouth freshener after greasy meals. I like the taste of it. It also goes in fritters to prevent gas trouble and gives a different flavor to the fritters. So rather than dwelling a lot on the medicinal benefits, we can grow plants for making yummy dishes.
It is very easy to grow this medicinal herb in your home garden. Check out how.
