Have a cold? Cough? Digestion issues? Minor stomach bug?
Then try some Ajwain water.
This is a simple tisane, made just by boiling in water the fruits of the Bishop’s weed otherwise known as Carom seeds (though, they’re technically not seeds, but fruits!).
In India it is known by many names – Ajwain, Oma, Omam, Vaamu.
Not to be confused with other very similar-looking seeds, Caraway, Cumin or Fennel, – incidentally, all of which are also great for digestion and have medicinal properties in their own right. But more on those in another post.
Meanwhile here is a side-by-side comparision of all the four, for academic interest. 😀
Carom is also used many culinary preparations, as a tempering ingredient in curries, as a flavouring in bread (think Ajwain Parantha!) to which it lends its characteristic flavour, which is reminiscent of thyme, because of the thymol present in both.
Ajwain has powerful healing and anti-bacterial properties.
Ever since I was a kid, I remember being given this water to drink if I had a stomach upset or a cold-cough or any other minor ailment.
As a simple home remedy it works wonders.
Ajwain Water (Carom seeds Tisane)
An effective and easy Herbal Home Remedy for common minor ailments like digestion issues, cold, cough, flatulence.
Ingredients
- 1 Litre Water
- 1 Teaspoon Ajwain (Carom) seeds
Instructions
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Bring the water to a rolling boil.
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Add the seeds, and further boil for 2-3 minutes.
(Do not boil too much more than that, or the essential oils will evaporate.)
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Strain into a jug or bottle. Or leave it in the pot - the seeds will settle to the bottom, and the water can be decanted into a glass.
Recipe Notes
Can be had hot, lukewarm or cold. Will keep at room temperature for a day.
Store in a jug or bottle and drink in lieu of water.
Replace with a fresh batch after 24 hours.
This quantity can be slowly consumed over a day. Or just make a cupful with a quarter teaspoon of the seeds.
The seeds can optionally be lightly roasted before boiling.
The strength can be diluted to half or quarter for young children.
Make a batch to last all day!
Glad I am not the only one who thought cumin seeds look like fennel seeds. I actually threw up some cumin seeds thinking they were fennel, but wasn’t 100% sure. *sigh* I never heard of carom, but I will look for next time I am at my local Indian market
I use all of these fairly often now, so I can tell them apart – but I clearly remember how confusing they were earlier! They taste quite different though! A quick chew on one or two seeds will reveal much more than the appearance, I discovered! 😀 Carom is very potent – but an interesting flavour – I love them in savoury shortbread cookies, too!