Ajwain: Easy to care Indian herb grown for culinary and medicinal purposes
It is a traditional Indian herb grown for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It is an easy to grow plant and grows and spreads quickly. The leaves resemble thyme and are aromatic. The seeds like fruits are small and resemble cumin and are added in food. Fresh leaves are added in food. The plant is also used in traditional medicine to cure issues related to digestion, abdominal pain, infections, respiratory ailments, coughs etc.
Quick Details of Ajwain
| Other Common Names | Ajwain, carom, bishops weed, ajowan caraway |
| Type | Outdoor/ indoor herb |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Flowering | Late spring (In natural conditions) |
| Light | Bright direct light |
| Water | Regular watering |
| Temperature | Can survive the harsh climate up to an extent |
| Soil | Any well-draining potting soil |
| Fertilizer | Any house plant fertilizer |
| Habitat | India, Iran |
| Toxicity | Overdose should be avoided |
| Common Diseases | Mostly resistant to diseases |
| Scientific name | Trachyspermum ammi |
Ajwain Buying Instructions
- Buy plant with lots of leaves and leaves should be as thick as possible
- Normally when grown in home it does not flower well so do not buy it for seed purpose
- There should not any kind of spots on the leaves.
- Stem of the plant should be thick and strong
Overview of Ajwain
It is an annual herb belonging to the family of apiaceae. The leaves and the fruits are commonly used in cooking. It is a small erect herbaceous plant. The leaves are fleshy, green and have hairs. They contain a number of aromatic compounds which gives them the smell. The stems are green, weak and can drop down as the plants grow. It is cultivated because of its use as a spice, traditional medicine and ornamental plant.
Special features: The seeds like fruits are rich in fibres, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The seeds aid in digestion. The seeds are used commonly in food, added in masala and sprinkled in dough. It gives a distinct taste and aroma to the food.
Usage and Advantage of Ajwain
- The leaves help in digestion, the leaves can be eaten to reduce gas and bloating.
- It is added as a garnish to the food.
- The leaf is used to clear blocked noses.
- It is used in homeopathic medicines to cure infections in urinary organ.
- It can be used as a mosquito repellent.
- The seeds like fruits are added in food to enhance flavour.
- Used to cure toothache and ear ache.
- Ajwain or Oma water helps in relieving indigestion and abdominal pain.
- Eases pain caused by arthritis.
General Care for Ajwain
Soil: They prefer a well-drained humus rich alkaline soil.
Watering: The plants can be regularly watered. However, it should be made sure that the soil is dry before watering them. Overwatering is harmful to the plant and can cause several diseases.
Light: They prefer shade or partial light.
Pruning: The plants grow and spread quickly. Therefore, it should be pruned regularly to prevent overgrowth of the plant. The tips can be pinched every 4 weeks to make the plants look bushier and to control its spread.
Fertilizer: The plants prefer a humus rich soil. Addition of fertilizer ones in 4 to 8 weeks can help the plant to thrive. However, the addition of fertilizer is not needed if the plants are grown in the ground.
Pests and other problems for Ajwain
If grown in favorable conditions the plant is resistant to diseases. However, over-watering can lead to root rot.
Propagation of Ajwain
The propagation is mostly through stem cutting. A 5-12cm long cutting can be taken from a healthy plant and can be planted directly into the soil. During the rainy season, the old stems can also develop roots when they come in contact with the soil.
