Ajwain ~ Carum copticum

Ajwain

Latin name: Carum copticum

Family: Apiaceae

Part used: fruit, leaves, seeds (mainly), oil, essence

Habitat: native to E. Mediterranean; cultivated mainly in India and Iran

Main constituents: essential oil (thymol); stearoptene

Energetics: pungent, hot

Main herbal actions: parasympathomimetic, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic

Minor herbal actions: carminative

Main medicinal uses: flatulence, viral infection (Khalsa), indigestion, colic, dyspepsia and diarrhea (seeds); worms, urticaria

Minor medicinal uses: hysteria, rheumatic and neuralgic pains

Preparations: oil: 1-3 gtt bid; seeds: 3-5 g bid x 10 days

Contraindications: unknown

Toxicity: unknown

Sources: www-ang.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/generic_frame.html?Caru_cop.html; http://www.pioneerherbs.com/carum_copticum.htm