Small is beautiful, thus goes a popular saying. Sometimes, small is curative too, say all those who benefitted from the medicinal qualities of the small seeds, ajwain. Ajwain -- with a botanical name Trachyspermum copticum and other names such as carom seed and ajowan caraway -- is a significant component of our Grandma’s remedies for digestive problems.

Ajwain is said to have originated from Egypt. But it has become very much part of Indian households that you can name a lot of vegetarian curries and pickles with ajwain seeds in them. Ajwain seeds, which resembles the cumin seeds, but with a smaller size, are used in its powdered form while cooking. Its strong fragrance is its USP apart from its medicinal qualities.

Ajwain seeds, when boiled in water, used as a medicine for problems related to indigestion and low appetite. The seeds contain thymol, which has antiseptic properties. Ajwain is used for both Unani as well as Ayurveda medicines and thymol extracted from the seed has long been used in ayurvedic treatment for indigestion. The medicinal qualities of Ajwain have often turned out to be a boon for the patients with common cold and migraine too. As you are now aware of many qualities of the plant, you should not hesitate to grow this in your back garden. It may help you to avoid running in search of a doctor, on the very first sign of indigestion.