What ajwain water is
Ajwain is carom seed, from the plant Trachyspermum ammi. It is small, ridged and sharply aromatic, with a thyme-like note that comes from thymol, the main aromatic compound in the seed. Ajwain water is simply those seeds simmered or soaked in water and strained.
How to make ajwain water
- Take one teaspoon of ajwain. Dry-roast it for a minute if you like a toastier flavour.
- Simmer it in one to one and a half cups of water for three to five minutes, or soak it in a cup of water overnight.
- Strain and drink it warm or at room temperature.
Start with a weaker cup. Ajwain is strong, and too much seed makes the water bitter.
Ajwain water benefits: what tradition says
In many Indian homes ajwain water is taken after a heavy or oily meal, and more often in winter. Ayurveda describes ajwain as warming. Thymol has been studied in laboratory settings, but those studies do not show that a cup of ajwain water treats any condition.
The honest summary: ajwain water is a traditional food habit with a distinctive taste. It is not a medicine. If you have persistent discomfort, pain or changing symptoms, speak to a doctor.
Ajwain for digestion in everyday cooking
Indian cooking has long paired ajwain with heavier food: it goes into parathas, pakoras, mathri, puri, kadhi and dals made with chana or rajma, and into pickles. The pairing is about flavour and tradition, the same instinct that puts ajwain in after-meal seed mixes. Read more about ajwain and carom seed.
Who should be careful
Ajwain is a strong spice. Pregnant women, people taking medication and anyone with a medical condition should ask a doctor before drinking spice infusions regularly. Children may find the taste too sharp.
Ajwain in an after-meal mix
If you prefer your ajwain by the pinch rather than the cup, Nutri Seeds combines ajwain with fennel, dhana dal, dill, sesame and rock salt, unsweetened. See all roasted seed mixes.
Frequently asked questions
Is ajwain the same as carom seed?
Yes. Ajwain is the Hindi name for carom seed, Trachyspermum ammi.
How much ajwain goes into a cup of ajwain water?
About one teaspoon of seed to one cup of water is the usual home quantity. Start weaker if you are new to the taste.
Is ajwain water the same as jeera water?
No. Ajwain is carom seed and jeera is cumin. They taste different and are made the same way.
Is ajwain water a medicine?
No. It is a traditional food drink. Speak to a doctor about any persistent symptom.
