Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about useful herb Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) in Chhattisgarh, India

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

Although natural occurrence of Ajwain in dense forests of Chhattisgarh is reported by the early workers but most of the healers specialised in use of Ajwain, purchase different parts of this herb from local herb shops. During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I observed isolated patches of this herb. In many parts, I have seen it in home gardens. In India, Ajwain is under cultivation in Madhya pradesh, Andhra pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh states. It is not under cultivation as commercial crop in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers and natives of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional knowledge about Ajwain. They use this herb in treatment of over 60 common as well as complicated diseases both externally and internally. In this article, I am describing these traditional uses. Most of these uses have not been mentioned by early workers, hence it is first written document on traditional medicinal knowledge about Ajwain in Chhattisgarh. The results and uses given in this article are collected from Raipur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Dhamtari, Kanker, Bastar, Mahasamund and Bilaspur districts of Chhattisgarh only. The detailed surveys in other parts are in progress. At first I am describing its botanical description and reported medicinal uses, I have collected from reference literatures.

According to reference literatures, Ajwain is an annual erect 15-50 cm tall branched herb; stem glabrous; Leaves 2-3 pinnate; Ultimate segments linear; Inflorescence on axillary or terminal compound umbel; Involucre of 5-8 linear bracts; Rays about ten ; Flowers white; Pedicel in fruits twice as long as the fruit; fruits ovoid, Ca 2mm long or less and muricate. Flowering time November to March in Chhattisgarh conditions. In different systems of medicine in India, Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi syn. Sison ammi syn. Ammi copticum syn. Carum copticum; family Umbellifereae) holds a reputed position. According to Ayurveda, Ajwain seeds are hot, bitter, pungent, stomachic, appetiser, aphrodisiac anthelmintic, carminative, laxative and useful in treatment of ascites , abdominal tumours, enlargement of spleen, piles, vomiting, abdominal pains and disease of heart and mouth. According to Unani system of Medicine, Ajwain seeds are bitter and hot, carminative and diuretic. It is useful in treatment of weakness of limbs, paralysis, chest pains, diseases of liver, spleen, hiccup, vomiting, dyspepsia, kidney troubles, inflammations etc.

The traditional healers and natives use all parts of Ajwain as medicine but seeds and whole herb are used most frequently. They use it alone or in combination with other herbs. Ajwain is commonly used as stomach tonic. I have already described about its use in stomach troubles in my previous article on Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs and herbal combinations used in treatment of diseases of stomach, in Chhattisgarh, India. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. Plains use Ajwain in gynaecological troubles. In case of dysmenorrhoea, they suggest the patients to eat a fistful of Ajwain seeds daily till relief. During pregnancy, Ajwain is given with gud (Jaggery) in order to treat lumbago (Kamar dard). According to the healers, the use of Ajwain with gud, not only cures the lumbago but also purifies the blood and act as tonic. They also advise the patients to wash the vagina daily using decoction of Ajwain seeds. My surveys revealed that in many parts of Chhattisgarh, the natives are also aware of these uses. Ajwain seeds are considered as aphrodisiac and frequently used as major ingredient in different popular herbal combinations. In case of night pollution, common at young age, the healers advise to rub the aqueous paste prepared from whole herb on sole before going to bed. Many healers suggest the male patients to rub the aqueous paste of Ajwain seeds on genitals in order to increase the time of retention. Many patients using this paste complained me that regular use causes irritation and pain, in genitals, otherwise it is very effective. In case of Safed Dag (Leucoderma), the healers use Ajwain seeds in combination with other herbs for treatment. It is used both internally and externally. The traditional healers of Kanker region, burn the whole herb and use the fumes for the treatment of many common troubles. According to the traditional healers of Narharpur region, the fumes are best remedy for toothache due to decayed teeth. It also stops all kinds of Hichki (hiccup) immediately. In case of skin troubles, the healers suggests the patients to expose the affected parts in fumes in order to get quick relief . The healer of Narharpur region prefer Sundays for this treatment. He calls all the patients having dental, and skin troubles on Sunday and burns Ajwain herb in bulk in open place. The patients come one by one and get benefits of fumes. In order to maintain the secrecy, the healer also add other herbs in fire, but according to him the main effect is of Ajwain herb. Like other traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, he also takes no charge for the treatment. The old villagers of Khudmudi Village informed me that Ajwain seeds can be used for the treatment of Scorpion bite successfully. When I discussed this use to the traditional healers of region, they replied aqueous paste of Ajwain seeds reduce the pain to the great extent but not cure the patients completely. This is the reason its popularity is decreasing with time. The traditional healer of Mudpar village, use Ajwain in treatment of Pathri (Renal Calculi). The patients are advised to take the Ajwain seeds internally. Based on the vitality of the patients, the healers use Ajwain seeds in combination with honey or Sirka (Vinegar) for the patient having good health, it is recommended with pure honey. According to him within a week, stones drain away with urine. The herbal oil prepared from Ajwain seeds is used as home remedy in treatment of intestinal worms. The natives use 3 to 6 drops of oil internally to flush out the worms. In case of stomach pain, the natives use Ajwain seeds with namak (salt). Two parts of Ajwain and one part of Salt is taken with lukewarm water. It is also good appetiser. Since childhood, I am seeing its use in my home. The family members take this combination just after the meal as it aids in digestion. During rainy season, the members never miss to use it daily. Its taste is not agreeable for every one specially for children but after regular use, this initial trouble ends. The natives also use the herbal oil for earache. Few drops of oil are applied inside the painful ears for quick relief.

The traditional healers of Dhamtari region, use the oil as stomach tonic. They recommend the patients to take two drops of oil daily up to one month, in order to make the stomach free from all related diseases. The traditional healers of Mahasamund region prepare special herbal oil using the latex of Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea) and Ajwain. One part of Ajwain seeds and two parts of latex are mixed and boiled in Til oil (Sesamum).When watery content evaporates completely, the oil is collected and stored for future use. This oil is used externally in treatment of skin troubles specially Dad (Ringworm). During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have noted and observed many variations regarding use of ingredients in this oil. Many healers add the seeds of common weed Charota (Cassia tora) in this combination. They use equal part of Ajwain and Charota seeds with latex of Fudhar. The traditional healers of Durg region, add fresh Neem leaves or Neem oil in this oil in order to increase its efficacy. The traditional healers of Mahasamund region are not agree with this addition of Neem leaves or oil. According to them, the combination of Ajwain seeds and any part of Neem can cause harmful effects. This is really surprising that all types of herbal oils are in use in different parts. I personally feel that there is a strong need of comparative studies in order to evaluate the efficacies of these oils scientifically. In my previous articles, I have described traditional medicinal uses of Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) in treatment of Malarial fever by the natives and healers of the state. The healers of Nagri - Shihawa region use Ajwain seeds with Kalmegh to treat the patients suffering from malaria. They take equal quantity of both herbs and convert it into fine powder. The powder is dipped in well water overnight. (why only well water?). Next morning, they boil the solution.When half quantity of water evaporates, collect the solution in bottles and add few herbs and salt. The healers give one teaspoonful of this solution twice a day to the patients. In reference literatures, the use of Ajwain seeds with Chiraita (Swertia sp.) in treatment of malaria is mentioned but the use of Kalmegh and Ajwain is not mentioned . I am proud to write that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have developed this unique use and practising this knowledge successfully. The natives of Chhattisgarh Plains suggest the patients suffering from bleeding piles to apply the aqueous paste of Ajwain seeds externally on piles. In most of the cases, the treatment root out the piles completely. The traditional healers of the region are aware of this use. According to them, for quick relief one should use the decoction of Ajwain seeds in place of aqueous paste. The fumes of burning Ajwain herb also help in alleviating the pain. The painful piles should be exposed to the fumes. My elder brother was the patient of Chhapaki (Urticaria) few years back. He used Ajwain seeds with sulphur internally with other herbal combinations to get rid forever. This knowledge is in practice among the natives. The natives also use Ajwain in face care alone or in combination with other herbs. The natives use this herb in many different ways. Its use with Dahi (Curd) is very popular in the state. A teaspoonful Ajwain seeds (powdered) are dipped in a cup of curd and after two hours, this paste is applied externally on face particularly on black spots. Many beauty parlours in Chhattisgarh frequently use this herb in face care. For the treatment of patients suffering from Gathia (gout), the healer of Mudpar village use special herbal combination. In this combination whole herb of Bhatkatiya (Solanum xanthocarpum), Leaves and roots of Munga ( Moringa sp.) and Ajwain are used. One Kg of Bhatkatiya, half Kg of Munga leaves and 250gms of Munga roots are dipped in earthen pot filled with 10 litres of water. After dipping, Adha paw (125 gms) Ajwain seeds are added. After adding the seeds, the mouth of pot is sealed with clay soil. Then earthen pot is boiled till two litres of solution remain. The healers prepare globules (size of Ber fruits) from this thick solution and keep it for future use. He gives two globules twice a day to the patients having the problem of gout. According to him, it is one of the promising treatment.

As mentioned early, the detailed ethnobotanical surveys are in progress in different parts of Chhattisgarh. I am sure that through these surveys I will get more information on traditional uses. Thank you very much for reading the article.