PRODUCT NO.: 1-0005-1GCC: DS-GP
COMMON NAME:Ajowan, Ajwain, Yamani, Bishop's Weed, Arjowan, Ajowain, Wild Celery Seed
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Trachyspermum ammi, Carum ajowan, Ptychotis ajowan, Trachyspermum copticum, Ammi Coptium
FAMILY NAME: Apiaceae (Umbrella, Carrot)
INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: Possibly Egypt
COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: Primarily India
HISTORY INFORMATION: It was used in WWII as an antiseptic because of its high thymol content, but now synthetics have taken its place. Sometimes it is still used in cheap perfumes or soap. Ajowan is not an important spice, its usage is limited to Central and South Asia. It is historically used in Ayurvedic Medicine and Indian cooking. Ajowan is an ingredient in Indian Curry and the Bengali spice mixture called panch phoron. Seeds can be obtained from Indian food stores. Medicinally it is used in India to relieve spastic bowel, flatulence, dyspepsia. It is effective against diseases of the digestive tract and cholera.
GENERAL INFORMATION: The seeds resemble caraway and taste like pepper with anise and thyme. They can been mislabeled as lovage or celery seed. Ajowan is not grown in the United States. There does seem to be an American cousin naturalized after its arrival from Asia: this plant is called Bishop's Weed, Bishop's Lace or Bishop's Flower (Ammi majus). This plant is not to be confused with Gout's Weed or Bishop's Weed (Aegopodium podagraia) which has a rich herbal history. The Bishop's Weed noted here is a wild flower growing in the southern United States. Bishop's Weed is the South's answer to Queen Ann's Lace which likes cooler temperatures. They are very similar in appearance. There is no herbal reference to Bishop's Weed as there is for Queen Ann's Lace. Science is investigating Bishop's Weed to see if it might fight cancer. Ammi visnaga, an essential oil coming from N. Africa and utilized for asthma, is closely related to Ajowan.
DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: An annual herb growing to 2 feet with bright green foliage bearing an umbrella flowering stem producing caraway-like seeds. There is little herbal reference in United States and Europe.
PARTS PROCESSED: Seeds primarily. A secondary oil is made from the leaves.
PROCESSING METHODS: Steam distilled from the seeds. Steam distilled from the leaves.
COLOR RANGE: Yellow orange or reddish.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Phenol. High in thymol, as much as 50%; alpha-pinene, p-cymene, limonene, gamma-terpines
YIN\YANG: Yang
PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Antiseptic, carminative, germicide. Used for spastic bowel, flatulence, dyspepsia, stimulating the circulation system and appetite, sinus congestion, deep-seated congestion and stagnation in both respiratory and digestive tracts. Used to warm, improve circulation, promote sleep and soothe sore and tight muscles.
MENTAL USES: I am facing my difficulties with courage. Life is easy. I am all I need to deal with this. If I need help, all I need do is ask and it will be there.
EMOTIONAL USES: Inferior feelings - incompetency; alone - unsupported; struggling - life is hard TO feeling you can do it, self-reliant.
SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate that you are struggling and working very hard. You may feel that you are ready to break down. You may need to ask for help and yet there is no one there. Ajowan assists you in realizing that you are greater than you know and help is all around you. All you need to do is ask. You are never alone when you are with your SELF. You are not given a task you cannot handle. You have all the inner help and guidance you need. Ajowan helps to connect personality to the spirit or higher self. The negative ego is supported so that it can become more positive.
APPLICATIONS:Bath (fixed oil may be needed), inhalation, gargle, massage, tea.
WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: No formal testing. Use with caution. It can irritate the skin.
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