Ajwain (Bishop’s weed)

Delicously aromatic, ajwain is a wonderful remedy for sluggish digestion and coughs. A truly warmig seed.
Common name: Bishop's weed (E), Sanskrit Yavani, Yavanika, Agnivardhan
Latin Trachyspermum ammi syn. Trachyapermum copticum, carum copticum/roxburghianum/ajawan, Ptychotis ajowan-Semen (Umbelliferae)
Energetics
Rasa(taste) Pungent, bitter
Virya (energy) Heating
Vipaka (post-digestive effect) Pungent
Guna (quality) Light, dry, penetrating
Dosa effect (VP-, P+)
Dhatu (tissue) Plasma, marrow, nerve
Srotas (channel) Digestive, respiratory, nervous, urinary
Constituents
Essential oils Thymol, dipentene, camphene, myrcene, limonene
Glycosides
Fatty acids
Ayurvedic Actions
Dipaniya Awakens digestion
Pachaka Digestive
Sulaprasamana Alleviates intestinal spasms
Stanyajanana Promotes breast milk
Swasa Benefits breathing
Anuloma Mild laxatives, corrects the flow of vata
Amanasaka Toxins digester
Sulaprasamana Alleviates pain
Krimighna kills parasites
Vatakaphahara Alleviates vata and kapha
Biomedical Action
Antispasmodic, carminative, nervine, analgesic, diuretic, bronchodilator, expectorant, anthelmintic.
Indications
Digestion : Specifically indicated for low digestive fire (mandagni). It combines warming digestive pungency with antispasmodic and bitter activity and sluggish digestion. Also benefits worms and fungal infections.
Lungs : As an antispasmodic it effectively eases wheezing and constricted lungs due to vata and cold. Also beneficial in sinus and nasal congestion, it stimulates and opens the channel of the head (manovahasrotas)
Nerve: Ajwain relaxes tension in the nervous system, especially in the lower abdomen, unproductive system and lungs. Use in men cramping,colic, wheezing, and general anxiety. As it benefits the whole nervous system it can help to lift the sluggish lethargy of mild depression. It normalize the flow of vata and all the pranas around the body. By aiding udhana vayu, the prana regulating speech and enthusiasm, and by clearing lungs and throat, it opens the way for clear communication.
Urine : As a warming diuretic it can clear urinary frequency from cold. It also benefits painful urination caused by calculi.
Combinations
Haritaki, amalaki, fennel, cumin for digestive sluggishness and bloating.
Pippali, bibhitaki, vasaka for wet cough with white phlegm and asthma
Brahmi, gotu kola, ashwagandha for mental tension
Shatavari, ginger, turmeric, rose for menstrual pain
Gokshura, bhumiamalaki, manjistha and shilajit for uninary stones from kapha
Contraindications
Acidity, high pitta, during pregnancy
Safety
No drugs-herb interaction are known
Dosage
250mg-5g per day or 3-15ml per day of a 1:3 @ 60% tincture.