Ø Valued for its antispasmodic, stimulant, tonic and carminative properties

Ø Ignites digestive fire

Ø Cardiac tonic

Ø Increases strength of body

Ø Useful in all disorders of urinary system

Ø Useful against diseases of the digestive tract and fever

Common Name:  

Bishop's Weed, Carum, Ajwan, Lovage (Eng)

Sanskrit Name:

Yavani,

Yavana,

Yavanaka,

Ajamoda: As it smells similar to sheep

Ajamodika

Kharashwa

Lt. Name:

Carum roxburghianum – Umbelliferae

Bio energetics:

Rasa (Taste) – Katu (Pungent); Tikta (Bitter)

Guna (Characteristics) – Laghu (Light); Ruksha (Un- unctuous); Teekshna (Sharp)

Veerya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka (Post digestion effect) – Katu (Pungent)

Chemical Composition:

The seed oil is a major source of thymol, being present to the extent of 35-60%. Ajmoda oil is aromatic, stimulant and carminative. It possesses antimicrobial activity. The essential oil (2.5 to 5% in the dried fruits) is dominated by thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol, 35 to 60%); furthermore,?-pinene, p-cymene, limonene and ?-terpinene have been found.  

Effect on Tridosha (Three bio humors):

Ajmoda pacifies Kapha and Vata Dosha and aggravates Pitta Dosha so it can be used in management of all the diseases where there is aggravation of Kapha and Vata Dosha and workings of Pitta are diminished.

Actions according to Ayurveda:

• Deepana : Ajmoda ignites digestive fire
  
• Hrudya: Ajmoda is a cardiac tonic
  
• Vrushya: Ajmoda rejuvenates genital organs
  
• Balakari : Ajmoda increases strength of body
  
• Netramayahara: Ajmodaalleviates all eye diseases
  
• Chhardihara: Ajmoda is useful in nausea and vomiting
  
• Vastirujahara: Ajmoda is useful in all disorders of urinary system
  
• Shoolaghni: Ajmoda alleviates painful sensations from body
  

Medicinal Value:

• Ajmoda is much valued for its antispasmodic, stimulant, tonic and carminative properties.
  
• Ajmoda is administered in flatulence, atonic dyspepsia and diarrhoea, and often recommended for cholera.
  
• Ajmoda is a potent antimicrobial agent.
  
• Ajmoda is useful against diseases of the digestive tract and fever. Where unclean tap water can result in arbitrary complications, ajmoda often comes to the traveler's rescue. Just chew on spoonful of the fruits for a few minutes and wash down with hot water.
  
• Thymol is used in medicines against cough and throat irritation.
  
• A paste of the crushed fruit of Ajmoda is applied externally for relieving colic pains. It is also used in lotions and ointments.
  

Useful part:

Fruits

Doses:

1-3 gm

Some combinations with Ajmoda:

Ajmodadi Churna; Ajmodadi Vataka; Agnitundi vati; Ajamodarka; Chitrakadi Churna, Chitrakadi Vati, Hingvashtak Churna, Kankayan Gutika, Maha Yogaraj Guggulu, Yogaraj Guggulu  

Ayurveda Herbs