Ajwain and Ajwain Water for Babies – Benefits and Uses

Ajwain is a common Indian spice that is used in many culinary preparations. Ajwain enhances the flavour of the dishes and is known for its healing and medicinal properties. Ajwain contains a component called thymol, which functions as a potent germicide and fungicide and prevents the development of undesired pathogens.

Babies can benefit from its tremendous medicinal value; you can give ajwain to babies in the form of ajwain water or in a powdered form. However, it is advisable to use carom seeds for babies in moderation to avoid any likely complications.

Is It Safe to Give Ajwain Water to Baby?

Ajwain water is prepared from ajwain by mixing water with it. This magical water is beneficial for babies with digestive issues, and it also helps in increasing their appetite.

Nutritional Value of Ajwain

Ajwain seeds are rich in fibre, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. It contains 9% of moisture in 100 g of ajwain.

• Energy – 357.31 kcal
• Carbohydrates – 24.53 g
• Protein – 15.89 g
• Fibre – 20.58 g

Amazing Health Benefits of Ajwain for Babies

Many new moms question if they should give ajwain water to babies. The answer is yes, as ajwain water is beneficial for babies:

1. It provides relief from colic and gas in babies.
2. Babies who are prone to digestive disorders and stomach upsets, especially when they try new foods for the first time, will feel better after drinking ajwain water.
3. Ajwain also provides relief from cough and cold in infants.
4. Constipation in babies is a common problem; giving ajwain water to babies suffering from constipation can cure this problem and even regulate bowel movements.
5. It promotes the release of gastric acid, which can enhance appetite and facilitate smooth digestion in babies.
6. It can treat asthma in kids as it improves airflow to lungs and clears nasal congestion too.

Are There Any Side Effects of Ajwain for Babies?

Although, there are no side effects of ajwain for babies when consumed in moderation. But over-consumption of ajwain can cause stomach ulcers, increased body temperature, nausea or dizziness.

When to Introduce Ajwain to Infants?

You can introduce ajwain to infants from 8 months onwards. It is advisable to start feeding it to your baby in small amounts. Also, for babies less than one year of age, it is desirable to use plain water and avoid adding any sweetener to it. Once the baby starts eating solids, a powdered version can be included in the baby’s food in limited quantities. Gradually, you can add it to puris, parathas, and so on.

How to Select Ajwain for Babies?

Carom seeds that are husk-free are good for babies. When preparing ajwain water or ajwain powder for babies, opt for husk-free carom seeds. Also, keep in mind to use organic seeds, which are devoid of chemicals.

Making Ajwain Water for Babies

Here is how you can make ajwain water for your little one:

• Take 250 ml of water in a pan and heat it until it starts boiling.
• Add ½ tsp of carom seeds to it and allow it to boil for a few minutes.
• You can even slightly roast the seeds and grind them to form a powder before adding it to the boiling water.
• You can add a little jaggery to the boiling water if you wish to sweeten the water.
• Filter the water with a strainer and let it cool down before giving it to your baby.

How Much Ajwain Water Should Be Given to a Baby?

For babies who are not yet one year old, you may like to begin with a maximum of half a teaspoon of ajwain water. Slowly, you can increase the measure to 1-2 teaspoons of ajwain water. However, it is safe to give it only two to three times a week to babies.

Home Remedies Using Ajwain for Cold and Cough in Babies

Some useful home remedies for a baby’s cold and cough are as follows:

1. Herbal Concoction

You can prepare a herbal concoction using the following:

Ingredients

• Tulsi leaves: 1-2
• 1 tsp carom seeds
• Clove -1
• Black pepper – one pinch
• 1/8 tsp turmeric
• 1/8 tsp dry ginger powder
• 1 cup water

How to Make

• Put all the above ingredients in a pan and let it boil for some time.
• Strain the water and give 2 tsp of it to your baby. Warm it up before serving.
• This herbal concoction will provide relief from cold and cough and from digestive troubles to babies who are more than 8 months.

2. Ajwain Heat Pad

This can be an effective remedy to combat chest congestion and blocked nose in infants. This simple treatment works well for newborn babies.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp carom seeds
• A clean muslin cloth

How to Make

• Roast the carom seeds for a few minutes or until you can smell the aroma.
• Put these roasted seeds in a clean muslin cloth and tie the cloth to make a potli or a small pouch.
• You can rub the warm potli on to your baby’s chest like a hot pad.

3. Ajwain Infused Oil Massage

Ajwain infused massage oil can also treat a cold and cough in babies. Here is how you can make it.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp carom seeds
• 1/2 cup mustard oil

How to Make

• Heat carom seeds in some mustard oil to prepare the massage oil.
• Let it heat till the fumes appear.
• Massaging your baby with this oil will provide relief from cold and congestion.
• This remedy works for newborn babies and for babies below 6 to 8 months.
• Massaging your baby regularly with ajwain infused oil can also work as a preventive measure against cold and cough.

4. Ajwain Jaggery Water

A mixture of ajwain and jaggery (gur) powder can help in expelling phlegm and easing a cough, which may be keeping your baby awake at nights.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp ajwain/ ajwain water
• 1 tsp jaggery

How to Make

• For babies who are one-year-old and above, roasted seeds can be crushed to make a fine powder and then mixed with jaggery powder in equal amounts and given every day.
• For smaller babies, it is recommended to use ajwain water mixed with some jaggery.

Precautions to Take While Giving Ajwain to Babies

Ajwain is good for babies. But parents must take the following precautions before giving it to their baby:

• For babies below one year, feed only 2-3 teaspoons of ajwain per day at the maximum.
• For babies above one year, you can give ¼ cup of ajwain per day.
• While eating raw ajwain seeds, first thoroughly crush it if chewing is not possible for your baby, and then swallow it.

Ajwain has numerous health benefits for both babies and adults. Its healing properties make it a valuable spice and an effective cure for several health issues.

References/Resources:

1. Rashmi Yadav, Chandan Kumar Pradhan, Deepika Gupta, et.al; HEALTH BENEFITS OF INDIAN AROMATIC PLANT AJWAIN ; researchgate.net; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317041607_Health_benefits_of_Indian_aromatic_plant_Ajwain_Trachycpermum_ammi; September 2011

2. Mohammad Hossein Boskabady, Saeed Alitaneh, Azam Alavinezhad; Carum copticum L.: A Herbal Medicine with Various Pharmacological Effects; National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4096002/; June 2014

3. AJWAIN SEED WHOLE ORGANIC SPICES; fdc.nal.usda.gov; https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/806341/nutrients

4. Eetela Sathyanarayana, SS Hadole; Effect of nutrient levels on nutrient uptake by seeds of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L. Sprague); researchgate.net; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333422151_Effect_of_nutrient_levels_on_nutrient_uptake_by_seeds_of_ajwain_Trachyspermum_ammi_L_Sprague; May 2019

5. Ajwain seed whole organic spices by PRIDE OF INDIA; nutritionvalue.org; https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Ajwain_seed_whole_organic_spices_by_PRIDE_OF_INDIA_915356_nutritional_value.html

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