For centuries, spices have been traded for their exquisite taste, healing powers and preservative properties. Out of all those exotic spices, ajwain, also known as carom seeds or Bishop’s weed. A simple paratha comes alive with just a dash of ajwain thrown into the soft dough. But, that’s not all this mighty ajwain can do for you. It can also help you lose weight. Awesome, isn’t it?
It has long been a practice to give ajwain water to women post-pregnancy, as it is believed to reduce water retention and swelling. Here, we will be helping you out on how ajwain aids in losing weight.
Apart from numerous health benefits, carom seeds are also known to promote weight loss. The wonder seeds contain an essential oil called thymol, which is an antiseptic and has anti-inflammatory properties.
This chemical increases the secretion of gastric juices helping in better digestion. The seeds also provide relief from abdominal gas, flatulence and speed up the body metabolism. It also acts as a natural antioxidant, removing toxic build-ups from the body, making it easy to lose weight.
Boiled ajwain water
It’s the easiest and the simplest drink you can have for weight loss, and it doesn’t even take much time to prepare a tea or drink of ajwain water. To make this drink, take two teaspoons of fresh ajwain seeds in a pan and dry roast it on low flame until you get the pungent aroma of the spice. Set them aside for a few minutes while you boil 500ml of water in a pan.
Once the water starts boiling, put the flame on medium, and add the roasted ajwain seeds into the water. Let it boil for a few more minutes. You would notice that the colour of the water changes to brown within a few minutes. Now, remove the water from the heat and let it cool. Strain and drink this water all through the day.
Ajwain and honey water
To improve the efficacy of ajwain water in weight loss, you can also add honey to the drink. Soak 25 gms of ajwain seeds in a glass of water (250 ml) overnight. The next morning, strain the glass of water and mix a teaspoon of honey to it. Drink the water on an empty stomach every day. Couple this with a strict low carb diet for at least three months and you would notice weight loss.
Ajwain and fennel seed water
A concoction of ajwain and fennel seeds (saunf) is another excellent way to lose some pounds. To make this healthy drink take half a teaspoon of roasted ajwain seeds and one teaspoon of roasted fennel seeds to 4 cups of water, and bring it to a boil. Let the mixture boil till you notice a change in the colour. Remove it from the flame and allow it to cool before straining. Sip the concoction throughout the day instead of your daily caffeine.
Ajwain powder
If you often forget to soak the ajwain seeds or don’t have enough time in the morning to make the above-mentioned drinks, then you can make yourself a batch of this magical powder at home. Take ajwain, fenugreek and nigella seeds (kajoli ) in equal proportions and dry roast them separately.
Mix all three of them together and grind the mixture till it becomes smooth and fine like powder. Store the mixture in an airtight container and have a teaspoonful of powder with warm water every day before going to bed.
Roasted ajwain seeds
There’s another easy way you can include ajwain in your daily routine. Take 250gm of ajwain seeds and dry roast them. Once it cools down, store it in an airtight container, and have a teaspoonful at least half an hour before having your breakfast in the morning. If you like the taste of carom seeds, you can have it at other times of the day as well, but take it before meals only.
