Trachyspermum ammi
Carum, ajowan
Trachyspermum ammi, commonly known as ajwain or carom seeds, is a potent medicinal herb cherished in Ayurvedic traditions. Renowned for its pungent aroma and essential oils, it serves as a powerful digestive aid, offering relief from indigestion, bloating, and respiratory issues while providing significant antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
- Scientific name: Trachyspermum ammi
- Family: Apiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Apiales, it is a member of the Apiaceae family. It is scientifically classified under the genus Trachyspermum, with its specific species designation being ammum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Apiales | WCVP |
| Family | Apiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Trachyspermum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Trachyspermum ammi, is known by various regional names across different languages. In French and Italian, it is referred to as Carum ajowan, while in Hungarian, the common name is ajovan. In Russian, it is called Ажгон, and in Arabic, it is known as نانخة.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fr | Carum ajowan | Wikidata |
| ru | Ажгон | Wikidata |
| it | Carum ajowan | Wikidata |
| hu | ajovan | Wikidata |
| ar | نانخة | Wikidata |
| bg | ажгон | Wikidata |
| dv | ހިތި ދަމުއި | Wikidata |
| fi | intiankumina | Wikidata |
| pnb | اجوین | Wikidata |
| ps | سپېرکۍ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented in both Great Britain and Sweden. Moving toward the center of the continent, it is also found within Middle Europe. Specifically, the species inhabits parts of Austria as well as the Czechia-Slovakia region. Finally, its geographical range extends into Germany, completing its documented spread through these territories.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kazakhstan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known commonly as Ajwain, is highly valued in traditional medicine for its aromatic properties derived from its various components. The medicinal potency is primarily concentrated in the essential oils, which are extracted from the plant to treat digestive ailments. These essential oils are most abundantly found within the small, ridged fruit of the species. Within these fruits, the tiny seeds serve as the primary source of therapeutic value, specifically containing the zygotic embryos that house the concentrated chemical compounds necessary for its healing effects.- Total parts
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 17
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| essential oil | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| essential oils | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| zygotic embryos | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial part | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Essential oils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Trachyspermum ammi has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 42 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include thymol, carvacrol, flavonoids, tannins, AFB-1.
- Total chemicals
- 27
- Scientific sources
- 42
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| thymol | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| carvacrol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AFB-1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Carvacrol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Thymol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alcohols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amines | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiac glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Trachyspermum ammi has 19 reported activities identified across 25 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Analgesic, Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 25
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiglycation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinfective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Trachyspermum ammi has 28 reported medicinal uses identified across 32 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, antioxidant, filariasis, malaria, Breast cancer.
- Total uses
- 28
- Scientific sources
- 32
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| filariasis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Eimeria tenella | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Salmonella | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allodynia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |