Despite our fears about how time flies, it's thankfully still the first month of the New Year. While the newness of the year lingers, we may still be in the mood to embrace new approaches to living better. After we have tried and given up on the unsustainable diets and vigorous exercise routines, let’s try some small changes that can make a big difference.
In my decades of practice as a registered dietician, I have rarely advocated for strict meal plans to achieve health. For many years, the Mediterranean diet has been acclaimed as the best, yet it's not a very popularly prescribed diet. Do you know why? Because it doesn't restrict the consumption of specific foods. Instead, it promotes the idea of eating certain food groups to enhance health.
In line with this philosophy, let's explore a simple addition that you can make to a healthy diet to yield even greater benefits. I speak of the seeds of Ajwain or Ajowan. These tiny seeds, while not expensive (yet), are a treasure trove of natural remedies.
Here are 3 simple ways to add these seeds to your living practice: drink, eat and breathe!
DRINK: Infuse 2 teaspoons of carom (ajwain) seeds in 1 litre of warm water and let it sit overnight. In the morning, strain and use the liquid for drinking. This concoction, known as 'omam water,' is a traditional remedy for many everyday health complaints.
EAT: For a digestive aid, roast one teaspoon of ajwain seeds over medium heat, stirring constantly to avoid burning while releasing their aroma and flavour. Mix these roasted seeds with your chapati dough.
Controlled roasting maximizes the extraction of beneficial volatile compounds. The presence of compounds like acetylcholine and thymol in the seeds is thought to provide soothing effects to the digestive system, contributing to overall well-being. Incorporating roasted ajwain in chapatis is a delicious way to maintain gut health.
BREATHE: Prepare a blend using 3 teaspoons of high-quality carom seeds (ensure a strong herbal aroma to gauge quality), 1 teaspoon of havan samagri, and ¼ teaspoon of ghee. Place this mixture in a metal tea strainer and heat it over a gas flame. Once it starts producing fumes, carry it throughout the house, turning on fans to help distribute the fumes. This practice is believed to purify the air with the seeds' potent volatile oils. Carom seeds are known to contain over 25 active medicinal compounds, a fact supported by scientific research. These compounds contribute to its efficacy in treating common ailments such as pain, cough, heartburn, and bloating, and also in preventing more serious health issues.
These small yet powerful seeds serve as nature's own pharmacy. They are effective in combating a range of issues, from the common winter cold and the effects of air pollution, to providing support against the latest Covid variant, offering both preventive and protective benefits.
Catch you next month with more on how small things can make a big difference to our lives!
Useful insights.