Ever heard of giving ajwain water to babies? Well, parents, especially those who are parents of infants, must know about the commonly used spice named ‘Ajwain.’ It is equivalent to many medicated products responsible for curing your infant’s health-problems.
Ajwain, also known as carom seeds, omam, thymol seeds, or bishops’ weeds, is an Indian spice used in several dishes to enhance the flavor.
It is also used as an alternative to medicines, which comes with various health benefits like using ajwain leaves for cough in babies. You will be surprised to know that many people use ajwain for loose motion in babies to cure it naturally.
It also consists of an element called thymol, which acts as a potent germicide and fungicide that prevents the development of unwanted or harmful pathogens in the human body.
Ajwain water is prepared from jwain by mixing awater with it. This magical water is beneficial for those with medical and health problems. There are several ajwain water benefits for babies, especially for those who have digestive issues.
In this guide, we will learn everything about giving ajwain water for babies in detail. So, let’s begin!
What Are Ajwain Seeds?
The scientific name of ajwain is Trachyspermum ammi. In terms of their origin, they are found in regions like Asia Minor or Persian areas.
They are now grown along the river banks throughout the Middle East and India, and North Africa. If we talk about the flavor, it has a refreshing minty flavor and works as an antacid.
It is oval in shape and is highly aromatic.
If we talk about its uses in great detail, it is used in Ayurveda for medicinal purposes. It is believed that ajwain is used in herbal blends and to add flavors in pickles, chickens, fishes, and other spices in Indian cuisines.
These seeds are also used in herbal teas and adds flavors in snacks, biscuits, sauces, soups, and mouth fresheners. Besides, they are used extensively in the preparation of cosmetics in the pharmaceutical industries.
Apart from fiber, fat, proteins, sugar, minerals, ajwain seeds also contain essential oils like terpinene,thymol, pinene, cymene and limonene
Can I Give Ajwain Water To My Infants?
Yes, you can feed ajwain to infants as it is beneficial for them in terms of medicinal value and is the perfect alternative to those human-made products. While using ajwain for newborn babies, you have to take special care while feeding them the water.
Ajwain water has to be fed to infants after the time when they are eight months old. At the initial stage of feeding ajwain water to infants, start it with small amounts. Then gradually start increasing the amounts of feeding ajwain water, especially when they turn one year old.
Ajwain for babies below one year should be mixed well with water and given only 2-3 tsp per day. Repeat this only twice or thrice a week. Also, give them plain ajwain water without adding any sweetener. Sugar will add unnecessary calories.
For infants who have crossed one year and above, you can feed them ¼ cup per day. Nutritional experts highly recommend feeding ajwain water to babies 3-4 times a week.
If you are looking to incorporate ajwain for babies in their diet, once the infants are grown up and become used to it, you can mix it in their foods.
Important Note: While feeding ajwain water to your infants, please consult a doctor or a nutritionist for better advice. Please also take special care of hot temperatures.
How To Make Ajwain Water For Babies?
- Add ½ tsp of Ajwain seeds in a pan
- After that, add 1 cup of water
- Then, mix both well with a spoon
- Let it boil for a few minutes
- Close the container with a lid
- Let it cook on a medium flame for 7-10 minutes
- Then, open the lid once it gets boiled and ajwain is cooked thoroughly
- Once it is cooked and boiled thoroughly, filter the water through a strainer
- Press the leftover ajwain seeds with a spoon and collect the water
- Store it in a container and it is ready to serve
- Make sure to use organic and husk-free ajwain seeds to prepare ajwain water and ajwain powder.
- If you want, you can add jaggery fruit or palm sugar. (Optional)
Note: You can easily prepare Ajwain water with the help of ajwain powder too.
Benefits Of Ajwain Water For Babies
So why is it advised to give ajwain water to babies? What are the benefits? Let’s find out.
1. Ajwain water cures digestive issues
Ajwain for babies is best for their digestive health as infants are more prone to digestive problems. Ajwain promotes the release of gastric acid, which facilitates smooth digestion in babies.
You can prepare ajwain decoction and feed a teaspoon or two to babies above the age of 8 months.
2. Heals respiratory ailments
Ajwain water is also helpful in treating respiratory problems like cough, cold, chest congestion, etc. It is highly efficient in treating asthma from its roots. Massaging baby with ajwain infused oil has been highly advocated to treat cold and cough in babies without resorting to medicines.
3. Natural budget-friendly solution
Ajwain water is also helpful in saving up the money you invest in medicines for every little ailment your baby gets. If we see carefully, ajwain water can solving maximum health-related problems which are becoming common in all age groups these days.
Ajwain water is so useful that instead of medicines, it will be highly beneficial for our body and health if we take Ajwain water. In the case of infants, you have to be very careful while feeding them.
4. Ajwain water for baby constipation
If your baby is constipated, you can use ajwain water to help with the same. Giving ajwain water to babies can help with bowel movement and provide relief from constipation.
5. Upset stomach
Does your little one struggle with upset stomach everytime he or she are introduced a new food? There is a probability that they develop stomach ulcers when they try a new food item. Feeding your child ajwain water after trying a new food will help them accept the food better.
What Are The Possible Side-Effects Of Ajwain In Babies?
Ajwain does not have any side-effects if it is consumed in moderate and limited amounts. But yes, if ajwain is over-consumed or not consumed in proper amounts, then the following can be side-effects of Ajwain in babies, such as stomach ulcers, increase in body temperature, nausea or dizziness.
Alternatives To Ajwain Water For Babies
Apart from Ajwain water, there are other alternatives for babies. The best alternatives for ajwain water areajwain Kada for babies, ajwain expectorant, camphor, and ajwain potli and ajwain massage oil.
Let’s discuss in brief their preparation process along with their benefits and the procedure on how to apply them:
Ajwain herbal drink or kada
Prepare ajwain kada as per the method below and give it to babies over 12 months of age for cold and cough. Feed only a teaspoon or two. This will also help with digestive issues in babies.
Ingredients
- One teaspoon ajwain
- 8-10 tulsi leaves
- ½ teaspoon ginger (grated, optional)
- Five black peppers
- One clove
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
Procedure
- Boil the above ingredients in ½ cup water for 10 minutes.
- Add 1-2 tablespoon of honey or jaggery once it gets boiled thoroughly.
Note: This Kada is only for infants of 1 year and above. Please do consult a doctor before trying this or feeding it to your children.
Camphor and ajwain potli
Procedure
- Roast 2 tablespoons of Ajwain on a Tawa.
- Continue the process for a few minutes unless and until the smell is gone.
- Once the smell is gone, transfer the roasted Ajwain to a clean Muslin cloth.
- After transferring it to a Muslim cloth with some camphor, make a tight pouch or a potli out of it.
Use this potli on the child or infant chest like a hot pad. While applying it to the chest, ensure that it is not very hot. It helps to counter congestion in the chest and also relieves a stuffy nose.
Ajwain oil or ajwain massage oil
Procedure for ajwain oil
- Mix a pinch of Ajwain with a tablespoon of mustard oil or olive oil.
- After mixing Ajwain and mustard oil, heat the mixture for a few seconds.
- Adding a couple of garlic pods for better results is optional.
Apply the oil to the infant or the child’s back once the oil returns to lukewarm temperature. If you have used garlic, this massage will be a very good remedy for severe cold and cough. Ajwain oil massage also cures diarrhea, controls microbial infections, helps in providing relief from indigestion and colic problems. Ajwain oil massage is also helpful for the problem of constipation.
While applying, ensure that the oil temperature is not very hot, as there are chances of skin burns.
Ajwain and Garlic Potli for babies
Ingredients
- One tablespoon Ajwain.
- Two cloves of garlic.
Procedure
- Roast the ingredients.
- Once you roast them thoroughly, put them in a muslin cloth.
After it cools down, place it near your infant or a child while they are sleeping. The smoke helps in clearing the nasal blockage and helps in chest congestion.
Substitute for ajwain seeds
● Dried thyme.
● Mild oregano- Mexican oregano and Greek oregano.
Tips To Avoid Side-Effects Of Ajwain For Babies
- Do not let your baby consume ajwain seeds more than 1-2 teaspoons per day.
- Preferably, let your infant take crushed ajwain seeds after meals.
- If you want to use ajwain seeds for daily use, prepare decoction after boiling in water. Store the decoction at room temperature and drink 50 ml whenever required.
- While eating raw ajwain seeds, first, thoroughly crush it if chewing is not possible and then swallow it.
You must not worry not about the side-effects of the Ajwain water if you are doing everything properly. If you think you don’t have enough confidence about this, you can consult a doctor or a nutritionist anytime.
We all are aware that parents want everything best and perfect for their children, no matter how small that thing is! From perfect birth to an ideal life, no parents, especially these days, will not compromise with anything that is not perfect for their children.
So, how can you expect parents to not focus on their children’s health and food section? Every parent wants their children to have good health in their lives for a comfortable and happy living.
Keep feeding ajwain water for infants in moderate amounts and keep them away from many illnesses and health problems!
The taste, the temperature of the water, and the amount you are feeding are also important because even small negligence in such matters can lead to health-related problems.