Why Ajwain in Winter Is a Secret Weapon for Blocked Nose and Chest Cold or Congestion

Winter is here in its full form, and most of the time it brings along a barrage of infections, which include sinus, allergies, colds, and cough. Many times, you may have woken up from sleep and failed to have a good one due to sinusitis. Doctors say it happens when your nasal passages get inflamed. While sinusitis does clear up on its own, if it is persistent, you can try a simple home remedy, which for sure works – ajwain steam. Also known as Bishop’s weed or carrom seeds, ajwain steam is a powerful way to open a blocked nose and get instant relief from a coughing bout. Being incredibly nutritious, rich in fibre, antioxidants, and other vitamins and minerals, ajwain is associated with health benefits and has long been used in traditional Indian

medicine practices.

What is ajwain steam?

Ajwain steam works like a decongestant due to its natural thymol compounds that help clear your phlegm, open airways, and reduce sinus swelling. It cuts through cold, cough, chest congestion, and even winter-triggered asthma. Simple. Affordable. Often more effective than store-bought solutions. It is a traditional remedy using steam from hot water infused with a few ajwain seeds, which you can boil in water, then inhale the vapour with a towel over the head. It acts as a natural decongestant and anti-inflammatory treatment.

How to make ajwain steam?

• Boil water
• Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a pot
• Add ajwain
• Add one to two teaspoons of ajwain seeds - crushed or whole, to the boiling water
• Simmer
• Let it simmer for 8 to 10 minutes to release the oils
• Inhale
• Remove from heat, place a towel over your head and the pot, and lean over to inhale the steam deeply through your nose and mouth.

You can also make ajwain tea in a similar method, by straining the boiled seeds and having it with a teaspoon of honey.

Other benefits of ajwain

Fight bacteria and fungi

Carom seeds have powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties - likely attributed to two of their active compounds, thymol and carvacrol, which have been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. These are particularly useful when it comes to treating food poisoning.

Improves cholesterol

Experts say carom seeds lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are major risk factors for heart disease. Ajwain seed extract is effective in lowering total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while also increasing levels of heart-protective HDL (good) cholesterol.

Lower blood pressure levels

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition that increases your risk of heart disease and strokes. Traditional treatment involves the use of medications like calcium-channel blockers. These blockers prevent calcium from entering the cells of your heart and relax and expand blood vessels, resulting in lower blood pressure.

Combats indigestion

Carom seeds are also commonly used as a household remedy for digestive issues in Ayurvedic medicine. Studies say ajwain can combat peptic ulcers - sores of the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine.