Ajowan caraway
Trachyspermum ammi

Family: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae

What it is like

Trachyspermum ammi is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in). It is frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Damp ground.

Europe to eastern Asia in the Himalayas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

The pungently aromatic fruits are about 2cm long. They are used as a flavouring in savoury dishes, including curries, pulses, breads and pastry snacks.

Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Medicine

Rating: 3

The seed, and especially the essential oil in the seed, is strongly antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, bitter, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant and tonic. It is used internally in the treatment of colds, coughs, influenza, asthma, diarrhoea, cholera, colic, indigestion, wind, oedema, arthritis and rheumatism. The seed is harvested when fully ripe and either distilled for the essential oil or dried for later use. The seed contains about 4 - 6% essential oil, of which 45 - 55% is the strongly antiseptic essential oil 'thymol'. The essential oil is also added to cough medicines. The root is carminative and diuretic.

Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.

Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.

Aromatic: Having an agreeable odour and stimulant qualities.

Bitter: Increases the appetite and stimulates digestion by acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Also increases the flow of bile, stimulates repair of the gut wall lining and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucogen.

Cholera: Used in the treatment of cholera - an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria.

Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.

Digestive: Aids digestion.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating:

The seeds are rich in essential oil, 30 - 35% of which is thymol, which is more commonly found in Thymus species. The essential oil is added to epoxy derivatives. It is used in perfumes.

Essential: Essential oils that are used in perfumery, medicines, paint solvents, insect repellents etc.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Requires a moist soil in a sunny position. This species is not frost tolerant, but it might be possible to grow it outdoors in Britain as a spring sown annual. The plant is extensively cultivated as a spice in S. W. Asia.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species, but suggest that you try sowing the seed in situ in April. If this is not successful, then an earlier sowing in the greenhouse in March, planting out after the last expected frosts might be better. It is quite possible that this species will not like to be transplanted, so either sow 4 - 5 seeds per pot, or sow in a tray and transplant to individual pots as soon as the seedlings are big enough to handle.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

T. copticum. Ammi copticum. Carum copticum.