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Trachyspermum ammi
COMMON NAME: Ajowan, Ajwain, Yamani, Bishop's Weed, Arjowan, Ajowain, Wild Celery Seed
An annual herb growing to 2 feet with bright green foliage bearing an umbrella flowering stem producing caraway-like seeds. There is little herbal reference in United States and Europe.
The seeds resemble caraway and taste like pepper with anise and thyme. They can been mislabelled as lovage or celery seed. There does seem to be an American cousin naturalized after its arrival from Asia: this plant is called Bishop's Weed, Bishop's Lace or Bishop's Flower (Ammi majus). This plant is not to be confused with Gout's Weed or Bishop's Weed (Aegopodium podagraia) which has a rich herbal history. The Bishop's Weed noted here is a wild flower growing in the southern United States. Bishop's Weed is the South's answer to Queen Ann's Lace which likes cooler temperatures. They are very similar in appearance. There is no herbal reference to Bishop's Weed as there is for Queen Ann's Lace. Science is investigating Bishop's Weed to see if it might fight cancer. Ammi visnaga, an essential oil coming from N. Africa and utilized for asthma, is closely related to Ajowan.
APPLICATION: internally for colds, coughs, influenza, asthma, diarrhoea, cholera, colic, indigestion, wind, oedema, arthritis, rheumatism. Externally for vaginal discharge, rheumatism.
Antiseptic, carminative, germicide. Used for spastic bowel, flatulence, dyspepsia, stimulating the circulation system and appetite, sinus congestion, deep-seated congestion and stagnation in both respiratory and digestive tracts. Used to warm, improve circulation, promote sleep and soothe sore and tight muscles.
It was used in WWII as an antiseptic because of its high thymol content, but now synthetics have taken its place. Sometimes it is still used in cheap perfumes or soap.