Omam, ajwain in Hindi, is carom, a small annual of the carrot family whose tiny, ridged fruits smell strongly of thyme. Tamil homes boil it into omam water for indigestion and colic, and North Indian cooks add it to parathas, pakoras and dal. Its scent comes from thymol, the same compound found in thyme. The leafy plant called ajwain patta is a different plant, Indian borage.
- Botanical name
- Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Tamil
- Omam
- Hindi
- Ajwain
- Sanskrit
- Yavānī
- Parts used
- Dried fruit
- Habit
- Small annual umbellifer with a thyme-scented fruit
- Last updated
- 2026-10-30
How to recognise Omam
It is a small annual herb, usually knee-high, with finely divided leaves.
Small white flowers grow in umbels.
The fruits are tiny, about two millimetres, grey-brown, egg-shaped and rough with small bumps.
Crushed fruits release a sharp thyme-like smell.
Cumin fruits are longer and smoother.
Traditional use of Omam
Household
Omam water, fruits boiled or steeped in water, is given for indigestion and colic.
Tamil household practice
Kitchen
Ajwain is added to paratha dough, pakora batter, dal and pickles.
North Indian food practice
Ayurveda
Yavani is used in Ayurveda for digestion and wind.
Ayurvedic practice
Household
Warm, dry-roasted ajwain tied in cloth is used as a compress for chest congestion.
North Indian household practice
Modern notes on Omam
Thymol, its main aroma compound, has antiseptic properties and was once extracted from ajwain as crystals.
Rajasthan and Gujarat grow most of India’s ajwain.
Ajwain powder goes stale quickly and is easy to adulterate.
Omam safety
Ajwain is safe in cooking amounts. Never put ajwain oil in a baby’s nose or mouth, and avoid concentrated oil in pregnancy.
Ecology and sourcing
It is grown across India, Iran and the Middle East.
It is a cool-season crop.
Bees visit its small white umbels.
Rain at flowering damages the crop, so it suits dry winters.
Related plants
Also in Apiaceae
Questions about Omam
Is ajwain the same as thyme?
No. They share the compound thymol.
What is ajwain patta?
Indian borage, a different, leafy plant.
What is omam water?
Ajwain boiled or steeped in water.
Is Omam a seed?
Botanically, it is a dried fruit.
Is ajwain oil safe for babies?
No.
How do I make omam water?
Boil a teaspoon of ajwain in two cups of water, strain and cool.
Sources
- Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q413254 (Trachyspermum ammi)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.