Ever indulged in all the delicious foods only to feel like this afterwards?
via GIPHY
Yup. Me too. However, my panacea for ailments related to the stomach is not a bottle of pink shtuff; it’s carom! Originating from India, carom (also known as bishop’s weed or Ajwain) has a look similar to cumin, a taste similar to oregano, and a smell almost exactly like thyme. Carom — in fact — contains thymol, which is a strong germicide, anti-spasmodic, and fungicide. Don’t be fooled by these little fruits (yup, fruits not seeds!) – they pack quite a punch!
Used in Ayurveda, a system of medicine with roots in India, carom can be used internally as well as topically. I munch on a pinch — that’s all you need — of these raw fruits whenever I have an upset stomach. My stomach settles down in 5-10 minutes.
You can make a stomach soothing herbal tea by dry roasting carom, adding water to the roasted fruits, and bringing them to a boil in a bit of water. This tea can be pungent but is also incredibly soothing.
Lastly, crushing the fruits allows you to make a topical poultice to ease rheumatic pain and arthritis. Is there anything carom can’t do!? I’ll take this herb-ane 😉 cure over pink Pepto anyday!
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or nutritionist. As with anything, please consult a physician if you have any questions.
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