Ajwain For Cold And Cough In Babies

Our kids dealing with common cold and cough happens quite often. There are certain conventional and tested methods like steam inhalation, nebulization (to relieve chest congestion), taking supplements, gargling salt water, hot water bath and many more which work well for adults, but could be inapplicable or sometimes uncomfortable, for babies. Mother Nature has in it’s bounty a wonder seed called Ajwain or carom seed. Colloquially called Omam, this common Indian spice doubles up as remedy for cold. Let us discover how useful is this Ajwain For Cold And Cough In Babies.

What makes Ajwain so powerful and wonderful?

• Ajwain seeds contain minerals, vitamins, anti-oxidants and fiber.
• Thymol in ajwain seeds is loaded with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties which aid in relieving cough and cold related congestion.
• The seeds are known to cure digestive and respiratory problems.
• It also helps to relieve babies from chronic colic and constipation problems.
• It’s major component ‘thymol’ makes it even more potent as a fungicide and a pesticide, thus preventing the development of undesired pathogens.
• It could also treat gastric problems in babies.
• It is known to release gastric acid which can enhance appetite and facilitate smooth digestion in kids.

Also read How to relieve nasal congestion & stuffy nose in babies

When to introduce Ajwain to infants?

Ajwain could be introduced as early as 8 months of age. However, care should be taken to introduce it in small quantities. For babies, the best way to introduce it in foods is by adding it in plain water. Gradually you could use the powdered version of it and add it in the preparations- parathas, puris, pulao could be the best options for your babies.

You can also read about Home Remedies For Cold And Cough In Babies.

Ajwain For Cold And Cough In Babies

Now you know why Ajwain is a wonder seed. But how and where do we incorporate it to enjoy its benefits? Mentioning those particular ways to use Ajwain For Cold And Cough In Babies below:

Ajwain infused water

Simple as it may sound, this option has been in practice for ages. In half a litre of water add 1tsp of carom seeds, or ajwain. Boil the water for 10-15 minutes. Let it cool down and store it in a bottle. The recommended dosage is 2-3 tsp twice a day. And the recommended age limit is 6months and above.

Also read Health Benefits Of Turmeric Milk For Cold & Cough

Ajwain kada or Ajwain concoction

An age old remedy which is still religiously followed even today; this is a simple method to combat cold and cough in babies.

Ingredients:

Ajwain – 1 teaspoon

Tulsi leaves – 10-12

Dry ginger powder – ½ teaspoon (optional)

Clove – 1

Fennel seeds- ¼ tsp

Black pepper – 4

Turmeric – ½ tsp

Jaggery – 1/3 cup

Water – ½ cup

Method:

Mix all the ingredients in a heavy bottomed pan and boil for 10 minutes. Strain the liquid and let it cool and then give it to your little one. You could add a natural sweetener like honey (1tsp) to the liquid after it cools down. The recommended dosage would be 1tsp – 1.5 tsp thrice a day for 3 days. However care should be taken to not mix it with the allopathy medicines to avoid any undesirable effect.

Also read is Nebulization safe for kids suffering from cold

Ajwain potli or Ajwain heat pad

One of the most effective and easiest method is Ajwain potli. Take two spoonfuls of ajwain and heat it in a pan for a few minutes, until a strong pungent fragrance starts to emanate from it. remove the ajwain from the pan and place it on a clean cloth and tie it like a potli. Just like how we use a heat pad, similarly this potli could be used to massage gently on the chest of the baby to relieve congestion and nose blocks. The only thing to take care of is that the potli should be just warm enough to deliver the desired effect.

Also read Saline Drops For Babies - How To Administer Them

Garlic-ajwain potli

Garlic is potent as an anti-bacterial food which helps in cure common cough and cold in babies as well as digestive disorders. The preparation part is similar to the previous one. Roast 2-3 peeled garlic cloves and 1 tsp of ajwain seeds until the garlicky smell emanates from it. Allow it to cool for a few minutes. Make a potli of the ingredients and place it on the bedside of your child’s cot, or below the pillow, or on the one end of the room. The fragrance of garlic will have the desired effect on your baby, and she will feel relieved of congestion in no time.  Do not take it directly close to your baby, as the strong fumes of the garlic could be suffocating or too strong for your baby.

Garlic-based remedial oil

Garlic could also be incorporated into the preparation of a simple, yet effective home-made oil which helps in relieving congestion in babies. The 2-step method of preparation makes it a total hassle-free and a convenient option for mommies. Take 2-3 peeled cloves of garlic and roast it on the pan until they char. Mix it with oil and mash it. The oil is ready for use. You are at a liberty to choose any of the mentioned oils: sesame oil, cooking oil, mustard oil, olive oil or coconut oil. The method of application is also simple. Apply 4-5 drops of oil on the baby’s chest and neck and gently massage. Leave it for a few minutes. And the effect of the oil would start within 20-30 minutes making it one of the most effective remedies using Ajwain For Cold And Cough In Babies.

Also read other Health Benefits Of Garlic

Ajwain infused oil massage

A combination of mustard oil and ajwain seeds could be the answer to your quest for a quick home remedy to treat/prevent cold and cough in babies. This is how you could do it:

• Take mustard oil in a pan and add 3-4 tsp of ajwain, or carom seeds in it
• Let it heat until the fumes appear.
• Turn off and let it cool. Store it in a jar.
• Massage your baby on the chest, neck and back area with this oil.

However, this method is effective only on babies of upto 8-10 months of age. To make it more effective you could also add 4-5 cloves as it makes it more stronger in it’s compositon.

Ajwain infused jaggery powder

A mixture of ajwain and jaggery water helps in relieving nose block and helps in providing relief from cough thus allowing your baby to have reasonably good night’s sleep.

However, it is important to note that this powdered mixture should be given to babies of only 1 year and above. For smaller babies, ajwain infused jaggery water is a safer option.

 A mixture consisting of equal amounts of jaggery along with powdered dry and roasted ajwain could be stored in an air-tight container. 1tsp of this mixture (mixed with honey or ghee) could be given twice a day to your baby for a steady and quick relief from congestion. For older kids you could also give 2tsp of the same mixture.

Ajwain soup for cold & cough

Hot soups loaded with vegetables are one of the best ways to soothe a cold and a nose block. Hence you could dry roast ajwain and powder it before mixing the same to the soup. Add a small pinch of it to the soup before you serve it to your baby. The twin benefits of ajwain and soup could work very well for your baby.