10 Traditional Gut Health Indian Foods to Try

6. Ajwain (Carom Seeds) — A Pocket Remedy for Bloating

Ajwain, or carom seeds, is a kitchen classic for quick relief from gas and bloating, and many families keep a small jar near the stove. The seeds contain thymol and other compounds that relax intestinal muscles and reduce gas formation when chewed or brewed into a warm infusion. Traditional remedies include chewing a pinch after a heavy meal or boiling seeds in water to make a sipping decoction. In cooking, ajwain is often used in tadka or dough for parathas and pakoras to make fried or heavy foods easier to digest. Fortune Foods and Ayurvedic practitioners commonly recommend ajwain for its immediate, practical effect on digestive discomfort. Use it sparingly: a little goes a long way in tempering and chutneys. If you have GERD or take medication that affects gastric secretion, monitor how spices affect your symptoms and adjust usage accordingly.