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Yavani

Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague

Yavani (Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague) is a plant drug, also called Dipyakah, Yavagrajah and Yavanika, from the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family. Not in specific WHO monographs for Trachyspermum ammi; thymol (active constituent) is recognized in pharmacopeias globally; included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Indian Pharmacopoeia.

Key facts
Botanical nameTrachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague
FamilyApiaceae (Umbelliferae) · other entries in this family
OrderApiales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot in specific WHO monographs for Trachyspermum ammi; thymol (active constituent) is recognized in pharmacopeias globally; included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Indian Pharmacopoeia
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3034241 · Wikidata Q413254 · NCBI Taxonomy 52570
Names in other languages
Sanskritयवानी (yavānī), दीप्यकः (dīpyakaḥ), यवाग्रजः (yavāgrajaḥ), यवानिका (yavānikā)
Hindiअजवाइन (ajavāina)
Tamilஓமம்

Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part I Vol I carries the monograph "Yavani (Fruit)" for Trachyspermum ammi (Linn.) Sprague, and API Part II lists Yamani/Yavani as Trachyspermum ammi Fr. in compound formulations; Rajanighantu 6.38-40 (via wisdomlib) treats Yavani as the head term with fourteen synonyms.; Hindi-language Trachyspermum ammi monograph on drvashishtsayuremedies (sites.google.com/site/drvashishtsayuremedies/ajwain-trachyspermum-ammi): "अजवायन को हिंदी में अजवाइन, ज़वेन कहा जाता है ... इसका वानस्पतिक नाम ट्रकीस्पर्मम् ऐम्मी (Trachyspermum ammi) है"; the Tata 1mg Hindi monograph uses the same spelling.; Rajanighantu (13th c.) 6.38-40, via wisdomlib's Yavani entry, listing Yavanika among the fourteen synonyms of Yavani (Trachyspermum ammi).; Rajanighantu (13th c.) 6.38-40, via wisdomlib's Yavani entry, which opens the fourteen synonyms of Yavani with Dipyaka and Dipya.; Rajanighantu (13th c.) verses 6.38-40, via wisdomlib's Yavani entry, lists fourteen synonyms of Yavani (Trachyspermum ammi) including यवाग्रज (Yavagraja), alongside दीप्यक, दीप्य, यावासाह्व, यवज, दीपनीय, उग्रगन्धा, वातारि, भूकदम्बक, दीपनी, शूलहन्त्री, यवानिका, उग्रा, तीव्रगन्धा.; University of Madras Tamil Lexicon (via agarathi.com) entry for ஓமம்: "Bishop's-weed, herbaceous plant, Carum copticum", with J. P. Fabricius and Winslow's Tamil-English dictionaries giving the same sense. Carum copticum is a listed taxonomic synonym of Trachyspermum ammi on the IMPPAT Trachyspermum ammi page.. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2016 to 2026, 11 with a DOI.

  • 1Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • 2Randomised controlled trials
  • 3Other clinical studies and reviews
  • 6Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishYavani
Latin/BotanicalTrachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Thymol (major active, 35-60% of essential oil)
  • Carvacrol
  • Gamma-terpinene
  • Para-cymene
  • Alpha-pinene and beta-pinene
  • Dietary fiber, protein, and mineral matter

How does it work?

  • Antimicrobial activity through thymol-mediated disruption of bacterial cell membrane integrity and inhibition of efflux pumps
  • Antispasmodic and bronchodilatory effect via calcium channel blockade and anticholinergic smooth muscle relaxation
  • Antihypertensive mechanism through thymol-mediated vasodilation and ACE inhibitory activity
  • Digestive stimulation through enhancement of digestive enzyme secretion and bile flow promotion

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Digestive stimulant and carminative (Deepana-Pachana): traditionally used to stimulate digestion and as a carminative. Studies have reported increased enzyme secretion and antispasmodic activity.
  • Anti-flatulence (Anaha-nashaka): traditionally used for bloating and gas. Studies have reported antispasmodic and carminative effects.
  • Anti-cough and respiratory (Kasa-Shvasa-hara): traditionally used for cough and breathing complaints. Studies have reported bronchodilatory and expectorant effects.
  • Anti-parasitic and anthelmintic (Krimighna): traditionally used against intestinal parasites. Studies have reported nematicidal and anthelmintic activity of thymol.

What do recent studies show?

No study for this section could be traced to a published paper. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for culinary use; essential oil at high concentration may cause skin and mucosal irritation
  • Excessive consumption may cause photosensitivity, nausea, and headache; thymol in large doses is hepatotoxic; not recommended in large medicinal doses during pregnancy due to uterotonic effects

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Carvacrol
  • Thymol
  • Gamma-terpinene
  • Para-cymene
  • Alpha-pinene and beta-pinene
  • Dietary fiber

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (seed powder), Kwatha (decoction), Essential oil, Capsule, Tablet, Ark (distillate), Satva (concentrated essence)

Standard Dosage: 1-3 g seed powder twice daily with warm water; 2-5 drops essential oil in warm water; 15-30 mL Ark twice daily

Optimal Timing: After meals for digestive/carminative action; before meals for appetite stimulation; Ajwain water (Ark) throughout the day for flatulence

Storage: Whole seeds in airtight containers at 15-25 deg C. Essential oil in amber glass, tightly sealed. Thymol crystals in airtight glass containers away from heat (melting point 49-51 deg C). Ark in glass bottles, protected from light.

Marker Compounds: Thymol, p-Cymene, gamma-Terpinene, alpha-Pinene, beta-Pinene, Carvacrol, Terpinen-4-ol, Limonene

Synergistic Combinations

  • Saindhava Lavana (rock salt) - carminative and digestive synergy (Ajwain + Namak)
  • Haritaki - digestive and laxative combination (Yavanyadi Churna)
  • Hingu (asafoetida) - anti-flatulent synergy
  • Shunthi (ginger) - comprehensive digestive stimulant formula
  • Methi (fenugreek) - gastric and metabolic combination

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1

  1. Elkhouly AM, Baldam MY, Al-Touny S and others. 2024. Medicinal Plants Cultivated in Egypt with Antiviral Potential: A Systematic ReviewAlternative therapies in health and medicine. PMID 39110055

Randomised controlled trials2

  1. Mahmoudpour Z, Shokri J, Kamalinejad M and others. 2019. The efficacy of a Persian herbal formulation on functional bloating: A double-blind randomized controlled trialJournal of integrative medicine. PMID 31201146 · doi:10.1016/j.joim.2019.05.007
  2. Petramfar P, Moein M, Samani SM and others. 2016. Trachyspermum ammi 10 % topical cream versus placebo on neuropathic pain, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialNeurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology. PMID 27166709 · doi:10.1007/s10072-016-2600-3

Other clinical studies and reviews3

  1. Prakash R, Gupta N, Sharma N and others. 2026. Biomedical and industrial applications of Trachyspermum ammi-derived nanoparticles: a comprehensive reviewDiscover nano. PMID 41547697 · doi:10.1186/s11671-026-04436-6
  2. Perera WPRT, Liyanage JA, Dissanayake KGC and others. 2021. Antiviral Potential of Selected Medicinal Herbs and Their Isolated Natural ProductsBioMed research international. PMID 34926691 · doi:10.1155/2021/7872406
  3. Rameshk M, Kalantari-Khandani S. 2021. Efficacy of Six Plants of Apiaceae Family for Body Weight Management: A Review from the Perspective of Modern and Traditional Persian MedicineCurrent drug discovery technologies. PMID 33023434 · doi:10.2174/1570163817999201006192538

Laboratory and animal studies6

  1. Kumar RS, Ankola AV, Sankeshwari RM and others. 2024. Clinical and microbial evaluation of mouthwash containing Achyranthes aspera and Trachyspermum ammi: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trialJournal of oral biology and craniofacial research. PMID 39055999 · doi:10.1016/j.jobcr.2024.06.006
  2. Kumar RS, Ankola AV, Nagamoti MB and others. 2024. Antibacterial and cytotoxicity properties of a polyherbal mouthwash containing Achyranthes aspera and Trachyspermum ammi against selected periodontal pathogensJournal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 39427482 · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2024.101046
  3. Siyadatpanah A, Norouzi R, Mirzaei F and others. 2023. Green synthesis of nano-liposomes containing Bunium persicum and Trachyspermum ammi essential oils against TrichomonasvaginalisJournal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi. PMID 35864068 · doi:10.1016/j.jmii.2022.06.006
  4. Sachan N, Saraswat N, Chandra P and others. 2022. Isolation of Thymol from Trachyspermum ammi Fruits for Treatment of Diabetes and Diabetic Neuropathy in STZ-Induced RatsBioMed research international. PMID 35528161 · doi:10.1155/2022/8263999
  5. Hyder M, Li Y, Wang M and others. 2022. Insecticidal activity, Chemical Constituents of Trachyspermum ammi, Withania coagulans and Murraya koenigii ethanloic extracts against Bemisia tabaciBrazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia. PMID 35920500 · doi:10.1590/1519-6984.260298
  6. Selvaraj K, Katare DP, Chand S and others. 2021. Trachyspermum ammi and Cinnamomum verum as nutraceuticals: Spices rich in therapeutically significant protein tyrosine phosphatasesJournal of food biochemistry. PMID 33954990 · doi:10.1111/jfbc.13750

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

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