Carum copticum Benth. & Hook

Section/Chapter Herb database/Dipyaka
Botanical name(s) Carum copticum Benth. & Hook
Family Umbeliferae
Availability Available
Contributors Team Dravyaguna
Year of publication 2026
Publisher Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre
DOI Awaited

Dipyaka (Latin: Carum copticum Benth. & Hook.; family: Umbelliferae) is an annual herbaceous plant widely cultivated for its aromatic fruits. In Ayurveda, it is highly valued as a carminative, digestive stimulant, and Kapha-Vata pacifying medicine.[1]

English Name

Ajowan

Therapeutic Use

Gulma (abdominal lump), Aruchi (anorexia), Adhmana (abdominal distention), Hikka, Chardi (vomiting), Krumi roga (worms), Sula (pain)[1]

Synonyms in Charak Samhita

  • Dipyaka – Increases appetite.
  • Yavani
  • Bhutik
  • Dipya
  • Ajamodika

Synonyms in Bhavaprakasa Nighantu

  • Ajamoda
  • Kharashva – Fruits of ajamoda have an odor similar to a donkey.
  • Maayuro
  • Brahmakusha
  • Kaaravi
  • Lochamastaka[2]

Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties

According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Dipyaka has the following properties:[1]

Sr. No. Pharmacological Criteria Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes)
1 Taste (Rasa) Pungent (Katu)
2 Potency (Veerya) Hot (Ushna)
3 Post-digestion Effect (Vipaka) Pungent (Katu)
4 Qualities (Guna) Light (Laghu), Rough (Ruksha), Sharp (Tikshna)
5 Dosha Action (Karma) Pacifies Kapha and Vata

Reference in Charak Samhita and its Actions

Dipyaka is prominently documented across multiple therapeutic chapters of the Charaka Samhita:

Sr. No. Reference in Charak Samhita Activity / Formulation / Therapeutic Use
1 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 23/20 Santarpanajanya vikar chikitsa (management of over-nutrition disorder)
2 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/170 Harita Varga (Class of green herbs)
3 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/307 Krutanna Varga (Class on food articles)
4 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/69 Ingredient of Hingusauvarchaladya ghrita
5 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/71 Ingredient of Hapushadya ghrita
6 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/86 Ingredient of Shatyadi Churna
7 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/165 Pathya Diet in Gulma (wholesome food in treatment of abdominal lump)
8 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/168 Vata, Kapha and Mala Anulomanarth
9 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/27 Used for making decoction in Kaphaj prameha (diabetes)
10 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/29 Used for making decoction in Kaphaj prameha (diabetes)
11 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/38 Trikantakadhya Tail/Ghrit in Vata-kaphaj prameha (diabetes)
12 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/41 Ingredient in Madhvasava
13 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 9/54 Ingredient in Apara lasunadya Ghrita
14 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 9/55 Ingredient in Apara lasunadya Ghrita
15 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/36 Ingredient in Triphaladhyarishta
16 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/43 Ingredient in Kshar Gudika
17 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/55 Ingredient in Chitrakadi Ghrita
18 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/103 In treatment of Kaphaja uadara roga
19 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/125 As an ingredient of narayan churna
20 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/63 As an ingredient of traushnadi churna

Dose

  • Powder (Churna): 1 – 3 g daily.[1]

Important Formulation

As per A.P.I.[1]

  • Ajamodarka
  • Ajmodadi churna

Current Availability

Available

Current Researches

  • Under development.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. 1 (Part I ed.). Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. 1986. p. 02. 
  2. Chunekar, Krushnachandra (2020). Bhavaprakash Nighantu (Reprint ed.). Chaukhambha Bharati Academy. pp. Haritakyadi varga, verse no.– 77. 

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