Talk:Dipyaka

Dipyaka

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

Carum copticum Benth. & Hook., commonly known as Dipyaka or Ajowan, 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.

English Name

Ajowan

Therapeutic Use

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

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

Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties

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

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.

Important Formulations

As per A.P.I.

• Ajamodarka
• Ajmodadi churna

Current Availability

Available

Major Phytoconstituents

The pharmacological efficacy of Trachyspermum ammi is predominantly attributed to its essential oil content, which ranges from 2% to 5%. The primary active constituent is thymol (accounting for 35% to 60% of the oil), accompanied by p-cymene, γ-terpinene, α-pinene, β-pinene, and carvacrol.

Therapeutic Efficacy & Modern Scientific Research

Modern pharmacological evaluations and clinical studies validate many of the traditional claims associated with *Trachyspermum ammi*. Its core therapeutic domains include:

1. Gastrointestinal and Carminative Activity (Deepana & Pachana)

• Traditional Use: Used for *Gulma* (abdominal lump), *Adhmana* (abdominal distention), *Aruchi* (anorexia), and *Sula* (colic pain).
• Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: Animal and in vitro studies demonstrate that the extract and essential oil of *T. ammi* exhibit significant anti-spasmodic (anticholinergic-like) and smooth-muscle relaxing properties. The carminative action is primarily mediated by thymol, which stimulates the secretion of gastric juices, enhances metabolic activity, and relieves flatulence and intestinal colic.

2. Antimicrobial and Antifungal Efficacy (Krumiroga)

• Traditional Use: Employed in *Krumi roga* (parasitic and microbial infections).
• Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: *T. ammi* essential oil and isolated thymol exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic bacteria (including *Staphylococcus aureus*, *Escherichia coli*, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*) and fungi (such as *Candida albicans*). The high phenolic content disrupts microbial cell membranes, causing leakage of intracellular constituents.

3. Respiratory Support (Hikka & Bronchodilation)

• Traditional Use: Used in respiratory distress, asthma (*Swasa*), and cough.
• Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: Pharmacological studies confirm that the bronchodilator activity of *T. ammi* is comparable to standard reference drugs (like theophylline/atropine). The relaxation of tracheal chains by thymol and carvacrol facilitates easier airflow, validating its traditional use in obstructive airway diseases.

4. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties

• Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: *T. ammi* seeds possess significant free-radical scavenging abilities due to their high concentration of phenolic compounds. In vivo anti-inflammatory models show that extracts can reduce acute and chronic inflammation, partly by inhibiting inflammatory pathways and prostaglandin synthesis.

Summary of Therapeutic Profile

Therapeutic Applications of Trachyspermum ammi

Indication	Active Biomolecules	Primary Pharmacological Action
Gastrointestinal Colic / Flatulence	Thymol, Carvacrol	Spasmolytic, Digestive stimulant, Carminative
Microbial / Fungal Infections	Essential Oils, Phenolics	Cell membrane disruption, Broad-spectrum antimicrobial
Respiratory Disorders / Asthma	Thymol, p-cymene	Bronchodilation, Tracheal smooth muscle relaxation
Inflammation / Oxidative Stress	Phenolic compounds	Free-radical scavenging, Anti-inflammatory pathway inhibition

Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage

• Precautions: Due to the hot potency (Ushna veerya) and sharp qualities (Tikshna guna), it should be used cautiously in individuals with high Pitta aggravation or severe gastritis.
• Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
  • Fruit Powder (Churna): 1 – 3 g daily.

References

Herbs

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