Updated 27 January 2024
Botanical characteristics
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Subclass: Rosidae
- Order: Apiales
- Family: Apiaceae
- Genus: Trachyspermum
- Part used: Seeds, plant
- Country of origin: India
Precautions for use
Caution! Ajowan essential oil is intended for adults only and should be handled with care by experienced persons.
It is particularly dermocaustic and must be diluted before any application to the skin.
It should not be inhaled or diffused.
If ingested, it can cause liver damage: do not use it for prolonged periods without medical advice.
Other precautions
Warning:
- Ajowan essential oil is dermocaustic and irritating to mucous membranes and should not be used for prolonged periods without medical advice.
- Its oral use is reserved for therapeutic prescription.
Cutaneous use:
- Any topical application of this essential oil must be preceded by a 15% dilution in vegetable oil (15% essential oil in 85% vegetable oil).
Allergenic components:
Ajowan essential oil contains a single biochemical allergenic compound at very low levels:
- limonene (≤ 1%)
Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).
Authorised users
How to use
Inhalation
Cutaneous
Oral
DiffusionRisks of use
Skin irritation
Pure dermocautic
Respiratory irritant
HepatotoxicProperties
- Broad-spectrum antibacterial action
- Antifungal
- Anti-parasitic
- Antiviral
- Immune stimulant
- General tonic, aphrodisiac
- Transdermal analgesic
- Carminative, Anti-nausea
Indications
- Skin infection (scabies, ringworm, etc.)
- Skin, nail and gynaecological fungal infections
- Abscesses
- Flatulence
- Diarrhoea
- Infectious colitis
- Dyspepsia
- Difficult digestion
- Pancreatitis
- Intestinal worms
- Cold
- Loss of libido
- Sexual fatigue
- Rhinitis
- Bronchitis
- Flu
- Sore throat
- Muscle and joint rheumatism
Directions for use/usual dosage
- For intestinal parasitosis or severe digestive infections, take 2 drops of this EO (possibly mixed with other anti-infective and/or anti-parasitic EOs) internally 3 times a day, diluted in a vegetable oil.
- For skin abscesses, dilute 20% in an ointment or mix this EO with other EOs (Lavandula angustifolia, Melaleuca alternifolia...) and dilute by half in an ointment, apply topically 3 times a day for 1 week to 10 days.