They have a flavor similar to anise and oregano. They smell almost exactly like thyme because they contain thymol, but they are more aromatic and less subtle in taste, as well as being somewhat bitter and pungent. Even a small number of fruits tends to dominate the flavor of a dish.
Ajwain is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine primarily for stomach disorders such as indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea and colic.