I Tried Ban Silam (Himalayan Mint) Seeds - Dipesh Dulal

When it comes to nutritional- and/or health benefits of some random herbs as suggested by social circles, Nepalese people tend to run for it. So did I for ban silam (himalayan mint seeds).

On a random summer day this year, I saw a poster at my neighborhood shop indicating they have it. It was written "यहाँ बन सिलाम पाइन्छ।" on a plain white paper with black marker - a conventional marketing by Nepalese shops. Initially I did not care much about it. However, later in few days, somebody told me that it has become much popular in Nepal.

Hence, I decided to try it. I went to the shop and asked the shopkeeper about its benefits. He said that it is said to heal the body pain. The price was NRs 1000 per kg. I decided to buy 250 gm. He suggested that I needed to keep the seeds in an air-tight dry container.

At home, I washed half spoonful of seeds and kept it in drinking water overnight. In the morning, I saw that the seeds were surrounded by jelly-like balls. I knew that it would happen as I had researched a bit more about it. What next? - I consumed the water with few seeds. I must admit that I could not drink the whole water with seeds because of its taste, or my body's response.

What's next? Perhaps, I could try roasting the seeds and mixing with morning breakfast (muesli and milk).