CUMIN

It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The botanical name for Cumin is Cuminum cyminum which belongs to the Umbelliferae family. It is also called Jeeragam which helps to digest the food easily and treat digestive problems.

English – Cumin

Tamil – Jeeragam

Hindi – Jeera

Marathi – Jire

Gujarati – Jeeru

Telugu – Jeelakari

Kannada – Jeerige

Malayalam – Jeerakam

Arabian – Kammun

Farsi – Jeera e safed

Sanskrit: Jeeraka

Cumin originated from Egypt, India, Mexico, and North Africa, China. It is usually cultivated in a hot climate and grows at 30 c temperature

It is an annual plant that grows up to 30-50 cm in height. The leaves are alternate, compound with sheeting bases. The flowers are white and it has both male and female together. Fruits are green in color and it turns into grey when it gets ripe. The grain inside the fruit is called seeds.

Part used: seeds

Taste: pungent,sweet

Potency: cold

Action:

• Carminative
• Stimulant
• Stomachic
• Astringent
• Diuretic
• Emmenagogue
• Anti-spasmodic

The major compounds occurring in cumin are cumin aldehyde,

• limonene,
•  α- and β-pinene,
•  1,8-cineole,
•  o- and p-cymene,
•  α- and γ-terpinene,
• safranal and linalool.
• Glucopyranoside

• The black cumin seeds are used in Southeast Asia and Middle East countries to treat asthma, bronchitis, rheumatism, and inflammatory diseases
• It commonly acts against the gastrointestinal, inflammatory, and neurological disorders
• In Iran, it is also used to treat colic, diarrhea, dyspepsia, and flatulence
• In Italy, the seeds are used to treat toothaches, gastrointestinal and neurological diseases

The dose of a drug used according to physicians

Seed: 3 - 6g

• The use of cumin may increase the risk of bleeding. Kindly consult with the doctor if you are taking blood thinners
• The use of cumin may lower blood glucose levels in the blood. So, monitoring of blood sugar levels is required in patients who are taking the anti-diabetic drug

• Do not use this herb if you are allergic to the chemical constituents of cumin
• It is considered safe to use this herb while you are pregnant and breastfeeding 

Diarrhea:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, Diarrhea is called Atisar. Usually, diarrhea occurs due to mental stress, improper food, water, environmental toxins. Diarrhea occurs due to the imbalance of Vata. This brings the fluid into the intestines and mixes it with stool which leads to diarrhea. The use of Ativisha reduce diarrhea by balancing the Vata and it also improves digestion by its absorbent property

Take the required amount of cumin powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and consume it with lukewarm water to treat diarrhea

Modern view: Tannins, terpenoids, and flavonoids in cumin contain an antidiarrheal effect which helps to decrease the peristaltic movement

Flatulence:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, flatulence occurs due to the imbalance of Vata doshas. The use of cumin helps to treat flatulence by balancing Vata and by its Deepan (Appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) activity. It also increases the digestive fire and digests the food easily and prevent the formation of gas

Take the required amount of cumin powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and consume it with lukewarm water to control the formation of gas

High cholesterol:

According to Ayurveda, high cholesterol occurs due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). This impaired digestion occurs due to the accumulation of toxins in the body which leads to the accumulation of cholesterol and causes obstruction in blood vessels. The use of cumin helps to improve the improper digestion by its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) produces which remove the accumulation of bad cholesterol and main normal cholesterol level

Take the required amount of cumin powder and consume it with milk to maintain cholesterol level

Diabetes:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, diabetes is known as Madhumeha. It occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha dosh and impaired digestion. Impaired digestion leads to the accumulation of toxins in the pancreatic cells and affects insulin function. The use of cumin control diabetes by maintaining the function of insulin normally by balancing the Vata-Kapha and improves impaired digestion by reducing the accumulation of toxins which is responsible for impaired digestion.

Colicky pain:

According to Ayurveda, colic pain is also called Shula and this occurs due to the imbalance of Vata. The use of cumin helps to reduce abdominal pain and reduce the formation of gas.

Take the required amount of cumin powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and consume it with lukewarm water to prevent the formation of gas

Menstrual pain:

According to Ayurveda, this is called Kasht-aartava which is controlled by Vata dosha. The use of cumin regulates the Vata and reduces the abdominal pain that occurs during the menstrual cycle by its Vata balancing properties

Skin disorders:

Cumin contains Vitamin E. The essential oil present in the cumin contains disinfectant and anti-fungal effects that prevent the various skin problems

Common benefits of Cumin :

Used in healing the cuts and bleeding and as an antiseptic.

Cumin is a stimulant as well as a great herb for digestive disorders, stimulate the secretion of enzymes from the pancreas which can help absorb nutrients into the system, boost the power of the liver’s ability to detoxify the human body, anticarcinogenic properties, reduce the risk of stomach and liver tumors and also boost the immune system.

Cumin also has useful benefit effects such as increasing urine flow, settling an upset stomach, eliminating gas, and improving the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Cumin Powder:

Take the required amount of cumin powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and consume it with lukewarm water after your meals

Cumin seed essential oil:

Take the required amount of cumin powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and add lukewarm water. Drink this after your meals

Cumin water:

Fill the bottle with hot water and add 2-3 teaspoons of cumin seeds. Leave it overnight. Drink this water in the morning to weight loss

Cumin seeds powder face scrub:

Take the required amount of cumin seed powder and mix it with honey. Apply this paste on your face and wash it with tap water. Use this to treat black and whiteheads

Can drinking cumin water brings you heartburn?

The answer is yes as it may cause heartburn.

What does cumin do to your hair?

It can strengthen hair follicles; especially ones that have been damaged due to chemical damage. 

Cumin is also an awesome hair moisturizer and keeps dry scalp flakes at bay. 

Does cumin make you sleepy?

Cumin seeds can help you to have a goodnight's sleep.

A hormone called melatonin present in the seeds can treat sleep disorders like insomnia.

Is Cumin good for IBS?

Cumin extract can be effective in improving all IBS symptoms.

And it is cost-effective too.

Will cumin seeds reduce weight?

Cumin can be used for weight loss as it is an effective weight loss remedy.

Cumin can help in burning calories faster by increasing the speed of metabolism and improving digestion.

Is jeera water hot or cold for the body?

The hot nature of jeera water assists in drying all the mucus by providing relief from cough and cold.

Drinking a glass of warm jeera water regularly can help to cure sore throat, cough, cold, and other respiratory problems