Cumin
Cumin
Cumin is a spice that has culinary as well as medicinal uses. Cuminaldehyde is an important chemical present in Cumin that is responsible for a number of health benefits.
Cumin helps in weight management as it increases metabolism and also manages cholesterol levels in the body. Drinking cumin water in the morning helps in weight loss. It is good for the management of anemia as it is a rich source of iron. Cumin is also beneficial in managing blood pressure as it helps to relax the blood vessels and improve blood flow. Adding cumin seeds to your daily diet helps prevent digestive disorders like indigestion and flatulence due to its carminative property.
Applying Cumin oil on the skin helps in various skin problems due to its antifungal property. Cumin seed powder along with honey can also be applied to the skin to get rid of blackheads and dullness.
Cumin may increase the risk of bleeding if taken along with blood thinners so it should be used cautiously[2][3][7].
Cumin helps in weight management as it increases metabolism and also manages cholesterol levels in the body. Drinking cumin water in the morning helps in weight loss. It is good for the management of anemia as it is a rich source of iron. Cumin is also beneficial in managing blood pressure as it helps to relax the blood vessels and improve blood flow. Adding cumin seeds to your daily diet helps prevent digestive disorders like indigestion and flatulence due to its carminative property.
Applying Cumin oil on the skin helps in various skin problems due to its antifungal property. Cumin seed powder along with honey can also be applied to the skin to get rid of blackheads and dullness.
Cumin may increase the risk of bleeding if taken along with blood thinners so it should be used cautiously[2][3][7].
What are the synonyms of Cumin?
Cuminum cyminum, Ajaji, Jiraka, Ajajika, Jira, Sadajira, Jiru, Jirautmi, Safed jira, Jirage, Safed Zoor, Jeerakam, Pandhare jire, Dhalajeera, Chitta jira, Sheeragam, Chirakam, Jilakarra, Zira, Zirasafed[1].
What is the source of Cumin?
Plant Based
Benefits of Cumin
Modern Science View
Cumin might be beneficial in managing diarrhea. Diarrhea occurs due to an increased peristaltic movement. This increases frequency of stool and results in loss of water and electrolytes. Tannins, terpenoids and flavonoids in Cumin have antidiarrheal effect. These constituents reduce the peristaltic movement. Thus, Cumin helps to reduce the stool frequency and manages diarrhea[3][6][10].
Ayurvedic View
Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid in the intestine from various tissues from the body and mixes with the stool. This leads to loose, watery motions or diarrhea. Cumin is good to control diarrhea because it improves Agni (digestive fire) and controls Vata due to its Deepan property. It also has Grahi (absorbent) property that helps to retain fluid in the intestine and reduce the frequency of motion.
Tips:
1. Take ¼-1/2 teaspoon of Cumin powder.
2. Swallow it with lukewarm water twice a day after taking food to control diarrhea.
Tips:
1. Take ¼-1/2 teaspoon of Cumin powder.
2. Swallow it with lukewarm water twice a day after taking food to control diarrhea.
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available to support the role of Cumin in fluid retention[6].
Modern Science View
Gas formation occurs due to an impaired digestion. Cumin has carminative and antiflatulent properties. These properties improve digestion and reduce gas formation[3][4][6].
Ayurvedic View
Gas is caused due to an imbalance of Vata and Pitta dosha. Low Pitta dosha and aggravated Vata dosha results in low digestive fire, thus impairing digestion. Impaired digestion leads to gas formation or flatulence. Taking Cumin regularly in the diet helps to correct impaired digestion. It improves Agni (digestive fire ) and reduces gas. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties.
Tips:
1. Take ¼-1/2 teaspoon of Cumin powder.
2. Swallow it with lukewarm water twice a day after taking food to control gas or flatulence.
Tips:
1. Take ¼-1/2 teaspoon of Cumin powder.
2. Swallow it with lukewarm water twice a day after taking food to control gas or flatulence.
Modern Science View
Due to its carminative, stimulant and analgesic properties, Cumin might be beneficial in managing colic. Apart from this, Cumin is also known to have anti-ulcerogenic property[3][6][11].
Ayurvedic View
In Ayurveda, Colic pain is commonly known as Shula. This is due to an aggravation of Vata. Cumin helps to relieve abdominal pain due to an accumulation of gas in the abdomen. This is due to its Vata balancing property.
Tip
Take ¼-1/2 teaspoon of Cumin powder.
Swallow it with lukewarm water twice a day after taking food to manage colic pain.
Tip
Take ¼-1/2 teaspoon of Cumin powder.
Swallow it with lukewarm water twice a day after taking food to manage colic pain.
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available to support the role of Cumin in increasing sexual desire[6].
Modern Science View
Cumin might be beneficial in managing menstrual problems like delayed and painful menstruation. Cumin seeds contain iron that is 5 times more than the daily need of an adult. It thus makes up for the loss of iron during the menstrual cycle[4][6][12][13].
Ayurvedic View
Menstrual problems like dysmenorrhea is the pain or cramps during or before a menstrual period. In Ayurveda, this condition is known as Kasht-aartava. According to Ayurveda, Aartava or Menstruation is controlled and governed by Vata dosha. So it is important that in a woman, Vata should be under control to manage dysmenorrhea. Cumin has the property of balancing Vata and is good to control dysmenorrhea.
Tips:
1. Take ¼-1/2 teaspoon of Cumin powder.
2. Swallow it with lukewarm water twice a day after taking food to manage menstrual problems.
Tips:
1. Take ¼-1/2 teaspoon of Cumin powder.
2. Swallow it with lukewarm water twice a day after taking food to manage menstrual problems.
How effective is Cumin?
Insufficient evidence
Colicky pain, Diarrhea, Flatulence (gas formation), Fluid retention, Increasing sexual desire, Menstrual pain, Pain due to smooth muscle spasm
Precautions when using Cumin
Other Interaction
Modern Science View
Cumin may increase the risk of bleeding. So if you are on therapy of blood thinners, please consult a doctor[6].
Patients with diabetes
Modern Science View
Cumin may lower the blood sugar level. So it is generally advised to monitor the blood sugar regularly while taking Ginger with anti diabetic drugs[6].
Recommended Dosage of Cumin
- Cumin Oil - 1-2 drops twice a day.
- Cumin Churna - ½ to 1 teaspoon twice a day.
How to use Cumin
1. Cumin Churna
a. Take ½ to 1 teaspoon of cumin.
b. Swallow it with lukewarm water twice a day after meals.
2. Cumin seed essential oil
a. Take 1-2 drops of cumin oil in a glass.
b. Add lukewarm water.
c. Drink twice a day after meals.
d. Cumin Seeds Kwatha(decoction)
e. Take 4 to 8 teaspoons of kwath.
f. Drink it with lukewarm water twice a day after meals.
3. Cumin Water
a. Fill the water bottle with hot water
b. Add 1-2 teaspoons of cumin seeds to it
c. Let it stand for overnight
d. Drink this water in the morning to facilitates weight loss[7].
a. Take ½ to 1 teaspoon of cumin.
b. Swallow it with lukewarm water twice a day after meals.
2. Cumin seed essential oil
a. Take 1-2 drops of cumin oil in a glass.
b. Add lukewarm water.
c. Drink twice a day after meals.
d. Cumin Seeds Kwatha(decoction)
e. Take 4 to 8 teaspoons of kwath.
f. Drink it with lukewarm water twice a day after meals.
3. Cumin Water
a. Fill the water bottle with hot water
b. Add 1-2 teaspoons of cumin seeds to it
c. Let it stand for overnight
d. Drink this water in the morning to facilitates weight loss[7].
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
Cumin water can be beneficial in weight loss, indigestion and also regulates your metabolism. A person can drink it early in the morning on an empty stomach.
Ayurvedic View
Yes, Cumin water is good as it helps to control flatulence, bloating and reduces Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. Daily consumption of Cumin water also helps manage weight.
References
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India.Part 1 Volume 1.
- Sowbhagya HB.Chemistry, Technology, and Nutraceutical Functions of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L): an Overview. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2013;53(1):1-10.
- Ohri RK.Cuminum cyminum and Carum carvi: An update.Pharmacogn Rev.2011;5(9):63–72.
- Singh RP, Gangadharappa HV, Mruthunjaya K.Cuminum cyminum – A Popular Spice: An Updated Review. Pharmacogn J. 2017;9(3):292-301.
- Abbaszadegan A, Gholami A, Ghahramani Y, et al.Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activity of Cuminum Cyminum as an Intracanal Medicament Compared to Chlorhexidine Gel.Iran Endod J.2016;11(1):44-50.
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-635-cumin.aspx?activeingredientid= 635&activeingredientname=cumin
- Bakhru HK.Herbs That Heal Natural Remedies For Good Health.Orient Paperbacks.1990.
- Balkrishnan A.Jeera.Ayurved Jadi Buti Rehsya. Danik Bhaskar.2017.
- Pradesh M, Kumar D, Kumar P, et al. Cumin (Cuminum cyminum): As a feed additive for livestock.Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies.2017;5(3):365-369.
- Sahoo HB, Sahoo HK, Sarangi SP, et al. Anti-diarrhoeal investigation from aqueous extract of Cuminum cyminum Linn. Seed in Albino rats. Pharmacognosy Res.2014;6(3):204–209.
- Dash MK, Joshi N, Dwivedi L, et al. Probable Mode of action of hingvastaka churna: A critical review. Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm.2016;7(3).
- Mirabi P, Alamolhoda SH, Esmaeilzadeh S, et al. Effect of medicinal herbs on primary dysmenorrhoea- A systematic review. IJPR.2014;13(3):757-767.
- Jani D, Gujarathi J. Pharmacological appraisal of Cuminum cyminum L. in dysmenorrhoea: An ayurvedic approach in consideration of current evidences. IJAPR.2016;4(12):29-35.
- Al-Snafi AE. The pharmacological activities of Cuminum cyminum - A review. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy.2016;6(6):46-65.
- Zare R, Heshmati F, Fallahzadeh H et al.Effect of cumin powder on body composition and lipid profile in overweight and obese women.Complement Ther Clin Pract.2014;20(4):297-301.
- Singh RP, Gangadharappa HV, Mruthunjaya K.Cuminum cyminum – a popular spice: an updated review.Pharmacogn J.2017;9(3):292-301.
- Gupta RS, Saxena P, Gupta R et al.Evaluation of reversible contraceptive activities of Cuminum cyminum in male albino rats.Contraception.2011;84(1):98-107.
- Hadi V, Kheirouri S, Alizadeh M et al.Effects of Nigella sativa oil extract on inflammatory cytokine response and oxidative stress status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.Avicenna J Phytomed.2016;6(1):34-43.
- Ijaz H, Tulain UR, Qureshi J et al.Review: Nigella sativa (prophetic medicine): a review.Pak J Pharm Sci.2017;30(1):229-234.
- Eid AM, Elmarzugi NA, Abu Ayyash LM et al.A review on the cosmeceutical and external applications of Nigella sativa.J Trop Med.2017;2017:7092514.
- Kooti W, Hasanzadeh-Noohi Z, Sharafi-Ahvazi N et al.Phytochemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutic uses of black seed (Nigella sativa).Chin J Nat Med.2016;14(10):732-745.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.