A low-lying leafy plant native to China, India, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean region is called cumin (Cuminum cyminum L). The plant yields cumin seeds, a fruit that is used as a spice all throughout the world. Medical research has turned its attention to cumin since there is a wealth of anecdotal data supporting its numerous health advantages.
Cumin is a widely used and studied spice. Among its many health advantages, cumin may lower cholesterol, improve cognition, and help control diabetes. However, it might impact pregnancy and fertility.
Description
The plant’s stalks are extremely thin and fragile, yet in strong plants, the stalks extend horizontally across the ground. The plant has tiny, white or light pink blooms with green leaves that are around 7 cm long. Both male and female stigma and stamen are present in hermaphrodite flowers. Insects are responsible for pollinating flowers. The fruits are 2 mm wide and 4-5 mm long.
Botanical Name:
Cuminum cyminum
Family:
Apiaceae
Leaves:
The leaves have thread-like leaflets and are pinnate or bipinnate, measuring 5–10 cm (2–4 in) in length.
Flowers:
The tiny, pink or white blooms are carried in umbels. There are five to seven umbellets on each umbel. The fruit has two mericarps with a single seed and is an oval or lateral fusiform achene that is 4-5 mm long.
Seeds:
In terms of culinary use, the seeds are the most significant component of the cumin plant. These are actually schizocarps, which are dry fruits that, when fully grown, break into two single-seeded sections. The long and oval-shaped cumin seeds measure approximately 4-5 mm in length.
Stem:
The cumin plant has a thin, branching, glabrous (smooth) stem. It usually reaches a height of 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) and a diameter of 3-5 cm. The plant has a uniform canopy because each branch has two to three subbranches and all of the branches tend to reach a comparable height. Grey or dark green might be the color of the stem.
Habitat:
Regarding cumin’s initial environment, we don’t know, but it was first observed in the Nile Valley, from which it migrated to the east Mediterranean, North Africa, southwest Asia, and throughout India. This plant has been grown for many years in India and Iran; in other words, these two countries are the largest producers of this unique herb. However, nowadays, cumin is also grown in Central America, Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia, China, and southern regions of Russia.
Parts Used:
- Seed
Chemical Constituents
Cuminum cyminum included the following compounds, according to phytochemical analysis: alkaloids, anthraquinone, coumarin, flavonoids, glycosides, protein, resin, saponin, tannin, and steroids.
Other Language Names of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
Bengali name – Jeera, Sadajera
Marathi name – Jire
Tamil name – Cheerakam
Gujarati name – Jeeru
Hindi name – Jeera, Safed Jeera
Sanskrit name – Jeerak, Ajaji
Malayalam name – Jorekam
Italian Name – Cumino
Arabian name – Kamun
Sinhalese name – Cheeregum
Kannada name – Jeerige
Persian name – Zireh-Sabz
French name – Cumin
Spanish name – Comino
Telugu name – Jeelakari
Kashmiri name – Safed Zoor
Oriya name – Dhalajera
Punjabi name – Safed Jira
Punjabi name – Safed Jira
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Apiales |
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Genus | Cuminum |
| Species | Cuminum cyminum |
Ayurvedic Properties
Hindi/Sanskrit
- Rasa -Katu
- Guna -Laghu,Rooksha
- Virya -Ushna
- Vipaka -Katu
English
- Taste -Pungent
- Physical Property-Light, Dry
- Potency- Hot
- Metabolic Property (After Digestion)-Pungent
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) Uses
- Consuming cumin along with jaggery enhances hunger and lessens fever-induced burning feeling (daah) (jawar). It is applied to enhance urine retention and eliminate contaminants from urine.
- To treat gonorrhoea (sujak), mix one gram of cumin, coriander, dry rose petals, and kalshimora powder.
- Treating hiccups with a mixture of cumin and Desi ghee is beneficial.
- Additionally, it helps with snake poisoning (sarpvish) and voice hoarseness (swar bhang).
- Yogurt combined with cumin is a useful remedy for diarrhea. This plant is particularly useful for stimulating low fire and for curing chronic diarrhea.
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Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) Benefits
Aiding digestion:
It can help with digestive problems such flatulence, bloating, and indigestion. For generations, people have used it to heal intestinal issues. Its active ingredients may help with digestion by stimulating the production of gastric juices.
Cumin helps treat diarrhea:
The inventors of traditional medicine have done a fantastic job of discovering the advantages of cumin. It was discovered centuries ago that it aids in the treatment of diarrhea.
Promotes Digestion:
One of the best herbs for the gut is cumin, which also stimulates pancreatic enzymes to aid with digestion. Thymol and essential oils included in cumin seeds stimulate the salivary gland, making digestion easier. To aid in better digestion and reduce flatulence, it is recommended that people with compromised digestive systems drink jeera water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Weight Loss:
Benefits for dieters are shown by a study that was published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. In addition to speeding up weight loss, cumin lowers blood levels of dangerous fats, which improves the body’s fat composition.
Boosting immunity:
Compounds in cumin have the potential to strengthen the immune system. They can lessen inflammation and fend against infections. Additionally, they can shield the body from reactive substances like free radicals that can harm bodily cells.
Regulate Blood Pressure:
Potassium, a vital element for the body’s healthy operation, is abundant in cumin seeds. In order to counteract the detrimental effects of salt and assist control blood pressure, cumin is utilized.
Fights cancer:
Cumin has chemopreventive and detoxifying qualities. According to research done by the Cancer Research Laboratory USA, cumin aldehyde, the active ingredient in cumin, helps to slow down the growth of tumors.
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) Side Effects
Bleeding disorders:
Cumin could hinder blood coagulation. If you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, this could be an issue.
Surgery:
During and after surgery, cumin may potentially have an impact on blood coagulation and blood sugar regulation. At least two weeks before to a scheduled surgery, cease using cumin.
Pregnancy:
The safety of consuming large amounts of cumin when pregnant or nursing is not well enough documented. During these circumstances, it is advisable to err on the side of caution and refrain from taking cumin in medical dosages.
Allergy:
Some people could have a cumin allergy. An allergy to cumin can include skin rashes, itching, swelling, or breathing difficulties.
Conclusion
The plant known as cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is indigenous to southern Asia and the Mediterranean. The seeds are used as a spice in food and in traditional medicine. Although it is unclear whether the cholesterol-lowering and antibacterial properties of cumin have any effect on the body, these benefits may exist.
FAQS
What is Cuminum cyminum used for?
The most common uses for its fruit, called cumin seed, are in cooking and medicine. It is typically used in many different cuisines as a flavoring agent, popular spice, and culinary additive. Traditional medicine has also made extensive use of cumin to treat a wide range of conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, and hypolipidemia.
Is there any adverse effect from cumin?
Blood coagulation may be slowed by cumin, which could exacerbate bleeding conditions. During surgery, cumin may cause blood clotting and blood sugar levels to drop. It may cause problems controlling blood sugar and exacerbate bleeding during and after surgery. At least two weeks before to a scheduled surgery, cease using cumin.
Can you lose weight with cumin seeds?
Studies indicate that by enhancing insulin responsiveness and glucose regulation, cumin seeds may help with weight control. Consuming cumin has been linked in some studies to decreased insulin levels and weight loss, which may help people lose weight.