An Amazing Spice: Cumin

Cumin is the second most popular spice in the world after Black Pepper. The seeds have astringent, cooling, stomachic, antispasmodic, sedative, stimulant, carminative, diuretic, digestive and antiseptic properties. They are commonly used in dyspepsia and diarrhea. Dried fruits are commonly used in general ailments of digestive system like indigestion, abdominal pains, gas problems, diarrhea, dysentery etc. Cumin seeds have shown good antifertility activity and they have abortifacient activity too. The volatile oil extracted from the seeds has immunostimulatory effect which helps in combating infections. The essential oil also shows strong antioxidant activity. Cumin is a constituent of some Siddha (an ancient medicine system) preparations. The seeds have been credited with aphrodisiac properties. They are also being used in the treatment of urinary infections (Acharya and Shrivastava, 2008, 2011).

Indigenous Formulations:

Febrifuge

200 mg of Cumin seed powder is given along with jaggery (twice a day).

Fortifying Tonic

Cumin seeds (200 mg) are soaked in Cow's milk overnight; dried and powdered. One teaspoon of the powder is given along with sugar as a general fortifying tonic (helps in attaining physical strength).

Malaria

Cumin seed powder (1g) is mixed with equal amount of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) fruit juice and used as an anti-malarial.

Ulcers of the mouth

Cumin seeds ground in water can be applied to mouth ulcers.

Anthelminitc

About 10g seeds are roasted in an earthen pot and ground. This powder is mixed with 1 teaspoon Onion (Allium cepa) juice and given in the morning (empty stomach) to children suffering from intestinal worms.

Haemorrhoids

Water extract of seeds is said to be very effective topical application in the treatment of piles.

Poisonous stings and bites

Seed oil is mixed with common salt and applied externally in scorpion sting and poisonous insect bites.

Lactation

Traditional healers of Central India prescribe roasted seeds in daily meals for lactating women to increase milk flow after delivery.

Digestion

Roasted seeds are given with curd or buttermilk to treat digestive ailments.

Urinary infections:

A local preparation is made by adding Lemon (Citrus limon) juice, roasted and powdered Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) seed, powder and roasted Cumin seeds and a pinch of black salt (a pungent smelling purplish or pinkish-gray rock salt mined in India) in 100ml water. This can be given to patients suffering from urinary infections, Administer daily, in the morning.

Indigestion

Cumin (5g) should be chewed after lunch and dinner to combat excessive stomach acidity and indigestion. Honey can be added to treat stomach ache.

Note: Information provided in the article is for information purposes. As the practices mentioned herewith are not clinically proven, it is therefore advised to take an opinion from family physician before applying any formulation.

References:

Acharya, D. and Shrivastava, A. 2008. Indigenous Herbal Medicines: Tribal Formulations and Traditional Herbal Practices. Aavishkar Publishers Distributors, Jaipur. ISBN 978-81-7910-252-7.

Acharya, D, Shrivastava, A. 2011. Ethnomedicinal Plants of Gujarat State. Forest Department, Gujarat, Gandhinagar. ISBN 8190311484. 412pp.