Commending Cumin Seeds

Cumin seed or jeera, as they are known in India, are seeds of the flowering plant Cuminum Cyminum. Cumin has gained its place as one of the main spices in Indian, African, Chinese, Cuban and Mexican cuisines, due to its distinctive popular aroma. It is mainly used to spice and season a variety of dishes like curries, chutneys, masalas etc.

However, Cumin also has numerous medicinal properties; it is used as an ingredient in many home remedies and ayurvedic preparations. The strong aroma of jeera or cumin seeds is due to the presence of the compound cuminaldehyde.

You may also see Cumin seeds called jeeraka, jarana and ajaaji; names that refer to its carminative and digestive properties. According to ayurvedic principles these seeds balance vata and kapha.

Medicinal properties of Jeera or Cumin seeds

Cumin seeds may be useful for all the following conditions:

1. Reducing superficial inflammation and pain
2. Increasing appetite and assisting in the digestion of food
3. Reducing pain experienced during indigestion, flatulence or heaviness of stomach
4. Purifying the blood
5. Cumin seeds act on the female reproductive system by reducing inflammation
   of the uterus
6. It is believed to increase milk production in lactating mothers
7. As it normalizes vata and kapha it can help sexual debility
8. It is a skin friendly herb and reduces itching

Home remedies using jeera or cumin seeds

1. A fine paste of cumin seeds (cumin seeds ground with water), when applied on boils or an aching body part gives relief from pain
2. Water boiled with ground jeera can be given regularly to lactating mothers. This increases breast milk and reduces inflammation of the uterus
3. Boil ground jeera in water and allow it to cool down. Add a pinch of cardamom to filtered jeera water. Gargling with this flavored water helps to keep the mouth fresh, heals mouth ulcers and eliminates bad breath
4. To prevent bleeding gums: Roast jeera without oil till warm, grind this to a fine powder along with rock salt and then massage in to gums
5. Boil a tea spoon of jeera in a glass of water, allow it to cool. Consuming this water frequently relieves indigestion and flatulence
6. Consuming powdered jeera with honey reduces colic pain and reduces diarrhea caused due to indigestion
7. A tea prepared by boiling cumin seeds and a small piece of fresh ginger help to give relief to the common cold
8. Patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome can use pomegranate juice mixed with roasted and ground jeera powder. This helps to reduce frequency of stools and sooths the colon.

Precaution has to be taken while roasting cumin seeds. Cumin seeds have to be roasted with a low heat until warm and should be taken away from heat when sufficiently warm to the touch. This precaution helps to prevent the escape of the volatile compounds of jeera.

 

• The virtues of Ghee
• Commending Cumin seeds