Cumin Seeds - Jeera
The botanical name of cumin is Cuminum cyminum.
Its Indian name is Jeera.
Where is the origin of Cumin seeds?
Cumin is an annual herb with a long slender root and a smooth
surface.
It grows up to a height of 30 to 45 cm. It produces a stem
with many branches which bear long, finely divided, deep green leaves and small
flowers, white or rose in color.
The plant has aromatic seed like fruit, commonly known as
cumin seed.
It is oval shaped, approximately 6 mm long and light
yellowish brown in color. It has a peculiar, strong and heavy odor. The dried
seeds form an essential ingredient of curry powder.
Cumin is a native of Egypt, Syria, Turkey and the Eastern
Mediterranean region.
It was one of the commonest spices during the middle ages.
It is now grown in south-eastern Europe, North Africa, India
and China.
What is the composition of Cumin Seeds?
It consists of 6.2% moisture, 17.7% protein, 23.8% fat, 9.1%
crude fibre, 35.5% carbohydrates and 7.7% mineral water per 100 grams.
It contains the following minerals and vitamins:-
Calcium
Phosphorus
Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Thiamine
Riboflavin
Niacin
Vitamins A & C
It has a calorific value of 460.
The dried fruit is crushed and subjected to fractional or
steam distillation to yield a valuable volatile oil pale yellow in color, which
turns dark on keeping.
The cumin aldehydes present in the volatile oil is readily
converted artificially into thymol.
Healing Power and Curative Properties of Cumin Seeds:-
The fruit is a rich source of thymol.
Thymol is used as anthelmintic against hookworm infections
and also as an antiseptic in many proprietary preparations.
It is a stimulant, which increases the secretion and
discharge of urine and relieves flatulence.
It strengthens the functions of stomach and arrests any
bleeding.
Digestive disorders:-
Cumin seeds are very useful in digestive disorders like
indigestion, biliousness, morning sickness, atonic dyspepsia, diarrhea,
malabsorption syndrome and flatulent colic.
One teaspoon of cumin seeds is boiled in a glass of water and
the decoction mixed with one teaspoon of fresh coriander leaf juice and a pinch
of salt. This decoction can be taken twice daily after meals as a medicine for
diarrhea.
Piles:-
Black cumin is beneficial in the treatment of piles. About 50
grams of the seeds, of which half should be roasted, should be grounded
together, three grams of this flour should be taken with water.
Insomnia:-
It is valuable in relieving sleeplessness. A teaspoon of the
fried powder of cumin seeds mixed with the pulp of a ripe banana can be taken
at night to induce sleep.
Common cold:-
Diluted cumin water is an antiseptic beverage and very useful
in common cold and sores.
To prepare cumin water, a teaspoon of cumin is added to
boiling water, which is allowed to simmer for a few seconds and then set aside
to cool.
If the cold is associated with sore throat, few small pieces
of dry ginger should be added to the water.
It soothes throat irritation.
Boils:-
Black cumin grounded in water is applied as a paste over the
boils with beneficial results.
Renal colic:-
Black cumin seeds mixed with caraway seeds and black salt is
useful in renal coilc.
About 20 grams of cumin seeds, 12 grams of caraway seeds and
6 grams of black salt are grounded together and mixed with a little vinegar.
This mixture can be taken in doses of 3 grams every hour till
relief is obtained.
Problem of breast milk secretions:-
A decoction of cumin seeds mixed with milk and honey , taken
once daily during the entire period of pregnancy, helps the healthy development
of the foetus, eases child-birth and increases the secretion of breast milk.
Amnesia:-
Cumin seeds are valuable in amnesia or dullness of memory.
Three grams of black cumin seeds are mixed with 12 grams of
pure honey and licked to get rid of in this condition.
Scorpion sting:-
A paste of the cumin seeds prepared with onion juice, applied over scorpion sting will retard the frequency of upbeats.
What are the other uses of cumin seeds?
It is extensively used in mixed spices and for flavoring
curries, soups, sausages, bread and cakes.
It is an ingredient of curry powder, pickles and chutneys.
It is also used to some extent in India medicine as a
carminative.
