What are benefits and uses of Cumin Seeds (Jeera)?

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits of Clove ( Laung )

Cloves ( Laung )

1. Digestive Disorders:- It boosts digestive functioning. They are used in various forms of gastric irritability and dyspepsia.

2. Vomiting:- Licking the powder of fried cloves mixed with honey is effective in controlling vomiting. The anaesthetic action of clove numbs the gullet & stomach and stops vomiting.

3. Cholera:- These are very useful for treating cholera. About 5 grams of cloves are boiled in 3 litres of water until half the water has evaporated. The water taken in draughts, will check severe symptoms of the disease.

4. Asthma:- It is an effective remedy for asthma. A teaspoon of decoction prepared by boiling six cloves in 30 ml of water can be taken thrice daily as an expectorant.

5. Teeth Disorders:- The use of clove in toothache decreases pain. It also helps to decrease infection due to its antiseptic properties. Clove oil applied to a cavity in a decayed tooth, also relieves toothache.

6. Earache:- A clove fried in a teaspoon of sesame ( til ) oil and 3 to 5 drops of this warm oil put into the ear can cure earache.

7. Cough:- Chewing a clove with a crystal of common salt eases expectoration, relieves the irritation in the throat and stops cough in the pharyngitis that is the inflammation of the pharynx. 

Benefits of Coriander ( Dhania )

Coriander Leaves

Coriander Seeds

 1. High Cholesterol levels:- Regular drinking of coriander water helps lower blood cholesterol as it is a good diuretic and stimulates the kidneys. It is prepared by boiling dry seeds of coriander and straining the decoction after cooling.

Benefits of Ginger ( Adrak )

                                                                Its mineral and vitamin contents are calcium, phosphorous, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C.

Benefits:- 

1. Coughs and cold:- Extracted juice of ginger with honey is taken three or four times a day in case of coughs. In case of colds, take ginger cut into small pieces in a boiled cup of water. After straining, it should be taken hot with half a teaspoon of sugar.

2. Respiratory disorders:- A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, makes an excellent diaphoretic mixture to proliferate sweating and reduces fever in influenza. It acts as an expectorant in bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough and tuberculosis of the lungs.

3. Digestive disorders:- Chewing a piece of fresh ginger regularly after meals prevents dyspepsia, flatulence, colic vomiting, spasms and other painful affections of the stomach and the bowels, not accompanied by fever. This protective action is due to the excessive secretion of saliva, diastase enzyme and volatile oil.

Benefits of Garlic ( Lahsoon )

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Botanical name:- Allium Sativum
Indian name:- Lahsoon
                                                              Garlic has been highly valued for centuries all over the world for its health building qualities. Its mineral and vitamin contents are calcium, phosphorous, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C. It also contains traces of iodine, sulphur and chlorine.
                                                             The bulbs yields an essential oil containing allyl propyl disulphide, diallyl disulphide and two other sulphur compounds. They also contain antiseptic and hypotensive or causing low blood pressure principles - allicin, allisatin I allisatin II.

Benefits:- 

1. Tuberculosis:- A decoction of garlic boiled in milk is a wonderful drug for tuberculosis. One gram of garlic, 250 ml of milk and a litre of water are boiled together till it reduces to one fourth of the decoction.It should be taken thrice a day.

Benefits of Cinnamon( Dalchini )

1. Bad breath:- It serves as a good mouth freshener.

2. Acne:- Paste of cinnamon powder prepared with a few drops of fresh lime juice can be applied over pimples and blackheads with beneficial results.

3. Common cold:- It is an effective remedy for common cold. Cinnamon oil mixed with honey gives relief from cold. Coarsely powdered cinnamon boiled in a glass of water with a pinch of pepper can be beneficially used as a medicine in cases of influenza, sore throat and malaria.

4. Digestive disorders:- It checks nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. It stimulates digestion. A tablespoon of cinnamon water, prepared as for cold and taken  half an hour after meals relieves flatulence and indigestion.

5. Headache:- Headache caused by exposure to cold air is readily cured by applying a paste of finely powdered cinnamon mixed with water on the temples and forehead.

6. Healing power and Curative properties:- It prevents nervous tension, improves complexion and memory. A pinch of its powder mixed with honey will do the trick if taken regularly every night for these purposes.

Benefits of Aniseed ( Saunf )

1. Digestive disorders:- It is an ideal medicine for expelling wind from the stomach. It is also useful in preventing gas in the stomach.
An easy way to prepare an infusion is to mix a teaspoon of aniseed in a cup of boiling water and leave it covered overnight. The clear fluid is then decanted and taken with honey. This is an ideal treatment for indigestion, especially when there is gurgling in the abdomen. Gripe water for infants also contains aniseed extract.

2. Cataract:- In cataract, 5 grams of aniseed should be taken daily in the morning and evening.

3. Asthma:- It is considered beneficial for the treatment of asthma due to its expectorant properties.

4. Insomnia:- Tea prepared by boiling 300 ml of water and adding a teaspoon of aniseed is beneficial for the treatment of sleeplessness. The water should be covered with a lid and allowed to simmer for 15 minutes. Then it should be strained and taken hot either after meals or before going to bed.

Note -  Aniseed should not be boiled for long time as it may lose its digestive properties and essential oil during the process.

5. Head lice:- It is used externally as an insecticide against small insects such as lice, mites and vermin. It also has fungicidal properties.