Cumin sometimes spelled cummin; Cuminum cyminum), also known as Jeera,is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native from the east Mediterranean to India. Its seeds (each one contained within a fruit, which is dried) are used in the cuisines of many different cultures, in both whole and ground form. In addition, it is also used as a medicinal plant, serving as a digestant, as well as being used to treat anemia and the common cold.
Cumin's distinctive flavour and strong, warm aroma are due to its essential oil content. Its main constituent aroma compounds are cuminaldehyde (a promising agent against alpha-synuclein aggregation) and cuminic alcohol. Other important aroma compounds of toasted cumin are the substituted pyrazines, 2-ethoxy-3-isopropylpyrazine, 2-methoxy-3-sec-butylpyrazine, and 2-methoxy-3-methylpyrazine. Other components include γ-terpinene, safranal, p-cymene and β-pinene.
The health benefits of Cumin Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties as a bactericidal, carminative, digestive, diuretic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, detoxifier, emenagogue, stimulant, nervine, and tonic substance.
The essential oil of cumin is extracted from its dried and crushed seeds through a process of steam distillation. Cumin is scientifically known as Cuminum Cyminum. Cumin is quite popular as a spice all over the world, and it hardly needs any introduction. However, cumin essential oil does.
Nearly all the medicinal properties of cumin come from its essential oils, which, in its pure form, is far more effective and beneficial than cumin seeds. Cumin essential oil is mainly composed of Cuminic Acid, Cymene, Dipentene, Limonene, Phellandrene, and Pinene. It has astonishing medicinal properties and health benefits.
Prepare to be astonished by some of these wonderful properties of cumin essential oil.
Health Benefits of Cumin Essential Oil
Bactericidal: Cumin essential oil is a good bactericide that can be used in the treatment of diarrhea and cholera, which are caused by bacteria. Furthermore, it can cure internal bacterial infections like those in the colon, stomach, intestines and urinary tract, as well as external infections on the skin, ears, eyes, and in wounds.
Cumin oil
Carminative: Cumin oil has strong carminative properties and effectively drives away gases from the intestines. It also prevents any further formation of gases.
Digestive: Cumin oil aids in digestion, but should be taken in low doses. High doses can do the exact reverse and can also make you vomit. The oil also promotes the discharge of bile and gastric juices, and stimulates peristaltic motion of the intestines. Its smell acts as an appetizer to stimulate your appetite.
Diuretic: Cumin Oil increases urination, both in frequency and in quantity. This may sound not that important, but it can be very beneficial for health. Along with urine, fats are lost from the body, up to 4% of the volume of urine. Therefore, it is obvious that the more you urinate, the more fat you lose. Urination also promotes digestion and keeps gas from forming. It removes excess water from the body and reduces swelling. Its biggest contribution is that it helps to remove toxins from the body. What’s more, it also reduces blood pressure. That is the reason that most drugs for lowering blood pressure induce frequent urination. Urination also helps to clean out the kidneys.
Antiseptic: The antiseptic properties of Cumin oil do not let the external and internal cuts and wounds become septic.
Anti-spasmodic: This oil has very effective anti-spasmodic properties. It can be used in treatment for nearly all sorts of spasms and associated troubles such as cramps, convulsions, non-stop coughs, pains, and cramps.
Detoxifier: Cumin oil is an efficient detoxifier. It removes toxins, including those which are produced by the body, such as some excess hormones and metabolic byproducts, as well as those which get into the blood stream through food, such as uric acid, insecticides, synthetic colors, and fertilizers. It promotes sweating and urination, thereby removing the toxins with them.
Emenagogue: Cumin oil can help maintain a regular menstruation cycle and can open obstructed menses. It also helps in recovering from Post Menopause Syndromes.
Stimulant: It particularly stimulates the digestive and excretory system and keeps them in order.
Nervine: Cumin oil is good for the nerves and helps to cure nervous disorders such as convulsions, anxiety, and stress.
Tonic: Cumin oil tones up muscles, tissues, and skin, as well as the various systems functioning inside the body, such as the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, digestive, and excretory systems. This tonic effect helps to retain your youth for a long.
Other Benefits: Cumin essential oil can be used against colic, dyspepsia, flatulence, and depression.
A Few Words of Caution: Cumin oil shows photo-toxicity when exposed to sunlight and should therefore not be exposed to sunlight after external application. It should be used in low or mild doses because the very strong smell can cause headaches and nausea. Pregnant women should avoid using this oil as well.
| Blending: Cumin oil blends well with the essential oils of Angelica, Caraway, Camomile, and Coriander. |