The cumin herbal plant (Cuminum cyminum) was one of the most commonly used spices in Europe, particularly during the Middle Ages. Native to upper Egypt, the cumin herbal plant is characterized by its slender stem and unique branches. Cumin has long been cultivated in Mediterranean countries as well as in Iran, China, India and Arabia.
The Cumin Herbal Plant
The name “cumin” is a derivative of the Persian city of Kerman. The Persian pronunciation was “Kermun”. This name evolved to “Kumun” and then to its present name, “cumin”, in European pronunciations.
The cumin herbal plant is a herbaceous perennial that is a part of the carrot family, Apiaceae. The plant rarely exceeds one foot in height. The cumin herbal plant has deep green leaves that are divided into long, narrow segments. In the Northern Hemisphere, the cumin herbal plant produces its small, rose-colored or white flower in stalked umbels with four to six rays during the months of June and July. Its flowers contain the seeds that are the commonly used herb referred to simply as “cumin.”
Today, the cumin herbal plant is grown commercially for use as a spice in Morocco, Egypt, India, Syria, Canada, the United States and Chile.
Cumin in History
The cumin herbal plant is mentioned in the Bible in the books of Isaiah and Matthew. The plant’s herbal healing properties have also been mentioned by figures such as Hippocrates and Dioscorides. In addition, Pliny wrote that the ancient Greeks grounded up the cumin herbal plant’s seeds to use as a medicine with bread and water or wine. These ancient Greeks noted that when cumin herbal seeds were smoked, they changed the pallor of the face, which is why Horace once exclaimed, “Ex sangue cuminum!” Some people think this is the reason the Greek believed that the plant was associated with Eros, the god of love.
Health Uses of Cumin
The cumin herbal plant is thought to be a stimulant with antispasmodic and carminative from properties. Herbalists used to tout that the cumin herbal plant has superior carminative properties (the ability to expel gas from the alimentary canal for colic relief) compared to fennel and caraway. However, many patients did not like cumin’s flavor so its use as a carminative is now mostly confined to veterinary practice.
The cumin herbal plant seeds contain fatty oil with resin, mucilage and gum, malates and albuminous matter. The film that covers the seeds contains tannin, which explains the plant’s historical use to prevent excessive flatulency caused by languid digestion. The cumin herbal plant has also been used as a treatment for colic and dyspeptic headache.
Sometimes the cumin herbal plant is mixed with other drugs to form a stimulating liniment for the treatment of wounds. It is applied like a plaster over wounds, stitches and a person’s side when there is pain present believed to be rooted in the sluggish congestion of the body’s indolent parts.
By Paul Ghossain
One of the major symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the gas buildup in the stomach. The gas, if not relieved, will cause cramping, colon spasm and major discomfort. Sometimes this can be so severe, that the IBS sufferer has to be confined to bed rest. Cumin – a common Indian herb may be the answer to removing the gas buildup. This is a natural method that provides a safe and easy approach to eliminating the gas build up in the stomach.
Cumin’s properties are stomachic, diuretic, carminative, stimulant and antispasmodic. It is valuable in dyspepsia diarrhea and hoarseness, and it is known to relieve flatulence and colic. Cumin is a stimulating medicinal herb and it contains compounds that fight inflammation, pain and swelling.
To make a tea with cumin, it is best to have the seeds that have been harvested from home-grown plants, like everything else. You can find cumin seeds in health food stores. To make a tea with cumin steep one teaspoon of dried and gently crushed cumin seeds in one cup of boiling water. Let the cumin seeds steep in the water for ten to twenty minutes.
After the gently crushed cumin seeds have been steeped for ten to twenty minutes, you should strain out the cumin seeds and drink the cumin tea. Drink one or two cups of the cumin tea a day to help relieve the swelling and inflammation. Sip the liquid while it is hot. Drink after a meal.
Cumin is believed to aid in the absorption of iron. If you have an iron deficiency you may want to try some cumin tea. So this is also good for women who are menstruating. Iron helps build blood cells.
Cumin is also good if you have indigestion or gas. If you are having trouble with indigestion or gas you may want to try some cumin tea to help relieve the indigestion or gas. This is what IBS sufferers know.
Other uses of Cumin:
• Roasted cumin seeds can also freshen the breath.
Chewing roasted cumin seeds can also heal soars in the mouth and reduce excess saliva.
• Cumin tea cures problems in the urinary tract, cleans the bladder and kidneys.
• Combined with fenugreek, they help to keep the prostate healthy and reduce problems in the male and female reproductive organs and urinary systems.
• A teaspoon of cumin boiled in water reduces pain in the body and acts as a natural sleep aid for those who have difficulty falling asleep.
• Cumin tea can be drunk to reduce the symptoms of common cold and sore throat.
• Cumin helps to remove excess phlegm and is thus good taken during allergy season or at the onset of a cold.
The main benefit of cumin as an IBS treatment is that it helps to regulate bowel function and can help to stop diarrhea by eating it with a bit of sugar candy. Cumin and fennel combined in equal parts and chewed or boiled as a tea help to promote digestion. Combined with turmeric and peppercorn it becomes a very good digestive aid and immune booster. Cumin can be chewed after a meal to promote digestion and reduce stomachache.
