John Myers
Cumin is an effective medicinal and spice plant. It is used in particular for digestive problems. Chewing on a few cumin seeds helps relieve gas, bloating, and stomach cramps. And if you add cumin to foods that are difficult to digest, it prevents – e.g. B. with legumes – the digestive problems that often occur afterward. It has now been shown that cumin apparently does just as good a job when losing weight as orlistat, the active ingredient in popular weight-loss pills with many side effects.
Cumin or Cumin – An ancient Indian spice
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) – also known as cumin or cumin or mother cumin – has long been used as a spice or in folk medicine. It is not clear why cumin is also called mother cumin, possibly because of its antispasmodic properties, which may also help with some women’s ailments.
In Ayurveda, it is often roasted together with fenugreek seeds in a little ghee before other ingredients such as legumes or rice with vegetables are added to the pot. Cumin is also the typical falafel spice, it flavors every flatbread wonderfully, and ground cumin should not be missing in the curry powder.
The spice probably comes from the Middle East, where it has been used for thousands of years. Today, cumin is cultivated in many countries – from the Mediterranean region to India. In India in particular, cumin is used in many spice mixtures, dishes, and drinks. The best-known spice mix with cumin is curry powder.
What to consider when roasting cumin
Unlike e.g. Like basil or chives, cumin, cardamom, and cloves are among those spices whose aroma is particularly effective when they are roasted. This is because the essential oils are then released.
The spices are roasted in a pan or wok for just a few minutes over medium heat and turning frequently. When they begin to smell fragrant, the roasting process should be stopped. It is very important that the spices do not burn, otherwise, the aroma will evaporate, the ingredients will be destroyed and an unpleasant, bitter taste will develop. Ground spices should never be roasted, as they would burn far too quickly.
What distinguishes cumin from real cumin and black cumin
In addition to cumin, there are other spices that are often simply called caraways, such as black cumin (Nigella sativa) and caraway (Carum carvi). But these are different plants.
While black cumin belongs to the buttercup family, i.e. a completely different plant family, cumin and caraway are both umbellifers and therefore closely related. The seeds of cumin also look almost like those of real caraway but taste only faintly reminiscent of them.
Cumin as a medicinal plant
Because of its diverse healing effects, cumin can also be used as a medicinal plant. For example, it improves digestion, reduces high blood pressure, is also said to bring the libido into shape, and is as effective against coughs as the pharmaceutical cough suppressant codeine.
An increasing number of studies show many other beneficial and healing effects of cumin, so if you like its specific taste it can be incorporated into the diet as often as possible.
Cumin improves digestion
Cumin consists of up to 6 percent essential oils with the main component being cumin aldehyde. This ensures an increased formation of digestive juices – saliva, gastric juice, bile secretion, pancreas – and in this way improves digestion. If cumin is added to dishes that can often cause flatulence (legumes), then these become much more tolerable and easier to digest.
Cumin relieves constipation
Cumin stimulates intestinal peristalsis, i.e. the movements of the intestines with which the stool is transported to the rectum and then excreted. In the case of constipation, cumin is therefore a very good and gentle remedy, which at the same time relieves gas and discomfort.
In Ayurveda, it is even assumed that cumin can alleviate or even heal severe digestive disorders including hemorrhoids. To do this, the cumin seeds are roasted in a pan. They are allowed to cool and then ground into a powder. This powder is now mixed with water or honey and taken on an empty stomach.
Cumin against Candida albicans
Since studies have also shown that cumin has an antifungal effect, it is very helpful in restoring the intestinal flora and fighting Candida albicans, a widespread intestinal fungus that does not primarily manifest itself in digestive problems, but also in circular ones, for example, itchy but scaly skin eczema.
Cumin reduces cancer risk
A study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer in 2003 showed how well cumin can protect the body from cancer. Subjects who received cumin in their daily meals were less likely to develop cervical cancer and also less likely to develop stomach cancer than those subjects who had to do without cumin – although the more cumin one consumes, the better-protected one is apparently.
Cumin for detox
Since cumin also supports and promotes the body’s own detoxification mechanisms, it is a wonderful spice or an ideal tea for your detoxification cure. Those who consume cumin frequently have higher levels of the body’s own phase I detoxification enzyme, cytochrome P450.
The activities of the phase II detoxification enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase or the antioxidant superoxide dismutase also increased significantly under the influence of cumin. At the same time, the levels of glutathione – one of the body’s most powerful antioxidants – increased significantly.
Cumin for healthy bones
When hormone levels drop during menopause, bone density can deteriorate. However, in 2008, Indian scientists showed that a cumin extract could protect bone density just as well as estrogen supplements. In this study, cumin was able to improve bone density and the microstructure of the bones – without (as is usual with estrogen) leading to weight gain. Because cumin can actually help with weight loss:
Cumin as good as a weight loss pill
In an Iranian study by Kashan University, 78 overweight people were divided into three groups. One group received a cumin capsule three times a day, group two received the orlistat weight loss pill and group three received a placebo capsule – also three times a day. After eight weeks, it turned out that taking cumin had helped with weight loss just as well as the weight-loss pill. In the placebo group, on the other hand, there was no change in weight.
However, orlistat comes with unpleasant side effects, such as B. sudden loss of fat from the intestine. We have described the details here: Toxic diet pills
Cumin for good memory and against stress
Cumin is even used in Ayurveda for patients suffering from amnesia (loss of memory). You will be prescribed to chew some cumin seeds daily. Studies have actually shown that cumin not only reduces susceptibility to stress but can also help your memory.
Cumin – The application
You can use cumin for seasoning – either as whole grains (e.g. in bread or – as described above – roasted in rice and vegetable dishes) or ground. The granules can also be chewed for acute digestive problems. Ground cumin can be taken in honey or mixed into the pulp of a banana for those who don’t like the taste that much. It is also very easy to use as a tea:
Cumin tea – the preparation
Add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds to 200ml of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the water turns brown, remove the pot from the heat. Drain the tea and let it cool down to room temperature.
Another variant is to first crush the seeds in a mortar or roughly chop them in a blender. 150 – 200 ml of boiling water is poured over ½ teaspoon of this, left to stand for 10 minutes, and then the tea is poured off. The tea is said to work best when drunk on an empty stomach.
Cumin Essential Oil – The Application
Cumin essential oil can be extracted from cumin seeds and can have amazing health effects. It is even more powerful than the seeds themselves and can be used in a variety of ways:
- Bath additive: It is sufficient if you add a maximum of 5 drops of cumin oil to the warm bath water. The effect is antibacterial, relaxing, and stimulates blood circulation.
- Massage oil: External use in the form of a massage helps e.g. B. Intestinal, gastric and menstrual disorders. 1 drop of cumin oil is mixed with around 30 ml of high-quality carrier oil – such as almond oil – so that the skin is not irritated.
- Internal use: Add 1 drop of cumin oil to a glass of water or a cup of warm tea. The maximum dose is 5 drops 4 times a day. Areas of application include flatulence and inflammation in the gastrointestinal area.
