Cumin, Jeera, Uses and Benefits, Buy Jeera online at Astroshastra , Delhi India

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Cumin (Jeera)

Also known as

cumin
Latin : Cuminum cyminum
English : Cumin
Sanskrit : Jiraka
Hindi : Jeera
Marathi : Jira
Tamil : Jirakam
Telugu : Jilakarra
Malayalam : Jirakam
Kannada : Jirige
Jiraka means "fast acting" in Sanskrit.

How it looks—It is a small, slender annual herb with bluish green leaves, small white/ rose-coloured flowers and greyish fruits.

What we use—Fruits (though we call them cumin seeds they are actually the fruits of the plant)

What it does—It is cooling, anaphrodisiac, astringent, digestive, carminative, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, galactogogue , and uterine and nervine tonic.

How we use it—

In loss of appetite and flatulence—Cumin powder and jaggery are rolled into small balls and consumed from time to time. Or you could make a decoction of the seeds to drink.

To increase breastmilk secretion—Take white cumin seeds fried in ghee with sugar for some days after delivery in doses of 1 tsp thrice daily with milk.

In morning sickness—For pregnant women, mix a tsp of cumin seed powder in some lime juice to drive nausea away.

In white discharge—Fry and powder cumin seeds and take a tsp twice a day with honey.

In jaundice—Leave a mixture of white cumin seeds in a vessel filled with water overnight. Sweeten this infusion with palm candy in the morning and drink it to increase urine output and to reduce fever.

In colds and fevers—Water boiled in cumin and ginger is used as a beverage to clear the infection.

In boils—A fine powder of cumin, mixed in coconut milk is applied over boils, especially in summer to effect a quick cure.

In delayed periods—A decoction of cumin and gingelly seeds, sweetened with palm candy, helps set off menstruation and promotes blood flow.

In urinary calculi—Take a tsp of cumin powder with sugar twice a day.

As a cosmetic—Wash the face with cumin-boiled water and then apply a paste of black and white cumin seeds in milk cream as a pack to clear and promote complexion.

Modern Study

jeera
Cumin was established as inhibiting platelet aggression in experimental studies.