Cumin (Jeera)
Also known as
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
Cumin was established as inhibiting platelet aggression in experimental studies.
