Jeera

HABITAT

Cumin is native from the East Mediterranean to South Asia and today, grown all over the world for its pleasantly aromatic seeds. It grows excellent on sandy loam to loamy soil with a pH 6.8-8.3 range.

INTRODUCTION

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is one such most popular spice that is used as a culinary spice for their special aromatic effect. Cumin is a traditional and much used spice from Middle Ages because it was an icon of love and fidelity. Cumin seeds are known as Jeeraka in Sanskrit. The word is derived from Jeerna – digestion. Hence Jeeraka means that which digest.

BENEFITS

Promotes Digestion: Cumin is one of the most gut-friendly herbs, and promotes pancreatic enzymes, assisting in the digestion process. Gas formation occurs due to an impaired digestion. Cumin has carminative and ant flatulent properties. These properties improve digestion and reduce gas formation.

Ayurvedic View: Gas is caused due to an imbalance of Vata and Pitta dosha. Low Pitta dosha and aggravated Vata dosha results in low digestive fire, thus impairing digestion. Impaired digestion leads to gas formation or flatulence. Cumin seeds can manage flatulence due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties.

Folk Remedy for Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea occurs due to an increased peristaltic movement. This increases frequency of stool and results in loss of water and electrolytes. Cumin helps to reduce the stool frequency and manages diarrhoea.

Ayurvedic View: Diarrhoea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid in the intestine from various tissues from the body and mixes with the stool. This leads to lose, watery motions or diarrhoea. Cumin is good to control diarrhoea because it improves Agni (digestive fire) and controls Vata due to its Deepan property. It also has Grahi (absorbent) property that helps to retain fluid in the intestine and reduce the frequency of motion.

Immunity Enhancer: Jeera is rich in iron and dietary fibre. The iron present in water can increase the blood supply and help the body to recover from exhaustion due to the lack of haemoglobin, thereby helps in preventing anaemia. It can be very effective in fighting diseases or infections within the body. It also fights back any harmful pathogens and keeps the body healthy due to its high vitamin A, C and E content.

Ayurvedic View: Cumin helps to enhance immunity. This is due to its Balya (tonic) property.

Aids in Weight Loss: It helps to reduce triglycerides, bad cholesterol (Low density Lipoprotein, LDL) and increases good cholesterol (High density lipoprotein, HDL) which further helps to reduce fat mass. Cumin not only helps in losing weight quickly but also influences the body’s fat profile in a positive way by reducing the levels of harmful lipids in the blood.

Ayurvedic View: Weight gain is a condition that occurs due to weak or poor digestion. This results in the accumulation of excessive fat in the body. Cumin helps to reduce weight by digesting the food and accumulated fat due to its Deepana (appetizer) and Pachana (digestion) properties. It also helps to flush this fat out of the body due to its Rechana (laxative) property.

Manages Diabetes: Cuminaldehyde and Cuminol in Cumin reduce the blood glucose levels and increases insulin secretion. Cumin is also known to have good antioxidant property. It protects the pancreatic β-cells and reduces the risk of diabetic complications.

Ayurvedic View: Diabetes also known as Madhumeha is due to an aggravation of Vata and impaired digestion. Impaired digestion leads to an accumulation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) in the pancreatic cells and impairs the function of insulin. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

Cumin stimulates saliva production, secretion of digestive fluids and excretion of bile, and additionally, it provides increased movement of the intestines, which generally improves digestion. Cumin seeds contain thymol and essential oils that stimulate the salivary gland. Tannins, terpenoids and flavonoids in Cumin have antidiarrheal effect. These constituents reduce the peristaltic movement. Thus, Cumin helps to reduce the stool frequency and manages diarrhoea. Cumin has immunomodulatory property. It helps to enhance the immunity by stimulating the T cells and Th1 cytokines (immune cells).

CLINICAL STUDIES & REFERENCES

Zare R, Heshmati F, Fallahzadeh H et al. Effect of cumin powder on body composition and lipid profile in overweight and obese women.Complement Ther Clin Pract.2014;20(4):297-301.
Sahoo HB, Sahoo HK, Sarangi SP, et al. Anti-diarrhoeal investigation from aqueous extract of Cuminum cyminum Linn. Seed in Albino rats. Pharmacognosy Res.2014;6(3):204–209.
Taghizadeh M, Memarzadeh MR, Asemi Z, Esmaillzadeh A. Effect of the cumin cyminum L. intake on weight loss, metabolic profiles, and biomarkers of oxidative stress in overweight subjects: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Ann Nutr Metab. 2015; 66:117-124.25766448
Shirke SS and Jagtap AJ. Effects of methanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum on total serum cholesterol in ovariectomized rats. Indian J Pharmacol 2009; 41(2): 91-93.
Willatgamuva SA, Platel K, Sarawathi G and Srinivasan K. Antidiabetic influence of dietary cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum) in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Nutr Res 1998; 18:131–42