What is cumin and what is it used for?

He cumin (Cuminum cyminum) It is an umbellifer, like fennel, celery and caraway, and is mainly known as a condiment. In addition to being an ingredient of curryused in soup and gazpacho recipesvinaigrettes and dressings.

It is a herbaceous plant annual up to 40 cm. tall, very aromaticwith leaves divided into filiform segments and white or pale pink flowersgathered in umbels with few radii.

It was brought to Spain by Muslims from Upper Egypt, where it originates, but long before, in classical Greece, both Dioscorides and Hippocrates already spoke about it in their writings.

In cooking and herbal medicine their are used fruitswhich contain a essential oil rich in cuminic or cuminal aldehyde, pinene, as well as flavonoids. It is very popular for its digestive properties.

Medicinal properties of cumin

• cumin stands out for its tonic and digestion-stimulating virtues. Furthermore, it is considered diuretic and carminative.
• It is intended primarily for wake up appetiteand prevent gas formationmeteorisms, abdominal swellingaerophagy and heavy digestions.
• Cumin is also considered antispasmodic and slightly estrogenic. It is recommended to relieve gastrointestinal spasms and fight the intestinal parasites.
• No less notable is the use made of it to increase milk production. in nursing mothersdue to its galactogenic effect.

How to take cumin

We find the cumin powderthe seeds for decoctionin tincture, fluid extract and also the essential oil pure (in bottle and capsules).

A simple way to take advantage of the benefits of cumin is to use it as a condiment with food. The simplest thing is to use cumin powderedand better if it is freshly ground, for which it can be practical to have a grinder at home.

It is very effective to add freshly ground cumin, for example, to legume stews to mitigate the flatulent effect they may have. It also gives a touch of exquisite flavor to the raw cabbage salads and makes them more digestive.

Infusion with cumin for digestion

You can prepare a carminative infusion mixing this plant with others with similar properties, such as fennel, green anise and star anise.

How to prepare it: Boil a tablespoon of the mixture for a couple of minutes in equal parts per glass of water and take it after main meals.

Cumin tea for breastfeeding

To increase milk production in nursing mothers, an infusion is prepared with cumin powder (10 g); galega (40 g), green anise and fennel seeds (20 g of each), and horsetail and white pennyroyal (10 g of each). From the mixture, separate one tablespoon for each glass of water.

How to prepare it: Boil for 2 minutes, let it rest for another 10 and drink a cup once. half an hour before breastfeeding.

Contraindications of cumin

It is contraindicated in case of hyperestrogenismalthough its action is soft.

Nor should the essential oil to women pregnant or lactating not even children under 8 years old.

Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist from “El Manantial de Salud”