Cumin

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) comes from Western Asia, where it has been cultivated since Biblical times. It is a warm-season annual herb from  the parsley family Apiaceae, which includes parsnip, carrot, cilantro/coriander, and of course parsley.

Cumin is a low growing plant reaching an average height of 12–20 inches and 2–6 inches across.

Cumin seeds is full flavored seeds from  the cumin plant and it is used as a spice to make many good recipes. In modern-day food culture, cumin is a key ingredient in Mexican, Asian, Indian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisines.

The seeds of the plant are also used to make medicine. The medicinal health benefits of cumin come from the active ingredient cuminaldehyde, which has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer and carminative properties.

Medicinal uses

• Cumin can be taken for digestion problems including diarrhea, colic, bowel spasms, and gas.
• It is also used to increase urine flow to relieve bloating (as a diuretic).
• It helps to improve digestion minimizing gas and bloating.
• Cumin acts as a detoxifying blood cleanser.
• It aids weight loss by increasing metabolism.
• Cumin is also packed full of essential vitamins and minerals, in particular iron, calcium and magnesium.
• Cumin seed is used to start menstruation.
• The seed is also used to increase sexual desire (as an aphrodisiac).

Precautions

• When taken by mouth: Cumin is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe to use cumin powder and cumin essential oil as medicine. Cumin might cause an upset stomach in some people. Also, some people can be allergic to cumin.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Cumin is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if cumin is safe to use as a medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
• Bleeding disorders: Cumin might slow blood clotting, which might make bleeding disorders worse.
• Surgery: Cumin might lower blood sugar levels and slow blood clotting. It might interfere with blood sugar control and make bleeding worse during and after surgery. Stop using cumin at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

• Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CUMIN. Cumin might lower blood sugar levels. Taking cumin along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
• Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with CUMIN. Cumin might slow blood clotting. Taking cumin along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
• Rifampin (Rifadin) interacts with CUMIN. Cumin might increase how much rifampin the body absorbs. Taking cumin along with rifampin might increase the effects and side effects of rifampin.