Cumin

Cumin seeds belong to the parsley and dill family and resemble caraway seeds and are used as a spice for their distinctive aroma. It is an aromatic spice with bitter and warm flavour and this ancient spice is popular in Indian, Mexican, North African, Middle Eastern, and western Chinese cuisines. 

Cumin is one of the most typical spices for India and is fried or roasted before usage and are certified under NPOP AND NOP standards of organic certification.

Dear Cumin, Come on In

If someone ever started a new spicy line of perfumes, the amazing smell of roasted and crushed cumin seeds would definitely top the list.

Have you ever wondered what is it about this tempting smell that makes you drool for food: a dash of this wonderful spice over any dish, and the dish instantly turns inviting.

There is more to it than its signature nutty peppery flavor.

Here are some secret strengths of cumin seeds, if you haven’t figured them out yet.

1. Cuts Fat: Cumin has been studied to be extremely strong when someone is aiming for weight loss, by reducing body fat, and assisting in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Many people, hence, consume cumin with boiling water, as a herbal tea or in jeera-banana combo to cut weight. Their powers as antioxidants and as metabolism rate-boosters help in melting away a lot of abdominal fat.

2. Balance and Re-hydration: It has been observed that when one drinks lukewarm cumin water, it leads to rehydration of the human body, due to high levels of potassium in cumin that restore the electrolyte balance in the body.

3. Great Digestion Boosters: They are also good in magnesium and sodium content, making them extraordinary in digestive health whether it is relief from a horrible stomach ache or conditions like piles. With rich levels of thymol and other essential oils inside, they easily act as salivary stimulants and improve food digestion. They can trigger the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, and further help in good digestion, and absorption of nutrients. The presence of organic compounds like Cuminaldehyde and elements like thymol, pyrazines help in better secretion of acids, bile, and other digestive enzymes. The Carminative characters of cumin seeds help in relief from gas troubles and overall appetite improvement.

4. Rich in fiber: Cumin seeds are dense in dietary fiber content, antifungal, antimicrobial and laxative properties.

5. Fights Anxiety: They can be used in cases of insomnia too because of essential oils that are hypnotic, stress-relieving, anxiety-fighting and tranquilizing in nature.

6. Respiratory infections and joint pains: It has been noticed that cumin seeds find use when it is about a bad swelling, a breathing problem, irregular bowel movement, a joint infection, an intestinal disease, umbilical hernia, and eye or tooth trouble etc. They are quite handy with respiratory disorders like asthma, bronchitis, common cold  and their anti-congestive properties come quite useful thanks to the stimulating agent caffeine, Vitamin C and other aromatic essential oils and disinfectants in them.

7. Source of Iron & Calcium: Little is known about cumin when it comes to rich food sources of iron. They are highly recommended for people looking for better levels of calcium, those suffering from anemia or for lactating or pregnant women. In fact, the calcium present in them can cover quite a considerable level of requirement for the body. This use of iron renders them effective against cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

8. Detoxifying: Due to a strong detoxifying tendency (with components like Cuminaldehyde, thymol, and phosphorus), they come in quite useful in cases of skin disorders, boils, rashes, pimples and cancer.  Those who regularly use cumin in food have a significant reduction in the occurrence of boils, rashes, pimples, and other signs of excess toxin content. These seeds are good detoxifying agents which help in the regular removal of toxins from the body. A group of researchers from the Cancer Research Laboratory, South Carolina have noted their use in fighting cancer, pointing at the presence of the active compound Cuminaldehyde.

A spice so small can be a bundle of so many different powers and uses. That’s hard to believe but that does explain what makes this petite seed so powerful and tempting when sprinkled on a bland dish. Make Cumin all the more powerful with organic cumin seeds. Savour cumin today, in a new way.

Crack open the secret of cumin for the treasure of health

Cumin (Jeera /Zeera in Hindi) is a spice indispensable to the Indian kitchen. It is also a popular ingredient in South Asian, North African and Latin American cuisines.

Cumin is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum of the Umbelliferae family which includes caraway, parsley and dill. No wonder then that cumin is often confused with its cousin, caraway.

Seeds excavated at Syrian and Egyptian archaeological sites date the use of cumin to as far back as the second millennium BC. In fact, cumin was used as a preservative in mummification in ancient Egypt. This tiny little seed even finds mention in both the New and Old Testaments of the Holy Bible.

Cumin is not just a ruling ingredient in many kitchens. This tiny seed holds great potential as a  health aid in ways mentioned below:

Uses in Aromatherapy:

The main constituents of cumin are the compounds cuminalldyhde and cuminic alcohol which give cumin its distinctive, strong flavour .It’s warm aroma is due to its essential oil content. The essential oil of cumin is extracted from dried and crushed seeds by steam distillation. Cumin oil is not used on its own in aromatherapy because it is so pungent; it mixes well with the essential oils of Angelica, Caraway, Camomile and Coriander and can be used in small doses. The essential oils of cumin are good to allay anxiety and decrease stress. They also tone  muscles, tissue and skin.

Stimulates Digestion:

Cumin is a very good digestive which stimulates the digestive as well as the excretory systems .It contains Thymol which encourages the secretion of digestive enzymes, bile and stomach acids  responsible for the digestion of food in the stomach and the small intestine. Cumin is also a carminative-  preventing gas formation, flatulence and stomach ache.

Useful in Treating Piles or Haemorrhoids:

Haemorrhoids are caused by  increased pressure on the veins of the anus and the rectum. The pressure results in swelling, pain and even bleeding. Haemorrhoids are a common discomfort in almost 75% of people who  suffer from them due to varied reasons: constipation, pregnancy, obesity or a low fibre diet. Cumin is high in fibre. As already discussed, it is a good digestive. It  is,thus, very useful in the treatment and prevention of piles. Cumin is also used in Ayurveda to treat severe digestive disorders which result in piles.

Helps you Breathe Easy:

The richly aromatic and pungent oils of cumin make it a great anti-congestive. They work by acting as an expectorant - they eliminate accumulated phlegm and mucus from the upper respiratory tract through coughing and sneezing.

They are also good disinfectants and help fight viral infections like the common cold. Cumin also contains Vitamin C which boosts our immune systems and defends us from toxins and, thus, infections.

A great recipe for cold and cough relief would be to boil one tablespoon of cumin with a small piece of crushed ginger in 2 cups of water. Simmer and then strain. Sip this decoction a few times to soothe a sore throat or to relieve a cold.

Good for Lactation:

Cumin is a boon to lactating mothers. It contains 900 mg of calcium and 66.4 mg of iron per 100gm. Calcium is an important constituent of milk and iron is essential for the body to make blood – both of which are important when a woman has delivered and is feeding her baby.

The thymol in cumin stimulates glandular secretions. This includes the secretion of milk from the mammary glands after childbirth. Cumin is good for increasing the quantity and the quality of milk in lactating mothers.

Skin Care Aid:

The essential oils of cumin are good anti-fungal agents and are, thus, good disinfectants. They help to prevent microbial and fungal infections of the skin.

The vitamin E in cumin acts as an antioxidant and is beneficial to skin. It can help in keeping the signs of premature aging like wrinkles and age spots at bay.  A face pack made of finely ground cumin and turmeric in the ratio of 1:3, added to honey or yoghurt and applied to the face gives you glowing skin. Just keep the pack on till it dries and wash off gently with warm water.

Fights Anaemia:

The iron in cumin helps in the production of Haemoglobin, the protein in the blood that carries and transports oxygen to the cells throughout our bodies. Cumin makes a good supplement in treating anaemia or inadequacy of red blood cells.

Protects our Kidneys:

Cuminaldehyde, thymol and phosphorus which are present in cumin are good detoxifying agents. They help to remove toxins from the body through the excretory system and thus aid our kidneys. Cumin oil also protects kidney tissue from free oxygen radicals which might otherwise damage cellular membranes.

The following are some suggestions to help you to magnify the benefits that you can reap by using cumin

1.    Buy organic cumin, free from harmful chemical fertiliser and pesticide residues, untainted by preservatives as well. Do not diminish the goodness of this wonderful little seed.

2.    Prefer whole seeds over powdered cumin as they keep fresh longer and cannot be adulterated as easily as powder.

3.    Grind lightly roasted cumin at home and then powder. Keep in a tightly closed bottle to preserve the aroma. If your use of the powder is limited, you can even store it in the freezer tightly sealed.

Sow the seeds of good health and well being: go for organic cumin right away. Make your job easy by looking for India’s leading  organic products brand.