Jeera or Cumin Seeds

Jeera or cumin seeds belong to family Apiaceae. In Sanskrit, Cumin is known as Jiraka. Jira means “that which helps digestion”. Cumin seeds have unique flavor and aroma and are used to spice and season many dishes like curries and chutneys. The strong aroma of jeera or cumin seeds is due to the presence of compound cumin aldehyde. Cumin can be used ground or as whole seeds.

Due to its numerous medicinal qualities, cumin is used as an ingredient in many home remedies.

• Cumin reduces pain in the stomach and relieves indigestion and flatulence. Boil 1 tsp of jeera in 1 glass of water and let it cool. Drink this water. It relieves most of the stomach problems. Honey mixed with powdered jeera reduces colic pain and diarrhea.
• Cumin seeds soothe inflamed intestine and relieve piles. Mix 1 tsp of roasted cumin seeds, 1/2 tsp of ginger juice and a pinch of salt. Add it in a glass of buttermilk. Take it 2-3 times a day.
• Pomegranate juice mixed with roasted cumin powder cures irritable bowel syndrome. It soothes colon and reduces the frequency of stool.
• Consuming 1tsp of cumin seeds mixed with yogurt cures morning sickness during pregnancy.
• It increases milk production in lactating mothers. Boil Jeera in water, cool it and then filter it. This given regularly to lactating mothers reduces the inflammation of the uterus and increases breast milk. A cup of warm milk mixed with 1tsp of cumin powder and sugar is also very good.
• Boil 1 tsp of jeera in 1 glass of water and add a pinch of cardamom. Let it cool down. Filter it and gargle with this water. This freshens the mouth, eliminates foul smell and heals mouth ulcers. It also improves saliva secretion.
• Cumin strengthens the gums and prevents gum bleeding. Dry roast the jeera and grind it to a powder. Add rock salt to it. Message the gum with this powder.
• It is a skin-friendly herb and reduces itching. A fine paste of jeera seeds applied on boils of aching parts of the body gives relief from the pain.
• Drinking tea prepared by boiling ginger with cumin seeds gives quick relief from the common cold and sore throat. This should be taken 2-3 times a day. For sinusitis make a mixture by mixing 100 gms of cumin powder and 200 gms of honey. Take this mixture regularly every day.
• Mix 1tbsp of cumin powder to coconut milk. It reduces prickly heat.
• For kidney problems, grind the mixture of 20 gms Cumin, 12 gms Caraway seeds, 6 gms Black salt. Take 3 grams of this mixture daily along with a bit of vinegar.
• For vomiting, boil 1 tsp of cumin seeds in 1cup of water and add Nutmeg in it. Cool it down and stain and drink it.
• For lowering high blood pressure, mix Cumin powder, Ginger Juice, and Honey and consume it regularly.
• Diabetes can be treated by taking 1/2 tsp of freshly powdered Cumin along with water 2 times a day.