Cuminum cyminum
Nepali
Name: Jeera
Scientific Name: Cuminum
cyminum
Sanskrit Name: Jeerak
English Name: Cumin
Family:
Umbelliferae |
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Description:
Jeera/cumin is small, slender annual herb with a smooth
surface and long slender root. It grows up to a height of
35-45 cm. It possesses with a much-branched angular or striated
stem, bearing 2 or 3 partite linear leaves, bluish green
in color and having sheathing bases. It has aromatic seed
like fruit, commonly known as cumin seed/ Jeera. It is oval
shaped, approximately 6mm long and light yellowish-brown
in color. It has a peculiar, strong and heavy odour. The
dried seeds form an essential ingredient of curry powder.
Distribution: Cultivated in Nepal
Distribution:
cultivated throughout Nepal
Parts used: Fruit
Traditional
importance:
The cumin seed is extensively used mixed spices and for
flavouring curries, soups, sausages, bread and cakes. It
is an ingredient of curry powder, pickles and Chutneys.
Chemical composition:
A fruit consists of 11.9 % moisture, 18.7% protein, 23.8%
Fat, 12% crude fibre, 36.6% carbohydrate and 4.8% mineral
per 100 grams. The minerals and Vitamin contents are calcium,
phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, thiamine, riboflavin,
niacin, vitamins C ( found up to 3 mg) and A( found 870
IU). The main constituent cumaldehyde is found up to 2-4%.
Medicinal
properties:
The chief constituent of the volatile oil
is cumaldehyde. In indigenous medicine, cumin seeds have
long been considered stimulant and carminative. They are
stomachic, astringent and useful in diarrhea and dyspepsia;
improves appetite and taste. They are now chiefly used in
Veterinary medicine. The seeds showed antifertility and
abortifacient activity in female rats. They have been credited
with aphrodisiac properties.
Curative properties:
Digestive
disorders:
Cumin seeds are very useful in digestive disorders like
biliousness, morning sickness, indigestion, atonic dyspepsia,
diarrhoea, malabsorption syndrome, and flatulent colic.
One teaspoon of cumin seeds is boiled in a glass of water
and the decoction mixed with one teaspoon of fresh coriander
leaf juice and pinch of salt. This decoction can be taken
twice daily after meals as a medicine for diarrhoea.
Piles: :
Black cumin is beneficial in the treatment of piles. About
60 grams of the seeds, of which half should be roasted,
should be ground together. Three grams of this flour should
be taken with water.
Insomnia:
Cumin is valuable in relieving sleeplessness. A teaspoon
of the fried powder of cumin seeds mixed with the pulp of
a ripe banana can be taken at night to induce sleep.
Renal colic:
Black cumin seeds mixed with caraway seeds and black salt
is useful in renal colic. About 20 grams of cumin seeds,
12 grams of caraway seeds and 6 grams of black salt are
ground together and mixed with a little vinegar. This mixture
can be taken in doses of 3 grams every hour till relief
is obtained.
Common cold:
Dilute cumin water is an antiseptic beverage and very useful
in common cold and fevers. To prepare cumin water, a teaspoon
of cumin is added to boiling water, which is allowed to
simmer for a few seconds and set aside to cool. If the cold
is associated with sore throat, a few small pieces of dry
ginger should be added to the water. It soothes throat irritation.
Problem of
Milk Secretion:
A decoction of cumin seeds/ Jeera mixed with milk and honey,
taken once daily during the entire period of pregnancy helps
the healthy development of the foetus, cases child-birth
and increases the secretion of breast milk.
Amnesia:
Cumin seeds are valuable in amnesia or dullness of memory.
Three grams of black cumin seeds are mixed with 12 grams
of pure honey and licked.
Boils:
Black cumin ground in water is applied as a paste over the
boils with beneficial results.
Scorpion sting:
Paste of the cumin seeds prepared with onion juice, applied
over scorpion sting will retard the frequency of upbeats.
Other uses:
It is also used in uterine problems, menstruation disorders
etc.
Dosage:
3-6 gm
Ayurvedic preparations:
Jeerakadi modak, Jeerakadya Churna, Jeerakadya Taila etc.
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