Health Benefits of Cumin, Uses And Its Side Effects

Cumin is known to cure digestive problems. However, a lesser known fact is that even its aroma, which emanates from a compound known as cuminaldehyde, facilitates digestion as it activates the salivary glands in the mouth. It also contains thymol, which complements the action of cuminaldehyde, by stimulating the glands that complete the digestive process. It enables the body to secrete acids, bile, and enzymes that break down the food and improves digestion and increases appetite. It is widely used as a home remedy for stomach aches. When taken with hot water, its essential oils, sodium, and magnesium content relieve the stomach of spasms.

An extension of its digestive properties, cumin can also help cure hemorrhoids or piles. Hemorrhoids are caused by constipation and infections or wounds in the anal tract. The high fiber content of cumin has carminative, antifungal, antimicrobial, and stimulating properties. In powdered form, this acts as a natural laxative. The essential oils in cumin heal wounds and cures infections in the digestive and excretory tracts, thus curing hemorrhoids.

Early studies into the healing and medicinal properties of cumin show that it prevents diabetes by reducing the chances of hypoglycemia. Although further studies and inquisitions are still being conducted, experts already believe that cumin can be a powerful preventative tool. It can also be used to manage diabetes in existing patients.

Cumin has an abundance of vitamin E, which is vital for maintaining good epidermal health preventing premature signs of aging. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and helps keep the skin young and inhibits premature signs of aging such as spots, wrinkles, and sagging skin. In addition, cumin’s essential oils have antifungal and disinfectant properties, which prevent the skin from being affected by fungal or microbial infections.

The common cold can affect the human body repeatedly, especially if the body’s immune system is compromised and vulnerable. Cumin helps the body disinfect itself. The essential oils present in cumin help fight viral infections which cause the common cold. Cumin draws out the phlegm and mucus, enabling the body to rid itself of the infection. Besides treating the infection, cumin can also help rebuild up the body’s immune system. As it is rich in iron and vitamin C, the body’s defense mechanism can repair itself, thus mitigating the chances of contracting the infection once more in a short span of time.

Cumin enhances the immunity of the human body due to an abundance of iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C, along with the presence of essential oils. As vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, it stimulates and improves the action of white blood cells. It also keeps the detrimental effects of free radicals at bay. This is an essential function as it controls cellular metabolism, a process which produces free radicals, and free radicals are very dangerous as they may cause cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

One of the lesser known benefits of cumin is in the treatment of respirational ailments such as Bronchitis and Asthma. It is an ideal anticongestive as it contains caffeine and rich, aromatic, essential oils. It liquefies phlegm and mucus that accumulate in respiratory tracts, acting as an expectorant, and triggers the body’s natural elimination mechanism, that is sneezing and coughing. In this way, it acts as an inhibitor to more phlegm and mucus accumulating in the respiratory system, which in turn heals the initial condition.

Anemia plagues a large portion of the world’s population, without many people even recognizing it.There are numerous symptoms of anemia such as anxiety, fatigue, digestive problems, and cognitive issues. However, cumin is the perfect antidote to anemia as it is rich in iron. A 100 gm serving of cumin contains 66 mg of iron. This is more than five times the requirement of iron in an adult. Cumin provides the iron needed for optimum levels of hemoglobin in red blood corpuscles. Hemoglobin, in turn, is responsible for the transfer of oxygen through the body.

As cumin is rich in iron, it increases the production of hemoglobin in the blood and increases blood flow. Healthy circulation of blood ensures that the right amount of oxygen and iron is reaching the brain as well as the other organs in the body. It therefore improves overall bodily function and improves cognitive performance. Many studies have directly linked this effect with a decrease in cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Studies show that cumin has chemopreventive properties, and also increases the secretion of anticarcinogenic enzymes and detoxifying agents. Additionally, it also contains antioxidants such as vitamins A and C, and antioxidants are also known to have anticarcinogenic properties. All these components work together to prevent cancer, especially colon cancer.

One of the most ironic properties of cumin is that it can act as both, a stimulant and a relaxant. Experts have identified stress and anxiety as the most common causes of insomnia. Studies have shown that the aromatic oils present in cumin have tranquilizing effects, thus relieving stress and anxiety. Furthermore, it improves digestion, which in turn positively impacts the body’s ability to relax.

Cumin is a great source of nutrients for women undergoing menses, expectant mothers, as well as lactating mothers as it is rich in iron. It can control and prevent anemia and supplement the calcium requirement for women as they grow older. It is especially beneficial for lactating mothers as it contains thymol which increases the secretion of milk from the mammary glands. Lactating and expectant mothers are advised to ensure that their intake of calcium is optimum, so as to nourish the baby properly. As cumin is rich in calcium, constituting 930 mg of the entire nutrient intake per 100 grams, it can account for at least 90% of the daily intake advised for lactating mothers.