Cumin (Jira), binomial name Cuminum cyminum, it is an aromatic seed, is a long elongated seed with light yellowish brown in color with slight bitter taste. It is an essential ingredient in South Indian dishes used to add flavor for the curries. Cumin is popular in other parts of Asia, Mexico, Spain, and in Middle Eastern Countries as well. It grows in most hot places, especially India, North Africa, China and the Americas. India produces 70% of the world’s production and the Jira water is a popular drink in South India, which believed that it enhances appetite, taste sensitivity, digestion, strength, and lactation.

In Tamil language, it is called Jiragam and the Siddha Medical System uses powdered cumin seeds for its medicinal preparations (Decoction, Fermented decoction, tablets) for thousands of years for treatments of digestion problems, cold, pain and fever.

It has excellent source of iron which is an integral component of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen from the lungs to all body cells, and also plays a key role in keeping your immune system healthy. It is also has good source of vitamin B1,vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, copper and Manganese.

Some of the many benefits of Cumin include:

• Anti-aging

  • Vitamin E in cumin triggers anti-ageing process within the body

• Anti-carcinogenic

  • protects from the development of stomach or liver tumours

  • it is helpful for treating colon and breast cancer

• Ant-fungal

  • It is rich in vitamin C which helps to cure cold and other respiratory problems

• Anti-oxidant

  • It can help to strengthen your immune system and increase your body's fighting power against infection

  • Improves stamina

• Digestion

  • Cumin stimulate the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, compounds necessary for proper digestion and nutrient absorption

  • Relief for chronic indigestion

  • It cures enlargement of skin and colic in stomach

  • It cures flatulation

  • Chewing few cumin seeds daily helps relief from constipation , gas, bloating and heaviness issues

• It helps in maintaining proper blood content levels in the body

• It helps to treat anaemia

• It eliminates the worms, which are present in the intestines

• It strengthens the stomach, liver and intestines.

• It increases the capacity of production of mothers milk and the flow

• Its oil is effective for eczema

• It helps to relieve from menstrual pain

• It decreases the temperature level in the body

• It helps regulate the sleep pattern, especially for people who suffer from insomnia.

• It helps to have healthy menstrual cycle for women of all age groups

• Cumin seed with sugar cures acidity

• Drinking cumin water relieves burning sensation of the palms and soles

The above information is to share the knowledge of Traditional Siddha Herbs and do not serve as a medical advice.