Quick Facts

Botanical Name: Cuminum cyminum
Family Name: Apiaceae
Common Name: Cumin
Part used: Seed
Specific Gravity: 0.9200 to 0.9300 at 20°C
Optical Rotation: +3.00 to +8.00
Refractive Index: 1.468 to 1.4800 at 20°C

Blends well with: Angelica, Caraway, Chamomile, Pepper

Uses: Used in flavours, meat and sea food industry, Asian cuisine, the oil is rich in antioxidants. It has many medicinal benefits, oil reduces blood pressure.
Countries where it's found
The plant is native to South and Southwest Asia but is believed to have originated in Israel and Egypt. Cumin seed oil is widely used in India, China, Persia, and Mediterranean countries. The plant is cultivated in Cyprus, Morocco, south Europe, Iran, China, and India.

Harvesting Information

Cumin plant is harvested during dry and hot climate.

History of the Plant

The plant "s history can be traced back to ancient Egyptians and Assyrians. The oil was used by Pharaohs to aid in digestion especially after a heavy feast. In Turkey, cumin was found inside a Hittite flask from the 2nd millennium BCE. Islamic physicians prescribed cumin seeds for various respiratory problems.

 Extraction Process

Cumin seed oil is extracted by steam distillation from ripe seeds. The oil is golden brown in colour with moderate viscosity and a spicy, pungent flavour.

Commonly known Benefits

Health Benefits

€¢ Cumin seed oil is known for its digestive properties. It aids in digestion, stimulates secretion of digestive enzymes, and removes gas from the intestine and stomach.
€¢ The essential oil of cumin decreases blood pressure.
€¢ Warm cumin oil eases muscular pains and osteoarthritis.
€¢ Colic, dyspepsia, bloating, flatulence, and indigestion can be cured using the oil.
€¢ Cumin seed oil can be used against diabetes, asthma, hay fever, leukaemia, allergies, and rheumatism.
€¢ The oil is perfectly suited for mature and ageing skin, dry and cracked skin.
€¢ In addition, it is beneficial in treating skin conditions such as acne, boils, and psoriasis, eczema.
€¢ When mixed with honey and garlic, the oil acts a good tonic for people suffering from cold or coughs.
€¢ Ancient Egyptians used the oil for treating headaches, toothaches, and infections.
€¢ Studies have shown that the compounds in the oil are effective against fighting diseases and boost the production of bone marrow and immune cells.
€¢ The oil flushes out toxins thereby stimulating proper functioning of the liver.
€¢ Certain recent studies have shown that the oil can assist autoimmune disorders thereby preventing and treating cancer.
€¢ It stimulates the hormone system thereby treating intestinal parasites, worms, and candida.
€¢ Lethargy, weak concentration, mental exhaustion, colic in babies, cuts, bruises, gall bladder, and kidney can be treated by the oil.

Other Benefits

€¢ Egyptian Queen Nefertiti was believed to have anointed her skin with cumin seed oil to strengthen and boost her hair and nails.
€¢ The oil is absorbed easily onto the skin and is included in moisturisers and haircare products.
€¢ Cumin seed oil is used in breads and as a base for salad dressings.
€¢ Annually 12 tons of cumin seeds oil are produced in Egypt and Spain.
€¢ In America, the oil is used as a spice and a heath supplement.

Interesting info on Cumin

Cumin ( Cuminum cyminum) is in the parsley category of essential oils. Traditionally this is a conventional central easterly spice and a chief constituent of curries. It is mostly utilised in conventional Ayurvedic medication, chiefly as a stimulus for digestive complaints as colic, sluggish digestion and stomach upset. The old Hebrews applied cumin as a bactericidal for circumcision.

Cumin essential oil has a few exciting features. It is anti-tumoral, anti-inflammatory drug, an antiviral agent, digestive assistance, liver protectant and resistant stimulus. It is utilised in cancer, infectious diseases, and for digestive troubles. Cumin could be consumed internally, diluted and implemented to the skin, the chakras/vita flex points, directly breathed in or diffused. It is commonly non-poisonous, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing yet it's fairly phototoxic meaning you shouldn't enforce this oil to your skin and so expose your skin to the ultraviolet beams of the sun.