Cumin - what is it? Useful and harmful properties

Cumin - what is it? Many people assume that cumin is another name for dill. But this opinion is erroneous. Let's get acquainted in more detail, what kind of plant, where caraway seeds, oil is used, the benefits and harm from them in what are they?

Cumin - what is it?

The land of cumin is Egypt. This is a small plant from the family of parsley. The Egyptians used it not only as a spice, but also as an ingredient in the mummification process. Greeks and Romans also consumed cumin and appreciated it as one of the main condiments.

In the Middle Ages, it was believed that cumin promoted love and faithfulness, so that weddings always served drinks from this plant, which they ate with fresh bread.

Currently, it grows mainly in hot countries, especially in India, North Africa, China and South America. This spice is primarily associated with Indian cuisine and is used primarily throughout India.

Cumin is a small umbellate plant. Its seeds are from three to six millimeters in length. They have a striped pattern of brown color.

This plant is freely available in the West, although this is not a traditional European spice.

Features of flavor and taste

Cumin has a strong, heavy and warm, spicy-sweet flavor. As for the taste, it can be described as acute, powerful, harsh and bitter.

Where is cumin used?

Cumin is used mainly for flavoring dishes. Food with these spices is widely distributed in Indian cuisine, as well as in the cooking of the Middle East, Mexico, Portugal and Spain. Especially popular with him is the stew prepared on the grill, as well as the dishes from mutton and chicken. It also perfectly combines with rice, beans, eggplant, beans.

The plant is one of the ingredients for creating such a seasoning as curry, as well as other spicy spicy mixtures.

Also it can often be found in phytotherapy. In traditional herbal medicine, this plant is used as a diuretic, for the treatment of stomach disorders and flatulence. It is believed that it promotes a healthy digestive process. Cumin stimulates menstruation, and can also be added to rinses for the treatment of laryngitis. Poultices from it are used to treat breast or testicular tumors. In ayurvedic medicine, cumin with melted butter is smoked to facilitate hiccough.

Cumin: Benefits

Characteristics of cumin as a medicine:

• Diuretic;
• Stimulating digestion;
• Antispasmodic.

Cumin oil is a good source of iron, manganese and other vitamins and minerals.

With diarrhea, indigestion, hoarseness, colic, tunnel syndrome, morning sickness, medications containing caraway seeds are often used. The benefits of such a tool are almost instantaneous.

Women during pregnancy and lactation doctors also recommend using cumin. The benefits in this case are: decreased nausea and an increase in the amount of milk.

Also, caraway seeds are used to stimulate appetite.

Here are a few examples of the benefits of caraway:

• Extract reduces total cholesterol, triglycerides;
• Helps protect the liver from toxins;
• Helps in the treatment of drug dependence.

Harm from cumin

Like any other products, cumin may lead to various complications. Harm to him will be felt by people who have at least one of the listed diseases:

• ulcer;
• gastritis;
• Stones in the gallbladder;
• heart problems;
• diabetes.

This means that it is contraindicated for patients to use tinctures and decoctions with cumin. But you can eat dishes that are slightly flavored by them.

Black cumin

Little difference from the usual spicy black cumin. The damage is slightly less. That is why it is he who is used for medical purposes.

Black cumin - what is it? This is a plant that belongs to the family of the Lyutikovs. Its oil is saturated with potent active biological substances, vitamins and minerals, which are very necessary for man.

Medicinal preparations containing oil of black cumin are used for the following purposes:

• Dissolution of stones in the gallbladder and kidneys;
• Increase of efficiency;
• Destruction of worms;
• Treatment of colds;
• Excretion of sputum;
• Treatment of rheumatism;
• Skin cleansing;
• Preventing the appearance of new birthmarks;
• Increased immune defenses;
• Treatment of leprosy;
• Treatment of diarrhea ;
• The removal of venom from the snake bite;
• Reduction in the size of the lymph nodes;
• Increased visual acuity;
• Treatment of solid tumors;
• Treatment of chronic headaches;
• Treatment of obstruction of blood vessels;
• Calming the nervous system;
• Improvement of lactation;
• Removal of warts;
• Treatment of dyspnea;
• Getting rid of a cold;
• Increased potency.

Black cumin (what it is, you already know) is used not only for broths, but also for compresses.

And the aroma from burning a few drops of black cumin oil helps in repelling mosquitoes and other unpleasant insects.

As for dosage, an adult norm for children can bring real harm. Therefore, it should be reduced approximately two to three times.

It is strictly forbidden to use caraway seeds for people who have undergone the operation for transplantation of any organs, as well as those who have serious heart problems.

With all the useful properties of cumin, you should remember that everything is good in moderation. Therefore, try not to overdo the seasonings during cooking, and if you decide to consume cumin oil, then first consult a physician-therapist.