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Latin name: Cuminum cyminum

English/Common name: Cumin seed

Indian/Ayurvedic name: Zira (Hindi & Bengali), Shimai Shiragam (Tamil), Shima Jilakan, (Telugu), Kushna Jeerak (Sanskrit), Shah Jeerun (Gujarati), Jeerigay (Kannada), Black Cumin (English)

Cumin (pronounced "come-in") is the pale green seed of Cuminum cyminum, a small herb in the parsley family. The seed is uniformly eliptical and deeply furrowed.

Habitat: It is a small, slender annual herb about one foot high, with a much branched, angular or striated stem, bearing two or three linear leaves, bluish-green in colour. The flowers are brownish-yellow, tapering towards both ends and compressed laterally. Cultivated throughout India except Bengal and Assam. Main areas are the Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

An ancient spice, Cumin is native to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and Egypt. Currently it is grown in many places, as it is rather easy to grow and adapts well to many climates. Cumin is one of the ancient spices, a favorite of the Romans and it is mentioned in the Old Testament. During medieval times, it was favored in Europe and Britain The increasing popularity of Mexican influenced foods is boosting the sale of Cumin.

Cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum) is an anti-gas remedy with actions very similar to fennel, coriander, dill and anise, to which it is closely related.

Cumin seed is an anti-gas remedy with actions very similar to fennel, coriander, dill and anise, to which it is closely related. Ayurveda considers cumin to be a particularly good antidote to pungent foods.

Action (karma); Rochan, Deepan (appetiser), Pachan (digestive), Grahi (anti-diarrhoeal), Vatanuloman (relieves gastric distention). Used in Vaman (vomiting), Atisar (diarrhoea), Vednahar (analgesic), Kupachan (indigestion), Mutra Rog (urinary disease).

It possesses high medicinal properties, aiding digestion, expelling gas from stomach and intestines. A cure for chronic dysentery . Fruit; stomachic, stimulant, carminative, astringent. Useful in dyspepsia and diarrhoea. Mainly the seeds are used. Properties; cooling, diuretic, digestive, astringent, antiseptic. It is possible that because of its cooling, diuretic and antiseptic properties, it works well in curing urinary infections. Stimulant, beneficial in hoarseness of voice, paste externally applied to allay pain and irritation due to worms in the abdomen.

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