Cumin has a number of medicinal effects according to clinical studies. It is more than simply a spice.
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| Cumin has numerous medicinal benefits |
What is Cumin?
The seeds and slender leaves of the drought-tolerant cumin bush has been used traditionally for thousands of years. The seeds are either used whole, crushed or made into oil. The ancient Hebrews and the ancient Egyptians used cumin seed as digestive aide, food preservative and spice – able to soothe the digestive system and help prevent gas.
Cumin has also been used medicinally in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic medicine to help soothe digestion and eliminate intestinal bloating. It is used as a spice in Ayurvedic-inspired dishes such as korma and masala and used in soups in Chinese dishes.
Both Cuminum cyminum and Centratherum anthelminticum are considered Cumin. While not the most common form of Cumin, Centratherum is also referred to in Ayurveda as Banjira and Jangali.
Both forms of Cumin are flowering plants in the Apiaceae family, native to the eastern Mediterranean region and parts of Asia. They are cultivated for their seeds, which are used as a spice in various cuisines around the world.
Cumin plants grow up to 30–50 cm in height and have slender stems with feathery leaves. The seeds are small, elongated, and either brown or yellowish in color.
Traditional Uses of Cumin
Ayurvedic Medicine: Cumin has been used in Ayurveda to improve digestion, treat respiratory disorders, and enhance overall health. Ayurvedic physicians have used Cumin extracts to treat diabetes and skin disorders for centuries.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Cumin is believed to have warming properties and is used to promote digestion, dispel cold, and relieve abdominal pain.
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Cuisine: Cumin seeds are a staple spice in various dishes, adding flavor and aroma.
Curry ingredient: While Centratherum is often used to make the spice mix called Curry, another form of cumin, Cuminum cyminum, is also used to make Curry. Cuminum cyminum is a relative of parsley, with its own medicinal qualities. Curry’s yellow color is due to its Turmeric content.
Primary Compounds
Cumin seeds contain several bioactive compounds, including:
- Cuminaldehyde
- Cuminol
- Cymene
- Terpenes
- Phenols
- Flavonoids
- Vitamins (A, C)
- Minerals (iron, manganese, magnesium)
Health Benefits of Cumin
Digestive Health: Cumin seeds are rich in essential oils that aid digestion by stimulating enzyme secretion. They are traditionally used to relieve indigestion, bloating, and gas.
Antioxidant Properties: The flavonoids and phenolic compounds in cumin possess antioxidant properties, which help neutralize free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Cumin contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce inflammation and symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
Weight Management: Some studies suggest that cumin may aid in weight management by boosting metabolism and promoting fat loss.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Cumin seeds have been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels, potentially benefiting individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance.
Immune Support: The vitamins and minerals in cumin contribute to immune function, supporting overall health and wellbeing.
Cumin helps Weight Loss and Bad Cholesterol
The women receiving the cumin had a reduction in weight, BMI and waist circumference reduction. They also had lower levels of triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol as a result of the cumin ingestion.
Cumin for oxidative stress and inflammation
Researchers have also found that Centratherum reduces oxidative stress upon cells and tissues due to its antioxidant potency. It also has been shown to stimulate healing for inflammatory conditions. Other research found the herb to be analgesic – having the ability to halt or lessen pain.
Besides the compounds mentioned above, Centratherum has been shown to contain steroidal biochemicals that inhibit pathogenic fungi and bacteria.
Cumin also contains carotenoids. Carotenoids have been found to inhibit cancer as well.
Cumin oil studied as IBS treatment
Irritable bowel syndrome, also called inflammatory bowel disease, is an intestinal condition that affects millions of people. Cumin is one of the oldest natural remedies for this condition. This is proven out by the research.
A 2013 study tested 57 patients with IBS were tested for four weeks. They were given 20 drops o Cumin oil. After two and four weeks, the patients had significantly reduced symptoms of IBS. They were tested again four weeks after stopping treatment, with continued improvement of symptoms.
The also found stool consistency among the patients taking the Cumin oil.
In another 2013 study from the Middle East, doctors also found that cumin extract significantly reduced symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
This study followed 50 patients diagnosed with IBS using ROME II criteria. Before the study began, 28 percent of the patients were experiencing severe abdominal pain. Forty-four percent experienced moderate abdominal pain.
The patients had symptoms including watery and irregular stools, painful elimination, abdominal pain, nausea and other symptoms. The doctors also ruled out other disorders that could have been producing the symptoms. They also excluded patients that had known food allergies.
More than half the patients had diarrhea-dominant IBS, and the rest had constipation-dominant IBS. The average duration of IBS among the patients was three years.
The researchers treated the patients for a month with 10 drops twice a day of 2% cumin essential oil. The patients’ symptoms were checked every 14 days.
At the end of the four weeks, every one of the patients reported significant improvement in IBS symptoms. None of the patients reported severe abdominal pain, compared to 28 percent before the treatment. And only 22 percent of them reported moderate abdominal pain, compared to 44 percent before the treatment.
The pain relief continued after the treatment, with some fall back. During the next four weeks, only five percent reported severe pain and 52 percent reported moderate pain. This pain relief continued through to four weeks after but trended back – with 5% reporting severe and 52% reporting moderate pain. This means that 57 percent reported pain compared to 72 percent prior to treatment.
Nausea, diarrhea and constipation improved
Among those who were constipated, patients went from between two and six bowel movements per week to between six and 12 bowel movements per week after four weeks of treatment.
In the diarrhea group, the patients went from between 14 and 50 bowel movements per week to between six and 23 bowel movements a week.
So both groups had improved bowel movement frequency. This improvement in both groups persisted through four weeks after stopping the treatment, though in both groups there was a trend back to their original scores after stopping the treatment.
Before treatment 76 percent of the patients had mucous in the stool. After the four weeks of treatment, none had the mucous in the stool. During the next four weeks, this grew to 52 percent, showing the treatment cut mucous down to nil.
Of those patients who had diarrhea, following the four weeks of treatment, only 11 percent of the patients had the watery stools. And 88 percent had normal stools. These percentages increased after treatment ended as well.
In addition, prior to treatment, 42 percent of the patients experienced mild or moderate nausea. After the treatment, only 10 percent experienced nausea, and this was all mild nausea.
Before treatment 87 percent of those suffering constipation had painful bowel movements. Following the treatment, only 25 percent had painful bowel movements. In the four weeks following treatment, this grew to 72 percent – still lower than before the treatment.
Cumin fights microbe and parasite infections
Addition research from India’s Banaras Hindu University found that cumin seed essential oil proved to be anti-fungal. The researchers found that cumin seed oil significantly inhibited Aspergillis flavus – which causes aflatoxin.
Earlier research found cumin oil inhibits several other species of yeast and bacteria, including Candida species and Escherichia coli.
Another study, from 2011, showed that cumin inhibited the growth of the intestinal parasite, Blastocystis hominis.
Human breast cancer studied with cumin
Research from the University of Malaya’s Medical School Faculty has determined that a common spice used in Curry – not referring to Turmeric – stops the growth of breast cancer cells.
The researchers investigated the activity of the seeds of Centratherum anthelminticum.
The researchers tested the cumin seeds against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells within the laboratory. They found that the cumin produced breast cancer cell death, along with a shrinking of cell size and deformed cellular structure among the cells.
The investigators then extracted the Centratherum compound, to produce six different fractions. These included dihydroxyoleic acid, vernodalin and others. The researchers then tested each fraction against the human breast cancer cells and found that the vernodalin had the most ability to kill and halt the breast cancer growth.
The researchers concluded that:
“Overall, our data suggest a potential therapeutic value of vernodalin to be further developed as new anti-cancer drug.”
Part of the effect of Centratherum may be its ability to inhibit the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), as found in other research.
Other research has shown Centratherum to be a potent antifungal, an anti-inflammatory agent and an antioxidant in addition to its cancer-fighting potential.
Indian researchers determined its antifungal qualities, while University of Malaya scientists determined the seeds may have a rejuvenating effect upon pancreatic cells.
Commentary
Admittedly, the clinical study above had no placebo group. Some of the patients also had some adverse effects immediately after taking the cumin extract. These included nausea, abdominal pain and dizziness.
In addition, as many patients trended back to their original condition during the four weeks after the treatment, the treatment would not be considered a cure for IBS.
At the same time, cumin is an inexpensive herb that is readily available as a spice herb. The oil was shown to be antibacterial, so whole seeds or whole crushed seeds are likely to retain that property.
It should also be noted that cumin essential oil can be very powerful, especially when taken internally. This study used a 2% essential oil, a very diluted essential oil. Ten drops of a 100% essential cumin oil could be dangerous.
Thus it is wise to consult with your health practitioner before using this or other treatments for IBS.
REFERENCES
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