Cumin for digestive problems and griping pains
Cumin, Cuminum cyminum syn. Cuminum odorum, is also known as cummin and jeera. It is not closely related to anise (sometimes called sweet cumin) and not related to Roman coriander (sometimes called black cumin) at all. Another plant also sometimes called black cumin is the black caraway, which is not closely related.
Cumin is another member of the huge family which includes the carrot and hemlock, and should always be grown from seed bought from a reputable seed merchant. It is a half-hardy annual which reaches a height of about a foot (30cm) and will grow in any medium to light soil, so long as it is well drained, but not in full shade. Sow the seeds under cover in early Spring or direct after all danger of frost has passed, transplanting to their permanent positions in late Spring after the last frost date.
Cumin is not suitable for use as a herbal remedy by pregnant women.
The seed (generally crushed just before use) is the part used in remedies. A standard infusion can be made using 30g (1 ounce) of crushed seed to 500ml of boiling water. The infusion should be allowed to brew for 15 minutes to 4 hours, then strained. The dosage is 75ml (1/3 US cup, 3 fl oz) up to 3 times a day.
The standard infusion can be used to treat flatulence (“gas” or “wind“), stomach/intestinal cramps and general digestive problems, coughs and to increase milk production in nursing mothers and externally for muscle spasms . It can also be used as a general tonic, and is regarded in many places as a sexual stimulant (aphrodisiac). The essential oil is a natural antibacterial and will kill larvae of, for example, head lice (cooties).
As with all plants grown for medicinal use, cumin must be grown organically to avoid its essential oils (which are the medicinally active constituents) from being adulterated by foreign chemicals. To find out more about growing organic cumin visit the Gardenzone.
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