Hi all and happy Friday! Welcome to a brand new edition of “HEALTH BENEFITS OF”. You all know how much I love spices, so this week I am continuing with some insight into the world of CUMIN.
Jeeru, otherwise known as Cumin is one of the most popular seeds/powders in the culinary world. Mountain Rose Herbs describes cumin as
“the seed of a small plant in the parsley family. Its use goes back 5000 years to the Egyptians, who used it not only as a spice but as an ingredient in the mummification process. The Greeks and Romans also used cumin and highly regarded it as one of the essential spices. In the Middle Ages cumin seed was thought to promote love and fidelity, so it was carried by attendees of weddings, and solders were always sent off to battle with a fresh loaf of cumin seed bread. Pungent, sharp, and slightly sweet, the greenish brown powder of this herb is an essential ingredient in Mexican and Indian cuisine.”
You probably know cumin for its culinary uses; throwing it into some curry or flavored rice. Adding it into veggies for a pleasant peppery taste or even roasting it with your favorite meat, but did you know all of the wonderful benefits this spice provides beyond the cooking world?
Don’t worry, I didn’t either until I started researching more about it. Nothing to be ashamed of!
“Besides its culinary uses, this aromatic spice is known for its medicinal properties since ancient times. Being an excellent source of iron, it aids in digestion, boosts the immune system and has anti-carcinogenic properties. Black cumin seeds contain about 100 chemical compounds including vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and fatty acids. They are known for their healing qualities. The Islam culture believes that these can heal any type of disease except death while in Bible they are referred to as the curative black seeds. Thus, this spice has a rich history and was particularly favored by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. In ancient times, it was even used as a method for payment of taxes and debts.”
Every 100 grams of cumin is packed with numerous vitamins and minerals including an abundance of iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, sodium, zinc and Cuminaldehyde which is a is a “natural organic compound constituting of the essential oils of eucalyptus, myrrh, cassia” and of course cumin.
Crazy how a little cumin seed has so many vitamins and minerals that can help sustain our bodies.
Health Benefits of Cumin:
Fights Asthma
Fights Diabetes
Reduces Boils
Prevents Hair Loss
High Source of Iron
Aids in Digestion
High Source of Calcium
Helps Treat Piles
Treats Dandruff
Regulates Metabolism
Fights the Common Cold
Blood Purifier
Treats Insomnia
Beneficial for Lactating Mothers
Antiviral & Antibacterial Properties
Detoxifies Liver
Improves Kidney Functions
Improves Cognizance
Burns Fat
Makes Your Skin Glow
Rejuvenates Youth and Helps With Ageing
Improves Blood Circulation
Promotes Weight Loss
Promotes Detoxification
Cumin, like turmeric, is extremely diverse and can be used in multiple facets of life.
Cooking/Health:
I have put together a recipe for Lemon, Cumin and Ginger Tea that helps promote weight loss.
Lemons are known to boost your digestive system and burn fat cells by absorbing the calcium within a fat cell, while ginger is known as a natural appetite suppressant. Cumin “helps lose weight by influencing the body’s fat profile in a positive way by reducing the levels of harmful lipids in the blood.”
Beauty:
Make a hair mask out of black cumin seeds to get those sexy long tresses you have always wanted.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ Tbsp.
- Black Cumin Seed
- s¾ cup water
- 1 egg yolk
1 -2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
Optional Ingredients to add – you can add to the mixture 2 tsp. of lemon juice to help repair damaged hair and exfoliate the skin on your head.
Combine cumin and water and boil for 10 minutes. Once the water has cooled down strain the seeds from the water. Add the egg yolk to the cumin water and mix well. Add olive oil (and lemon juice if desired).
Hair Preparation and Application:
Massage mixture on scalp and keep for 30 minutes to an hour.
Wash with water.
Alternate hair mask every other week.
Why is Mask so great?
According to Activation “Black cumin seed oil comes from the Nigella sativa seed and has a history of being used to treat thinning hair and baldness. Black cumin has more than 100 nutrients and vitamins to replenish skin and hair. It could help you get a mane to be proud of. If you’re trying to get your hair to grow longer and are getting frustrated with split ends or you’re finding that your hair just won’t grow past a certain length, black cumin oil helps stimulate hair growth and helps minimize split ends. The fatty and amino acids in the oil can provide a protective layer to the hair itself, which protects the strands and prevents them from splitting. Not only can you seal up existing split ends, but you’ll help prevent new ones.”
I hope you all have enjoyed some insight into the cumin world. I will be continuing to highlight a new spice each week. If there is a specific spice you would like me to highlight leave me a comment or send me an e-mail. I want to hear what YOU ALL want!!
Have an awesome weekend and don’t forget to check back in on Monday for an all new Meatless Monday! xx
