School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion
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SERVING SIZE: 1/8 tsp SPECIES: Cuminum cyminum FAMILY:
Apiaceae EAT IN: "I totally enjoy and give you thanks for empowering others with useful knowledge. I sense your enthusiasm while I am..." - andrea,  SEE MORE REVIEWS & COMMENTSAbout the Author: John Immel, How Can Cumin Make You Feel Great?AYURVEDIC ANALYSISCumin & DigestionCumin is most famously employed to warm the digestive process so food is assimilated and digested comfortably. Its pungent taste warms and stimulates blood flow to digestive organs. Meanwhile, cumin's unique combination of bitters and aromatics stimulate peristalsis, the rhythmic contractions of your digestive tract. Peristalsis propels stagnant food and gas downward, which you may experience as a bit of gurgling as your digestive system resolves any issues. Together these tastes address the root causes of gas and bloating: slow breakdown of food, sluggish motility, and poor absorption of vitamins and nutrients.Cumin's Drying EffectsCumin heats up and dries your body in early spring to help prepare your body for warmer weather ahead, effectively mimicking a hot cedar sauna. Its drying effect is useful for any spring dampness and excessive wetness in the body, such as mold allergies and congested lung conditions. It absorbs fluids from the large intestine helping to bind loose stool. It is a mild diuretic that can flush spring water weight.Skin & Blood CleanserBitter is beautiful and cumin's bitterness is no exception. Bitter purifies the blood. Cumin's warm pungency and purifying bitters encourage clear complexion. Cumin opens the pores, revitalizing the skin and restoring color after a cold winter. These dilating and purifying properties have also been traditionally applied to reduce Vata type fevers, and to reduce tightness in the chest. Cumin is a stimulant useful to improve circulation and metabolism in general.Muscle RelaxantAdditionally, this mega-spice is an antispasmodic, meaning that it calms and smoothes spasms. The seeds are a treasure for women - soothing cramping around menstruation. It also relieves pain and inflammation of the uterus. Cumin, like many diaphoretic herbs that open the pores, promotes the flow of breast milk for new mothers. Cumin's Kapha clearing and antispamsmodic qualities were traditionally used during asthma attacks.ExamplesAre beans difficult for you to digest? Spike your next hummus with a generous addition of ground cumin. Colicky kidneys? A tea of cumin and raw sugar was used to reduce renal colic. Tasty and multi-purposeful, cumin is safe for everyday use but should be taken in moderation only by those with digestive inflammation or other heat disorders.ABOUT CUMINBUYING & PREPARATIONCOOKING CUMIN Browse RecipesCumin's rustic, earthy tones make it a staple in soups and stews. A roasted root vegetable mix becomes exotic with a shake of the powdered spice. The same old squash soup becomes rich and lovely with a cumin's fragrant magic. The toasted seeds add an earthy heartiness to yogurt with a dash of mint. A large pinch lightens up a delicious guacamole. Try cumin sprinkled on top of an omelet, in your favorite soups, or the whole seed in home fries. Try it in salad dressings, to add a rustic aroma to rice, or a hearty flavor to any bean dish. Try it in your favorite corn recipe. The powder mixed with honey can be used as a tasty jam/paste. Try sauteing them in oil, dry roasting them, or sprinkling the ground spice fresh. Learn about the health benefits of Cumin for FREE
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WHY SHOULD YOU EAT AYURVEDICALLY?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with at any given time. Foods that supplement your specific body type’s needs and digest easily create your menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you experience optimal health.Is Cumin Good for Me?MEDICINAL QUALITIES
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.Digestion: Antispasmodic , ANTISPASMODICHerbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, colic or IBS.Carminative , CARMINATIVEStimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward.Digestive , DIGESTIVEHerbs that encourage healthy digestive.Spleen Tonic SPLEEN-TONICAn herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.Cleanse and Detox: Burns Toxins , BURNS-TOXINSAn herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.Detoxicant DETOXICANTAn herb that eliminates or metabolizes toxins from the body.Immune System: Analgesic , ANALGESICRelieves or reduces feelings of pain without eliminating sensation.Anthelminthic , ANTHELMINTHICKills wormsAntimicrobial ANTIMICROBIALAn agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.Kidney & Urinary: Diuretic DIURETICHerbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.Lung and Sinus: Decongestant DECONGESTANTAn herb that reduces mucus congestion in the sinus or lungs by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.Reproductive Health: Galactagogue GALACTAGOGUEIncreases production of breast milk.AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONERS!(Not you? Keep scrolling!) Are you struggling with your health?Learn how to feel your best by balancing your diet in just a week.How to Use Food AyurvedicallyHOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong. View Other Ingredients for SpringCumin is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring ingredients here.Comments & Impressions of 'Cumin'Do you like 'cumin'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something you'd like to know about 'cumin'?
I totally enjoy and give you thanks for empowering others with useful knowledge. I sense your enthusiasm while I am reading and appreciate the details ;)
Peace,
Andrea
Is it possible to eat cumin during autumn winter? I am vata pitta with vata (especially) out of balance.Grateful for any advice. Thanks.
Yes, it is definitely possible to eat cumin in fall and winter. It's a great digestive - good for all doshas.
Thank you. Why is it recommened for spring above? And why is it 'drying' if it is good for Vata? I am new to Ayurveda hence the questions :)
It's recommended for Spring because it is drying and most folks have excess moisture in spring. It's recommended for Vata because it's a digestive herb.
a traditional home remedy for
This information has not been validated by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
Digestion Bloating / distension, Colic / spasm / cramping, Craving Crunchy Foods, Frequent Hiccup, Gas, irregular digestion, Hiatal Hernia, Irregular/small appetite, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Malabsorption, Slow, heavy digestion, Traveler's Diarrhea, Worm / Parasite, Yellow teethBlood and Circulation Chronic Fungus infection, Feet or Ankles Swelling, Teeth marks on tongue edges, Thick coating tongue, Water RetentionRespiratory Health Clear mucus, Pneumonia, Post nasal drip, Runny nose, Seasonal allergies, Sore throat, Stuffed nose (can't breathe), Thin mucusMind Stress Sleep Cry easily, MigrainesBones Fibromyalgia, Hip painPoop Frothy Stool / with Bubbles, Mucus on stool, Sinking stool, Soft Stool, Stool entirely liquid, no solid pieces, Stool in mushy pieces mixed with liquid, Stool thick mud, Undigested food in stoolReproductive Health Insufficient Breast Milk, Menstrual cramps, Vaginal discharge
About the Author John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. His online course Balance Your Ayurvedic Diet in a Week provides tools for gracefully healing with Ayurveda to thousands. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. |
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