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AYURVEDIC FOODS

CUMIN

Health Benefits & Uses

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How Can This Ayurvedic Food Make You Feel Great?

AYURVEDIC ANALYSIS

If you've ever asked, "why does this taste so good?" you've probably encountered cumin. Whether a tasty curry, a mixed pickle, or a helping of beans, cumin is the flavor that highlights delicious meals worldwide, from North Africa to Cuba. It is essential not just because of its unmistakable pungent flavor, but because the benefits of the spice go on and on, just like its versatility in recipes. Only black pepper is a more popular spice worldwide. Cumin is native to Syria, where it thrives in hot and arid conditions. Cumin imparts the qualities of its native land into food, bringing the dry warmth of a sunny desert day.

Cumin & Digestion

Cumin 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 Effects

Cumin 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 Cleanser

Bitter 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 Relaxant

Additionally, 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.

Examples

Are 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 CUMIN

Appreciated since ancient times, cumin's aroma has wafted through kitchens since at least the second millennium BC, even flavoring breads and soups mentioned in the Bible. The highly valued spice was a currency to pay tithes to priests. The ancient Egyptians used cumin in their cooking, and also as an ingredient to mummify the pharaohs, testifying to its use as an antimicrobial. Popular throughout the Middle Ages, cumin was regarded as a sign of love and devotion; wives sent their husbands off to war with a loaf of cumin-spiced bread. Cumin is a member of the carrot family like celery, and parsley.

BUYING & PREPARATION

When buying cumin, favor the whole seeds. You can grind the seeds moments before adding to a recipe, using a coffee grinder, mortar and pestle, or other preferred spice grinder. Freshly ground spices have more prana or vital life force, thus more medicinal action as well as flavor. Once a seed is ground, it dies, and the prana diminishes. The volatile essential oils evaporate quickly along with the flavor and medicinal effects. Grinding just before use preserves cumins highly regarded flavor and health benefits.

COOKING CUMIN

Browse Recipes Cumin knows no borders. In Morocco, salt and cumin replace salt and black pepper on most kitchen tables. Texans turn to cumin to round out a prize-winning chili. Cumin is as essential to Middle Eastern baba ghanoush as tahini and lemon juice. Sure, many recognize the flavor of cumin in rich Mexican sauces, but in Chinese food? Yes, it appears even in the cuisine of Northeast China, spicing both lamb and fish.

Cumin'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.

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WHY EAT AN AYURVEDIC DIET?

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. Ayurveda shows you your specific body type’s needs and what should be favored in your Ayurvedic 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.

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When I Eat Cumin:

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I FEEL BETTER I FEEL WORSE I FEEL THE SAME

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Is Cumin Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether Cumin is a good fit for your body type. Time to complete: approximately 1 minute.

SERVING SIZE: 1/8 tsp

SPECIES: Cuminum cyminum

FAMILY: Apiaceae

EAT IN: SPRING

AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL BIOCHARACTERISTICS

What is the biocharacteristic theory of medicine?

INCREASES

Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas)

Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.

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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter is disagreeable and stimulating rejection, and a strong taste often associated with black coffee, dark chocolate, and most salad greens.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.

The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. Catabolic people tend to be easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic people tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic people are heavy, stable and grounded, but if they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion.

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PACIFIES	AGGRAVATES

HAS THE FOLLOWING

Effect:

Prana

PRANA

Prana is the Sanskrit word for vital life energy, similar to Qi in Chinese Medicine. Many herbs stimulate your energy, or improve the flow of prana through your body. Generally, prana needs to be increased in spring after a sleepy winter.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PRANA

Sattvic

SATTVIC

Sattvic foods promote awareness and a refreshed mind by nourishing the body without taxing digestion. Sattvic foods do not stimulate desire or nervous energy. They create clarity instead of drowsiness or heaviness.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SATTVIC

Alkalizing

ALKALIZING

An herb or food that makes the urine more alkaline (higher pH). This herbal action can be helpful for a number of inflammatory conditions.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ALKALIZING

Type:
Spices
Element:

Air

AIR

Resembles air (vayu) in quality - highly mobile, drying, light, cold, subtle, rough.

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Fire

FIRE

Resembles fire (tejas) in quality - hot, sharp, penetrating, light, dry.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FIRE

Subtaste:

Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AROMATIC

Color:
Brown
Family:
Apiaceae

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Experiences are Personal

Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

Here are the herbal actions of Cumin:

Digestion:

Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CARMINATIVE

Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DIGESTIVE

Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPLEEN-TONIC

Cleanse & Detox:

Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BURNS-TOXINS

Detoxicant

DETOXICANT

An herb that eliminates or metabolizes toxins from the body.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DETOXICANT

Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Relieves or reduces feelings of pain without eliminating sensation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANALGESIC

Respiratory-Health:

Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

An herb that reduces mucus congestion in the sinus or lungs by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DECONGESTANT

Immune System:

Anthelminthic

ANTHELMINTHIC

Kills worms

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANTHELMINTHIC

Antimicrobial

ANTIMICROBIAL

An 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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANTIMICROBIAL

Kidney & Urinary:

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs 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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DIURETIC

Reproductive Health:

Galactagogue

GALACTAGOGUE

Increases production of breast milk.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GALACTAGOGUE

Strength, Muscle Health:

Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, hear palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANTISPASMODIC

Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.

Compare Cumin with these Foods

Compare the following foods with Cumin:

Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

Antimicrobial, Carminative, Digestive, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Diuretic, Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Cardamom

Cardamom has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Carminative, Digestive, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Diuretic, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Nigella (black cumin)

Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common

Burns-toxins, Digestive, Spleen-tonic, Analgesic, Carminative, Diuretic, Antispasmodic, Detoxicant, Galactagogue

LEARN MORE

Fennel Seeds

Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

Diuretic, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Galactagogue, Carminative, Digestive, Spleen-tonic, Antispasmodic, Decongestant

LEARN MORE

Dill

Dill has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Spleen-tonic, Antimicrobial, Carminative, Diuretic, Antispasmodic, Detoxicant, Galactagogue, Burns-toxins

LEARN MORE

Basil

Basil has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Diuretic, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Galactagogue, Carminative, Digestive, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Cloves

Cloves has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Detoxicant, Anthelminthic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Antimicrobial, Carminative, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Carminative, Digestive, Antimicrobial, Decongestant, Galactagogue, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Thyme (fresh)

Thyme (fresh) has these Actions in Common

Antimicrobial, Decongestant, Spleen-tonic, Antispasmodic, Detoxicant, Anthelminthic, Burns-toxins, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Coriander Seed

Coriander Seed has these Actions in Common

Anthelminthic, Carminative, Diuretic, Antispasmodic, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Compare Cumin with these Products

Compare the following products with Cumin:

Cumin, Coriander, Fennel Tea

Cumin, Coriander, Fennel Tea has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Digestive, Diuretic, Galactagogue, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Mugwort

Mugwort has these Actions in Common

Anthelminthic, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Detoxicant, Digestive, Diuretic, Analgesic

LEARN MORE

Haritaki

Haritaki has these Actions in Common

Diuretic, Anthelminthic, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Detoxicant, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Echinacea

Echinacea has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Pushkaramoola

Pushkaramoola has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Burns-toxins, Carminative, Digestive, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal has these Actions in Common

Carminative, Digestive, Diuretic, Analgesic, Antispasmodic

LEARN MORE

Deodar (devadaru)

Deodar (devadaru) has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Decongestant, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Yarrow

Yarrow has these Actions in Common

Detoxicant, Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Carminative

LEARN MORE

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Detoxicant, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Pippali

Pippali has these Actions in Common

Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Digestive, Galactagogue

LEARN MORE

Vidanga

Vidanga has these Actions in Common

Antimicrobial, Detoxicant, Diuretic, Anthelminthic

LEARN MORE

Cumin Research & Clinical Trials

In each clinical research trial below, students from the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the pharmacological effects. See other clinical research trials for diet & herbs at Joyful Belly.