21 Health Benefits of cumin/jeera for skin, hair and health
Health benefits of cumin are very well known to the people of countries like India and Pakistan where cumin seeds are cultivated and from ages. Its benefits can be seen over out skin, hair and overall health. The scientific name of cumin is Cuminum cyminum.
What is Cumin/Jeera?
Some people from other parts of the world are not aware of what is cumin or jeera. Cumin is produced from the dried seeds of Cuminum cyminum which belong to the Parsley family. But it resembles the seeds belonging to Umbelliferae families like caraway seeds and dill.
Cumin seeds have many ridges with oil canals in them, about 8 ridges in total. Cumin seeds have been used in the cuisines of many countries like India, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco and Iran. Later on, people all over the world have started cultivating this amazing plant after realizing the health benefits of cumin.
Even today, the cultivation of Cumin seeds is mainly limited to Asian and African countries and its exported to other countries from here. [1] They have a unique flavor which makes them very popular amongst the people. The flavor and smell of cumin seeds are mainly due to its essential oil content containing substances like cuminaldehyde and cuminic alcohol.
Cumin seeds Nutrition facts:
Cumin seeds have many essential oils like cuminaldehyde and many types of pyrazines which are highly beneficial for our health. It is rich in many antioxidant substances like Carotene, lutein, Zea-xanthin, crypto-xanthin.
Cumin seeds rich in various vitamins and minerals required by our body. They are rich in vitamin A, C, E and K. They are also rich in many B-complex vitamins like vitamin B1 or thiamine, Vitamin B2 or riboflavin, vitamin B3 or Niacin, Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine.
They also contain many essential minerals required by our body like Magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc, calcium, potassium and copper. They have absolutely no cholesterol at all. [2]
Health benefits of cumin seeds/Jeera:
1. Health benefits of cumin for cancer prevention:
Cumin seeds help in preventing various cancers like colon cancer, breast cancer, stomach and liver cancers. The cancer prevention ability of cumin seeds is mainly due to its antioxidant properties. Cumin seeds also contain many substances which are effective in cancer prevention like Thymoquinone and thymol.
A study conducted recently has proved that cumin seeds are effective in preventing estrogen-mediated breast cancer mainly due to their free radical scavenging abilities. Cumin seeds also inhibit the activity of certain enzymes which are necessary for estrogen metabolism thereby curtailing the growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. [3]
2. Promotes digestion:
Cumin seeds contain many substances which enhance our digestion process and help us get rid of indigestion issues. A study which was conducted recently has shown that cumin seeds along with some other spices like coriander, turmeric enhance the digestion due to their ability to stimulate the secretion of bile juice from the liver and pancreatic enzymes like Lipase from the pancreas. [4] Both bile juice and pancreatic enzymes help in facilitating proper digestion.
3. Prevents anemia:
Cumin seeds are rich in iron and they prevent anemia. Iron is absolutely essential for the formation of hemoglobin in the body. Deficiency of iron leads to a deficiency of hemoglobin which is called anemia. Anemia causes many symptoms like fatigue or extreme tiredness, pale skin, sometimes even short of breath or difficulty in breathing.
4. Health benefits of cumin seeds for piles or hemorrhoids:
Many people suffer from constipation. Constipation puts a lot of pressure on the anal veins leading to the development of hemorrhoids or piles. Cumin seeds contain a lot of fiber which helps in adding bulk to the stool facilitating its easy passage.
If you are suffering from constipation or piles/hemorrhoids, include cumin seeds in your daily diet. It will help in controlling the symptoms of constipation. Cumin seeds are an excellent laxative.
5. Reduces blood pressure:
Health benefits of Cumin seeds in controlling hypertension ae noticeable. A study conducted by the scientists has proved that cumin seeds were very effective in controlling blood pressure, mainly the systolic blood pressure.
The anti-hypertensive action of cumin seeds is mainly due to its effect in reducing inflammation, oxidative stress and controlling the function of the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels. [5]
6. Health benefits of cumin seeds for insomnia:
Cumin seeds have a capability to relax our brain. Certain components of cumin seeds like essential oils relieve stress and anxiety. They help in inducing sleep. Stress is the main reason behind insomnia. People who are stressed have racing thoughts and can’t sleep.
7. Cumin seeds for diabetes:
Cumin seeds have hypoglycemic properties. They help in regulating the blood sugar levels in people suffering from diabetes. According to a study, a substance called Myrtenal reduces the blood sugar levels in people by stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas. [6] In addition to its effects on lowering blood glucose levels, cumin seeds also reduce the level of harmful fats or lipids in the body.
The substances like cuminal and cuminaldehyde present in cumin seeds have shown to be insulinotropic and they increase the secretion of insulin from the pancreas which controls blood sugar levels. [7] According to another study, cumin seeds also enhance the immunity of people suffering from diabetes. [8]
8. Health benefits of cumin seeds on cognitive functions:
Cumin seeds are known to play a vital role n promoting the cognitive functions of a person. They enhance the blood supply to the brain by enabling the production of hemoglobin due to their high iron content. They also have potent antioxidant properties which are also very beneficial for the brain.
People using cumin seeds regularly don’t develop neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease easily.
9. Benefits of cumin seeds for hair:
Cumin seeds can make our hair healthy, long and strong. They are rich in many vital vitamins and minerals which make our hair healthy. You can add black cumin oil or cumin oil to any of your favorite hair oils and use it to massage your scalp and hair.
Then leave it for some time and then rinse off your hair with shampoo. It stimulates hair growth and also helps you to get rid of dandruff. You can also eat cumin seeds directly or boil cumin seeds in water, filter the water, add honey to it and drink it.
10. Treats common cold:
Common cold or flu is very common in the monsoon season. It is highly contagious and spreads from one person to another. People suffer from a cough, sore throat, runny nose and sometimes fever too. Cumin seeds are rich in vitamin C which boosts your immune system.
If your immune system is healthy, it can fight any sort of infection. Generally, any antibiotics are not prescribed for the common cold. It heals mainly based on our immunity levels. People with good immunity tend to recover fast from common cold. You can boil some water with cumin seeds or add some cumin powder to hot water and drink it to get quick relief from common cold.
11. Helps people with Asthma:
Cumin seeds contain many substances, for example, Thymoquinone which has powerful anti-inflammatory action. It reduces the inflammation or swelling of our airways like bronchi. It also helps in dilating our bronchi. The anti-inflammatory action of cumin seeds coupled with bronchodilatory action makes it a perfect natural supplement for asthmatic people.
12. Cumin seeds act as antioxidants:
Cumin seeds contain a plethora of antioxidant substances. They contain vitamins A, C, and E which are all anti-oxidant vitamins. They also contain substances like carotene, zeaxanthin which also have good antioxidant abilities.
They scavenge the free radicals in the body and detoxify our body. This helps in preventing aging and various heart diseases and also cancers.
13. Regulates Menstrual cycle:
Cumin seeds are known to regulate the menstrual cycle in women. They help in alleviating many symptoms of menses in women and help the women have a problem free menstrual cycle.
14. Good for breastfeeding mothers:
Many women are apprehensive about whether to take cumin seeds in breastfeeding. But they are absolutely safe and healthy to take during breastfeeding. Cumin seeds contain a substance called Thymol which enhances the secretion of breast milk. Cumin seeds also contain calcium which helps in the formation of breast milk.
15. Health benefits of cumin seeds for weight loss:
Cumin seeds are known to boost the metabolism which enables a fast and effective weight loss. Cumin seeds eliminate unnecessary fat in the body which leads to many diseases. To use cumin seeds for weight loss, just boil some water. Add a spoon of cumin seeds to it. Then steep for some time. Filter the cumin seed water and add some honey and lemon juice to it. Drink this water warm.
The cumin seeds water along with honey and lemon is a sure solution to losing weight quickly. Drink this juice at least 2 to 3 times a day to see results fast. You can also sprinkle cumin seed powder over various foods like salads, curd or yogurt, curries, gravies, etc.
16. Prevents aging:
Cumin seeds contain many antioxidants that fight free radicals. Free radicals lead to premature aging or aging at an early age. Aging brings with it all the skin maladies like wrinkles, age spots, and fine lines. Intake of cumin seeds regularly helps in getting rid of wrinkles, fine lines and age spots.
17. Health benefits of Cumin seeds on bones:
Cumin seeds are rich in many minerals including calcium. Calcium is necessary for the formation of strong bones. Cumin extracts are also known to increase the bone mineral density. They help in the prevention of conditions like osteoporosis.
18. Protects the liver:
Cumin seeds flush put the toxins from our body which damage our body parts and they detoxify our body. They protect the liver from many kinds of toxins including ethanol or alcohol. So, if you drink alcohol regularly, make sure to include cumin seeds in your diet.
19. Benefits of cumin seeds for skin:
Cumin seeds contain many antioxidants which prevent aging. They contain vitamin E which makes our skin healthy and glowing. Cumin seeds have proven benefits in helping people suffering from various skin ailments or skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
Cumin seeds have antibacterial properties. So, they kill harmful bacteria on our skin and prevent ay skin rashes like pimples and boils. They can also remove heat from your body and cool down your body. Cumin seed powder is used as a part of face masks or face pack to improve the skin health and get a glowing face.
20. Improves sexual function:
Many men suffer from conditions like erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation and oligospermia or low levels of sperms. Cumin seeds help in treating all these conditions to some extent. They also help in the production of sperms. If you drink jeera water or cumin seed water regularly, you will improve your sexual performance dramatically.
21. Health benefits of cumin seeds for pregnant women:
Cumin seeds are very good for the pregnant mothers also. They are rich inc calcium and iron which help in the proper formation of bones and hemoglobin I the baby. They also reduce the annoying symptom of pregnancy like nausea, vomiting ad constipation. If you are pregnant, just add 1 spoon of jeera or cumin seed powder, 1 spoon of honey to milk and drink t every day for maximum benefits.
Other names of cumin:
English: Cumin
Hindi: Jeera
Telugu: Jilakara
Tamil: Jeeragam
Kannada: Jeerige
Malayalam: Jeerakam
Bengali: Jeeray
Marathi: Jeere
Gujarathi: Jeeru
You have seen all the health benefits of cumin seeds. Start including it in your daily diet or just drink cumin seed water or jeera water daily. It will drastically improve your health.
