Cumin Materia Medica

Cumin was once used in European herbal medicine, but has now been largely replaced in this reference by caraway seed, which Europeans find to have a more agreeable flavor. It is still widely used in Ayurvedic medicine and veterinary medicine in India.

Cumin seed is analgesic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactogen (stimulates production of breast milk) and stimulant and possesses medicinal properties similar to those of other aromatic fruits of umbelliferous plants such as caraway, dill and fennel. It is most commonly used to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as colic, diarrhea (including bloody diarrhea and chronic diarrhea), flatulence and stomach derangement. It is also used to treat eye diseases, fatigue, headache, insomnia, leprosy, prickly heat and rheumatic ailments.

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