Cumin is one such spice that forms an integral part of various dishes in the Indian cuisine. Cumin or ‘Jeera’ in Hindi, ‘Jilakara’ in Telgu, ‘Jeeragam’ in Tamil, ‘Jeerakam’ in Malayalam, ‘Jeerige’ in Kananda, ‘Jeeru’ in Gujarati, ‘Jeere’ in Marathi and ‘Jeerey’ in Bengali is a tiny seed of an annual plant in the parsely family, native to the Mediterranean.

Cumin seeds are generally available in three colours- amber, white and black.

Besides its culinary uses, this aromatic spice is known for its medical properties since ancient times. Being excellent source of iron, it aids in digestion, boosts the immune system and has anti carcinogenic properties. They are known for their healing qualities.

Skin Benefits Of Cumin:

Some of the cumin or jeera benefits in skincare are as follows.

1. Treatment of Boils:

Boils are outlet for the elimination of toxic substances and foreign matters such as microbes etc. Occurrence of boils indicates the accumulation of toxic substances in the body. Regular usage of cumin in your food helps in keeping your skin free from boils, rashes, pimples etc.

2. Treatment of Skin Disorders:

Cumin has a high content of vitamin E which keeps your skin healthy and glowing. Besides, the essential oils, cumin have disinfectant and anti-fungal properties which protect your skin from fungal and microbial infections..

3. Anti-Ageing Benefits:

Vitamin E present in cumin triggers the anti-ageing processes within the body, thus preventing pre mature ageing symptoms.

4. Cures Itchiness and Body Heat:

If you are suffering from body heat and skin itchiness, you can put some cumin seeds in boiled water. Once it is cooled, take a bath with that water.

5. Treatment of Burning Sensation:

Drinking cumin water can relieve the burning sensation of the palms and the soles.

• Add one teaspoon of cumin seeds to 4 litres of water and boil.
• Remove it from the heat and keep it covered.
• You can drink this water whenever you feel thirsty as well as after your meals.
• It is advisable to drink it warm in order to reap greater benefits.

6. Cumin Face Pack for Glowing Skin:

You can prepare a face pack by mixing finely ground turmeric and cumin in the ratio 3: 1.

• In order to prepare a peel off face mask, you can use honey instead of water to mix both the ingredients.
• Apply this on your face and wait till it dries up.
• Wash off.
• This will make your skin smooth and glowing.
• Honey can soothe the inflamed tissue and prevents the spices from becoming too dry.
• If you have sunburns or acne prone or blotchy skin, you can mix plain organic yoghurt with the spices.
• Apply some jojoba oil after washing off your face.

Hair Benefits of Cumin:

Our hair is composed of many nutrients such as protein, fat, water and carbohydrates. These nutrients are required to enable proper growth of hair. Black cumin contains more than 100 nutrients and vitamins to replenish your hair, thus providing you with a healthy mane. Benefits of cumin for hair are surplus, let’s have a look at few of them:

7. Treatment of Hair Loss:

Black cumin is known to combat thinning of hair, baldness and falling hair.

• You can mix equal quantities of black cumin oil and olive oil.
• After a bath, apply this on your hair or on the bald portion of your head.
• This will promote hair growth as well as treat hair loss.
• You can also consume black cumin oil in the form of capsules for a few months.

8. Long and Shiny Hair:

Black cumin seeds can provide you with those long and lustrous tresses.

• Boil 1.5 tablespoons of black cumin seeds in ¾ cup of water for 10 minutes.
• When the mixture cools down, use a strainer to separate the seeds from the water.
• Add a raw egg yolk to the black cumin water and mix well to get a homogeneous creamy solution.
• If you want, you can add a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil to the mixture.
• Massage it on your scalp and allow it to stay for 30 minutes to an hour.
• Wash off with water.
• This should be done every week or every alternate week for best results.

9. Treatment of Dandruff:

Oil extract from cumin is a great stimulant, carminative, antioxidant and diuretic. It is often used for massage in aromatherapy and scalp treatments to get rid of dandruff.

Health Benefits Of Cumin:

Let’s have a look at the health benefits of cumin seeds:

10. For Blood Levels:

Cumin helps to lower blood sugar levels and thus helps in maintaining proper blood content levels in the body. This is a great boon for people suffering from Diabetes.

11. For Iron:

Cumin seeds are very rich in iron, which makes it an essential natural health ingredient. This iron content helps to treat anaemia.

12. Fights Asthma:

Cumin seeds contain Thymoquinone, which reduces inflammatory processes and other mediators that cause asthma. They also act as a bronchodilator.

13. Immunity:

This is achieved by its anti-oxidant characteristics that fight against impurities and free radicals. This helps in making increasing the body’s immunity.

14. Anaemia:

Cumin seeds are rich in iron which is necessary for the formation of haemoglobin in the blood. Consuming cumin seeds will keep one protected from anaemia.

15. Menstrual Cycle:

Cumin is healthy for women of all age groups and is known to influence a healthy menstrual cycle.

16. Cancer:

Cumin is helpful in treating colon and breast cancer.

17. Cold and Respiration:

Cumin is rich in vitamin C and has anti-fungal properties. These help to cure cold and other respiratory problems. Cumin seeds are also suggested for kidney health.

18. Metabolism:

Good metabolism process helps to keep all the other body processes in check. Iron present in cumin helps to properly maintain our metabolic activity.

19. Digestion:

Enzymes present in cumin help to breakdown foods and thus aid in digestion.