Did you know cumin and parsley were related? I didn’t! I keep it stocked in my pantry to make chili and curry dishes and never thought once about where it came from. It is used widely in Middle Eastern, Turkish, African, Asian and Mexican cuisines. It is grown for it’s seeds although I must say, I have always used ground.
Like many spices, cumin has been used medicinally for centuries. It has been used to treat stomach ailments, nausea and as a diuretic. Further research has also shown a benefit for enhancing insulin sensitivity, important for diabetics.
Cumin is widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India for the treatment of dyspepsia and diarrhea. It is an astringent herb that is recognized as an appetite stimulant, and helps control flatulence. Cumin has antispasmodic activity and helps with minor digestive problems. Cumin seeds are noted to be rich in important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc, as well as some of the B vitamins. Cumin also has the ability to enhance insulin sensitivity. In a limited number of studies, cumin seeds have been reported to be hypoglycemic. Cuminaldehyde, found in cumin seeds, has an inhibitory activity towards glucose metabolism and shows promise as an anti-diabetic agent.
Cumin was seen to normalize blood glucose levels when fed to diabetic rats for 6 weeks. It also produced a significant reduction in the blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Cumin is being tested further to see whether its blood glucose lowering properties (similar to the action of an oral hypoglycemic drug) is useful for managing diabetes in humans. According to Winston Craig, MPH, PhD, RD.
In all my research about the health qualities of cumin and why I should get a regular dose in my food I found the most interesting to be from James A Duke, Ph.D. Why? Well, girls, if you could naturally increase the size of your bosom, would you? Many of us would! Well, according to Duke, cumin has been shown to increase the number of mammary cells in laboratory animals. Although the effect on human’s is unknown, mammals tend to have similar reactions to compounds with mammary effects. So, I may be using it a bit more liberally in my cooking…. how about you? Cumin also has anti bacterial properties – 11 natural chemicals so you may use it to kill bacteria that cause body odor. Now, I am not suggesting that you rub some ground cumin under your arms (it might get on your clothes) but you could make a tea of cumin and other BO fighting herbs and after soaking a cloth in the tea apply it as a compress under your arm. Or you could add it to your bath ritual. And finally, Duke and a fellow colleague from the US Department of Agriculture, Stephen Beckstrom-Sternberb, Ph.D. discovered three pain-relieving compounds, seven that are anti-inflammatory and four that combat swelling. So if you are suffering from pain and swelling, spice up your food with more cumin!
A few more tidbits about cumin from historical references…..Romans and Greeks drank cumin in tea form as they thought it would support a pale complexion (not exactly popular today but obviously was once considered ideal). Cumin was thought to keep chickens from wandering away, was used to show happiness on newlyweds, and kept on the table, like black pepper, as a seasoning to prepared foods.
Cumin seeds must be toasted, otherwise, they have an earthy, sour unpleasant smell. The seeds are usually ground to be added to soups, stews, meats, vegetables and grains. Left whole, the seeds are added to cheeses, drinks, liqueurs, marinades, brines and pickling solutions. Cumin has a very strong flavor and needs to be used carefully when cooking as it can easily overwhelm a delicate flavor.
I am working on a spice rub for our Hot and Spicy Valentine’s day party and it includes cumin. I think I will have another serving for dinner tonight….
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