Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Cumin known as Svetajiraka or Ajaji in Ayurveda consists of the dried ripe fruits of Cuminum cyminum. It possesses a Pungent taste and post digestive effect with Hot potency and Light Dry and Sharp qualities. It acts as a powerful digestive stimulant Dipana and digestive agent Pachana that pacifies Kapha and Vata doshas. It is a specific remedy for Agnimandya or digestive impairment Atisara or diarrhea and Krmiroga or worm infestations. It acts as an absorbent Grahi useful for malabsorption. It is the main ingredient in Jirakadyarista used for postpartum disorders Sutika Roga to cleanse the uterus and improve lactation. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends a dosage of 1 to 3 grams of the powder often taken to aid digestion.
Cumin, known in Ayurveda as Śvetajīraka (White Cumin) or Ajājī, consists of the dried ripe fruits of Cuminum cyminum. It is one of the most widely used spices in the Indian kitchen and a crucial medicinal herb in Ayurveda. It is highly valued for its ability to kindle the digestive fire (Agni), purify the uterus after delivery, and manage digestive disorders like diarrhea and bloating.
Cumin is a glabrous, annual herb that grows 30–90 cm high. It is extensively cultivated in the plains of India. The medicinal part is the fruit (often called the seed), which is brown with light-coloured ridges. In Ayurveda, it is considered a primary herb for digestive health (Dīpana and Pācana) and is a key ingredient in postpartum care formulations to cleanse the uterus and improve lactation.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, White Cumin possesses the following qualities:
Cumin is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:
The recommended dosage according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is:
Cumin is generally safe and is a staple dietary ingredient. It is a key component of many safe and widely used formulations like Hingvādi Cūrṇa and Jīrakādyariṣṭa.
• WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Safety and medicinal plant standards
https://apps.who.int/iris
• ICMR – Quality Standards of Indian Medicinal Plants
https://main.icmr.nic.in/content/quality-standards-indian-medicinal-plants
• Bettaieb I. et al. Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.): A comprehensive review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22654419/
• Allahghadri T. et al. Antimicrobial property, antioxidant capacity, and cytotoxicity of essential oil from cumin. Food and Chemical Toxicology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21130865/
• Srinivasan K. Cumin and its bioactive components: Role in digestive and metabolic health. Food Reviews International.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22868109/
• Jafari S. et al. The effect of cumin supplementation on metabolic parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28688537/
** **Q. Can it be taken daily?
Yes, it is commonly used as a spice in daily cooking to aid digestion and prevent gas.
Q. When should it be taken?
It is often taken with food or buttermilk to treat digestive issues. Roasted cumin powder (Bhṛṣṭa Jīraka Cūrṇa) is frequently used as a vehicle (Anupāna) for other medicines to treat diarrhea and malabsorption.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes. Powdered cumin can be taken with warm water. It is also famously taken with Buttermilk (Takra) for digestive disorders like piles and diarrhea.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
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Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Cumin known as Svetajiraka or Ajaji in Ayurveda consists of the dried ripe fruits of Cuminum cyminum. It possesses a Pungent taste and post digestive effect with Hot potency and Light Dry and Sharp qualities. It acts as a powerful digestive stimulant Dipana and digestive agent Pachana that pacifies Kapha and Vata doshas. It is a specific remedy for Agnimandya or digestive impairment Atisara or diarrhea and Krmiroga or worm infestations. It acts as an absorbent Grahi useful for malabsorption. It is the main ingredient in Jirakadyarista used for postpartum disorders Sutika Roga to cleanse the uterus and improve lactation. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends a dosage of 1 to 3 grams of the powder often taken to aid digestion.
Cumin, known in Ayurveda as Śvetajīraka (White Cumin) or Ajājī, consists of the dried ripe fruits of Cuminum cyminum. It is one of the most widely used spices in the Indian kitchen and a crucial medicinal herb in Ayurveda. It is highly valued for its ability to kindle the digestive fire (Agni), purify the uterus after delivery, and manage digestive disorders like diarrhea and bloating.
Cumin is a glabrous, annual herb that grows 30–90 cm high. It is extensively cultivated in the plains of India. The medicinal part is the fruit (often called the seed), which is brown with light-coloured ridges. In Ayurveda, it is considered a primary herb for digestive health (Dīpana and Pācana) and is a key ingredient in postpartum care formulations to cleanse the uterus and improve lactation.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, White Cumin possesses the following qualities:
Cumin is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:
The recommended dosage according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is:
Cumin is generally safe and is a staple dietary ingredient. It is a key component of many safe and widely used formulations like Hingvādi Cūrṇa and Jīrakādyariṣṭa.
• WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Safety and medicinal plant standards
https://apps.who.int/iris
• ICMR – Quality Standards of Indian Medicinal Plants
https://main.icmr.nic.in/content/quality-standards-indian-medicinal-plants
• Bettaieb I. et al. Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.): A comprehensive review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22654419/
• Allahghadri T. et al. Antimicrobial property, antioxidant capacity, and cytotoxicity of essential oil from cumin. Food and Chemical Toxicology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21130865/
• Srinivasan K. Cumin and its bioactive components: Role in digestive and metabolic health. Food Reviews International.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22868109/
• Jafari S. et al. The effect of cumin supplementation on metabolic parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28688537/
** **Q. Can it be taken daily?
Yes, it is commonly used as a spice in daily cooking to aid digestion and prevent gas.
Q. When should it be taken?
It is often taken with food or buttermilk to treat digestive issues. Roasted cumin powder (Bhṛṣṭa Jīraka Cūrṇa) is frequently used as a vehicle (Anupāna) for other medicines to treat diarrhea and malabsorption.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes. Powdered cumin can be taken with warm water. It is also famously taken with Buttermilk (Takra) for digestive disorders like piles and diarrhea.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
Want to know more?
Have issue with the content?
Report Problem