Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Cumin Herb

Cuminum cyminum

Cumin Herb (Cuminum cyminum) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Cumin|Cumin herb (aerial parts) is less commonly used than seeds but has traditional applications. Bioavailability: Aerial parts of Cuminum cyminum contain lower essential oil content than seeds but higher chlorophyll and flavonoid content.

Key facts
Botanical nameCuminum cyminum
FamilyApiaceae · other entries in this family
OrderApiales
Also known asCumin Herb, CuminHerb
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3034775 · Wikidata Q132624 · NCBI Taxonomy 52462

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishCumin_Herb

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Swarasa (fresh juice), Churna (dried herb powder), Kashayam (decoction), Lepa (paste)

Standard Dosage: 5-10ml fresh juice; 2-4g dried herb powder twice daily; 30-50ml decoction. Cumin herb (aerial parts) is less commonly used than seeds but has traditional applications.

Bioavailability: Aerial parts of Cuminum cyminum contain lower essential oil content than seeds but higher chlorophyll and flavonoid content. Volatile compounds present in leaves differ from seed profile—more monoterpene hydrocarbons, fewer aldehydes. Flavonoid glycosides show moderate oral bioavailability (20-30%). Fresh juice provides best volatile bioavailability. Limited modern pharmacokinetic data on aerial parts specifically.

Optimal Timing: With meals for digestive support; fresh juice before meals; decoction between meals

Standardized Extract: Herb extract standardized to total flavonoids NLT 3%; total phenolics NLT 5%. Fresh juice lyophilisate preferred for maximum activity.

Shelf Life: 3-5 days (fresh herb); 18 months (dried herb powder); 2 years (capsule)

Storage: Fresh herb refrigerated. Dried material in airtight, light-protected containers. Cool, dry conditions.

Marker Compounds: Apigenin, Luteolin, Quercetin, Chlorogenic acid, Caffeic acid, Gamma-terpinene, Para-cymene, Chlorophyll a and b

Extraction Methods

  • Fresh herb juice extraction
  • Aqueous decoction of dried aerial parts
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50) for phenolic compounds
  • Steam distillation for herb essential oil (very low yield: 0.1-0.3%)

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Coriander leaves for digestive and cooling combinations
  • With Pudina (mint) for carminative formulations
  • With Tulsi for respiratory support
  • With Haridra for anti-inflammatory preparations

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses4

  1. Tavakoli-Rouzbehani OM, Faghfouri AH, Anbari M and others. 2022. Efficacy of Cuminum Cyminum supplementation on lipid profile and anthropometric parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trialsPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 34825421 · doi:10.1002/ptr.7327
  2. Tavakoli-Rouzbehani OM, Faghfouri AH, Anbari M and others. 2021. The effects of Cuminum cyminum on glycemic parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trialsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 34371114 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114510
  3. Karimian J, Farrokhzad A, Jalili C. 2021. The effect of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) supplementation on glycemic indices: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 33720457 · doi:10.1002/ptr.7075
  4. Hadi A, Mohammadi H, Hadi Z and others. 2018. Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is a safe approach for management of lipid parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 30088304 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6162

Other clinical studies and reviews6

  1. Singh N, Yadav SS, Kumar S and others. 2021. A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical research of dietary spice Cuminum cyminum LPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 33893678 · doi:10.1002/ptr.7133
  2. Khan AU, Akram M, Daniyal M and others. 2020. Awareness and current knowledge of epilepsyMetabolic brain disease. PMID 31605258 · doi:10.1007/s11011-019-00494-1
  3. Shakeri F, Ghorani V, Saadat S and others. 2019. The Stimulatory Effects of Medicinal Plants on β2-adrenoceptors of Tracheal Smooth MuscleIranian journal of allergy, asthma, and immunology. PMID 30848570
  4. Mnif S, Aifa S. 2015. Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) from traditional uses to potential biomedical applicationsChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 26010662 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.201400305
  5. Sowbhagya HB. 2013. Chemistry, technology, and nutraceutical functions of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L): an overviewCritical reviews in food science and nutrition. PMID 23035918 · doi:10.1080/10408398.2010.500223
  6. 2006. Cumin PMID 30000933

Laboratory and animal studies2

  1. Yang X, Chen Y, Liu W and others. 2024. Combined transcriptomics and metabolomics to analyse the response of Cuminum cyminum L. under Pb stressThe Science of the total environment. PMID 38453091 · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171497
  2. Tabarsa M, You S, Yelithao K and others. 2020. Isolation, structural elucidation and immuno-stimulatory properties of polysaccharides from Cuminum cyminumCarbohydrate polymers. PMID 31887877 · doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.115636

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Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.