Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Cumin

Cuminum cyminum

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Thymoquinone (trace) is well absorbed. Cumin enhances the activity of digestive enzymes (lipase, protease, amylase) improving overall nutrient bioavailability. Roasting enhances aroma but reduces cuminaldehyde content by 15-20%.

Key facts
Botanical nameCuminum cyminum
FamilyApiaceae · other entries in this family
OrderApiales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3034775 · Wikidata Q132624 · NCBI Taxonomy 52462

This entry and jeeraka describe the same drug, Cuminum cyminum, under different names. Both pages are kept because both names are in use; the other is treated as the primary record for citation.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishCumin

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Derived from constituent herbs (see individual herb profiles)
  • Standardized on primary bioactive markers

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (seed powder), Kashayam (decoction), Essential oil, Capsule, Tablet, Jeeraka Arishta, Roasted seed preparation

Standard Dosage: 3-6g seed powder; 500mg extract capsule; essential oil: 1-3 drops; as culinary spice: freely; Jeerakadyarishta: 15-30ml after meals

Bioavailability: Cuminaldehyde (primary volatile, 25-35% of oil) shows excellent oral bioavailability (>80%). Thymoquinone (trace) is well absorbed. Cumin enhances the activity of digestive enzymes (lipase, protease, amylase) improving overall nutrient bioavailability. Roasting enhances aroma but reduces cuminaldehyde content by 15-20%. Essential oil components are rapidly absorbed from the GI tract. Iron content in cumin (66mg/100g) has moderate bioavailability enhanced by native organic acids.

Optimal Timing: With meals or after meals for digestive support; Jeerakadyarishta after meals; roasted cumin with buttermilk after meals for digestive comfort

Standardized Extract: Essential oil standardized to cuminaldehyde NLT 25%; oleoresin with volatile oil NLT 12%. Seed extract standardized to total flavonoids NLT 2%.

Shelf Life: 3 years (whole seeds); 1 year (ground cumin); 3 years (essential oil); 5 years (Arishta)

Storage: Whole seeds in airtight containers (very stable). Ground cumin in airtight packaging—loses aroma rapidly. Essential oil in amber glass, cool storage. Keep away from light and moisture.

Marker Compounds: Cuminaldehyde, Gamma-terpinene, Beta-pinene, Para-cymene, Cuminol, Safranal, Thymoquinone (trace), Apigenin, Luteolin

Extraction Methods

  • Steam distillation for essential oil (yield 2-4%)
  • Hydrodistillation for complete volatile profile
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40) for flavonoid-rich extract
  • Supercritical CO2 for high-quality oleoresin
  • Cold infusion for mild digestive preparations
  • Traditional Arishta fermentation for Jeerakadyarishta

Synergistic Combinations

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.