CUMIN

Description

Herbaceous plant belonging to the apiaceae family (formerly umbelliferae) whose seeds are used as a spice. It is an annual plant, between 60-90 cm high, the leaves are long and thin and the flowers are small, white or pink, grouped in umbels. The seeds (fruits) are fusiform, with a bitter taste and a strong, sweet smell.

Part used

The fruits.

Active principles

• Essential oil (2-4%) rich in cuminic aldehyde or cuminal (25-35%) and safranal. In smaller proportion is found pinene and terpineol.
• Cuminosides: sesquiterpene lactone glycosides.
• Flavonoids: luteolin and apigenin derivatives.
• Others: sterols, tannins, resins and gums.

Pharmacological action

• Eupeptic, carminative.
• Spasmolytic.
• Anthelmintic and intestinal antiseptic.
• Galactogen.
• Emmenagogue (estrogenic action).
• Slightly hypoglycemic.

Indications

• Dyspepsia.
• Meteorism and flatulence.
• Gastrointestinal spasms.
• Amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea.
• Gastroenteritis.
• Adjuvant in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy and lactation.
• History of estrogen-dependent tumors.

Precautions

No special precautions at recommended doses.

Drug interactions

None have been described.

Side effects

At recommended doses no side effects are expected.

Bibliographic references

-.Monografía de la SEFIT (Sociedad Española de Fitoterapia).

-.Fitoterapia aplicada. J.B. Peris, G. Stübing, B. Vanaclocha. M.I. Colegio Oficial de Farmacéuticos de Valencia.

-.Ali Esmail Al-Snafi. The Pharmacological activities of Cuminum cyminum. A review. IOSR Journal Of Pharmacy. Volume 6, Issue 6 Version. 2 (June 2016), PP. 46-65.

-.Neetu Singh et al. A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical research of dietary spice Cuminum cyminum L. Phytotherapy Research, volume 35, Issue 8, pag. 5007-5030.

-. Rudra Pratap Singh, Gangadharappa H.V., Mruthunjaya K. Cuminum cyminum. A popular spice. An updated review. Pharmacogn J 2017; 7; 9(3):292-301.