Cumin is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum, a member of the parsley family. The cumin plant grows to 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall and is harvested by hand. It is an annual herbaceous plant, with a slender, glabrous, branched stem that is 20–30 cm (8–12 in) tall and has a diameter of 3–5 cm ( 1 1⁄4–2 in). Each branch has two to three sub-branches. All the branches attain the same height, therefore the plant has a uniform canopy. The stem is coloured grey or dark green.

The leaves are 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long, pinnate or bipinnate, with thread-like leaflets. The flowers are small, white or pink, and borne in umbels. Each umbel has five to seven umbellts. The fruit is a lateral fusiform or ovoid achene 4–5 mm ( 1⁄6– 1⁄5 in) long, containing two mericarps with a single seed. Cumin seeds have eight ridges with oil canals. They resemble caraway seeds, being oblong in shape, longitudinally ridged, and yellow-brown in colour, like other members of the Umbelliferae family such as caraway, parsley, and dill.

Benefit 1 : To improve digestion

Cumin seeds are known to strengthen a sluggish digestive system. Due to the thymol compound and other important oils in cumin seeds, they help in stimulating salivary glands and, thus, aid digestion. So, if you are suffering from indigestion, try drinking jeera tea three times a day.

Recipe: Take 1 cup of water and add 1 tbsp of cumin seeds to it. Bring it to a boil. Strain and have it three times a day.

Benefit 2: To beat constipation

Cumin seeds have high fibre content, which boost the activity of gastrointestinal tract. This in turn stimulates enzyme secretion. That is why cumin seeds are used as a natural laxative. Due to this property, cumin seeds are capable of healing severe digestive disorders, like piles.

Recipe: To get rid of constipation, roast 1 tbsp of cumin seeds till they turn deep brown and grind them into a fine powder. Then mix the powder with water and honey and consume it on an empty stomach everyday.

Cumin honey recipe58:00Cumin honey recipe

Benefit 3: To relieve asthma and cold

Due to their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, cumin seeds are an awesome home remedy for cold and cough. The compounds in cumin seeds help to soothe inflamed muscles and boost immunity to fight infections.

Recipe: Add 1 tbsp of cumin seeds to 1 glass of water. Bring it to a boil. Also add some chopped ginger to this. Boil properly. Strain and have this twice or thrice a day.

Jeera tea58:00Jeera tea

Benefit 4: For pregnant women

The properties of cumin seeds help in relieving constipation and improving digestion in pregnant women. The seeds also help in dealing with pregnancy symptoms like nausea and constipation. Along with aiding in better delivery, they also enhance lactation.

Recipe: Take a glass of warm milk and add half tbsp cumin powder and 1 tbsp honey to it. Mix well. Have it everyday.

For pregnant women58:00For pregnant women

Benefit 5: To deal with insomnia

Cumin seeds can help you if you are not able to sleep well. They contain a compound called melatonin, which when consumed with mashed bananas, increases the production of chemicals that induce sleep.

Recipe: Mix half tbsp of cumin powder with 1 tbsp of mashed banana. Have this paste before sleeping. This will help you have a good sleep.

Cumin banana paste00:50Cumin banana paste

Benefit 6: For glowing skin

A face pack containing honey and cumin seeds will make your skin glowy and smooth. Honey soothes inflamed tissues and this spice will prevent the skin from becoming too dry. Apply some jojoba oil after washing it off your face.

Recipe: To prepare this mask, mix one by four tbsp of turmeric powder, half tbsp of cumin powder and 1 tbsp of honey. After you apply this face mask, let it dry for 10 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. You can apply this face pack twice or thrice a week.

Face pack58:00Face pack

Benefit 7: For long and shiny hair

Cumin can also help you get long and lustrous tresses.

Recipe: For making this, take 150-200 ml of water (3/4 a glass), 1 tbsp cumin powder and 1 egg yolk. Mix them together and form a smooth paste. Apply it on hair and let it dry. Wash it off with water. You can do this once in a week or once in every two weeks.