Cumin: medicinal properties, contraindications and methods of application. Common caraway: medicinal properties and methods of application Caraway tea benefits

08.04.2018

Find out what distinguishes cumin from other famous herbs, check out its amazing medicinal properties and contraindications for use ..

Caraway is a dark brown, crescent-shaped seasoning with multiple ribs running along the surface, with a tangy sweet and slightly peppery aroma.

Caraway seeds are widespread in European and Mediterranean cuisine, and their complex aroma is suitable for both salty and sweet dishes. It is an essential ingredient in most traditional rye bread recipes.

Cumin seeds will be needed if you plan on making delicious sauerkraut, Polish sausage, or Tunisian harissa.

It can also be found in desserts, spirits, and as an ingredient in beauty products.

What does cumin and its seeds look like - photo

Caraway seeds are grayish-green or light brown fruits up to 6 mm in size with pronounced ribbing.

general description

The genus Caraway (Carum) includes more than 30 plant species that are common throughout the Northern Hemisphere. As a spice, only one is grown - Common caraway (Carum Carvi).

It belongs to the family Umbelliferae, or Celery, or Apiaceae, which also includes other well-known spices such as fennel, cumin, anise and dill.

It is a short (50-60 cm) biennial plant with thinly dissected leaves and a branched stem ending in umbels of inflorescences with tiny pinkish-white flowers or fragrant fruits.

The greens and roots of cumin are also edible and quite aromatic, but dried seeds, which are formed in the second year of the plant's life, are popular as a seasoning.

How the cumin seasoning is obtained

Caraway seeds are harvested during the period when they are still slightly unripe, since when ripe they crack easily and quickly crumble to the ground. Plants are cut and left to ripen under eaves. Then they are threshed, sifted to clear of debris. The finished fruits are packed in paper bags and sent for sale.

Cumin and cumin - what is the difference between them

Caraway is sometimes confused with cumin, many mistakenly believe that this is the same thing, the differences between these two spices are clearly shown in the photo:

Zira is more pungent in taste, lighter in color, and the seeds are larger than those of caraway. The aroma of cumin is also different from that of cumin: it is stronger and more spicy due to the content of essential oils.

Zira is the dried seed of the Cumin cyminum plant, which looks like parsley. The seeds are used both in whole and in the crushed form in the cooking of many countries. You will learn more about zira from.

The caraway seeds from the Carum carvi plant are crescent-shaped, long, with five pale ribs.

Caraway is more common in German cuisine, where it is usually consumed whole rather than ground. It has an anise-like aroma and flavor that is popular in breads, especially rye, but also in cheeses, sauerkraut, and root vegetables.

What is the taste and smell of cumin seeds

Cumin seeds have a very strong characteristic aroma reminiscent of anise, but with mild earthy and nutty notes and a warm, slightly pungent taste.

It is such a powerful spice that most recipes only need a small amount.

How to choose and where to buy cumin seeds

Caraway seeds are sold either in seed form or in crushed form. In the store, buy whole seeds instead of ground ones, as unscrupulous producers often fake the powder by mixing in extraneous additives.

The darker the color of the caraway fruit, the more essential oil they contain and the better the seasoning.

How and how much to store cumin seeds

Whole caraway seeds are stored in a cool, dry, dark place in sealed containers for 2-3 years. If necessary, grind them with a coffee grinder or manually in a mortar.

Crushed spices very quickly lose their taste. Ground cumin is stored in a refrigerator in tightly closed glass jars and used as early as possible, since its shelf life is much shorter: only 2-3 months.

Chemical composition

Caraway seeds have a high nutritional value as they contain many healthy nutrients, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.

Nutritional value of caraway seeds (Carum carvi) per 100 g.

Physiological role

Caraway seeds have such an effect on the body as:

• anthelmintic;
• digestive;
• immunostimulating;
• diuretic;
• antibacterial;
• expectorant;
• antitussive.

The healing properties of caraway seeds

Cumin is used primarily as a spice and condiment for food, but it is also sold in supplement form as it has numerous health benefits.

Cumin seeds are rich in fiber: 100 g of seeds contain 38 g of fiber, which is 100% of the daily recommended intake. Soluble as well as insoluble dietary fiber increases the bulk of food and helps prevent constipation by speeding up its passage through the intestines.

Fiber also absorbs toxins that can be found in food, and thus helps protect the lining of the colon from cancer. In addition, dietary fiber binds to bile salts (derived from cholesterol) and reduces their reabsorption in the colon and thus helps lower blood cholesterol levels.

Cumin contains essential oils for health: carvone, limonene, carveol, pinene, cumin aldehyde, furfural and thujone, which have antioxidant, digestive, antimicrobial properties.

The seeds contain flavonoid antioxidants such as lutein, carotene, cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin. These compounds scavenge harmful free radicals from the body and thereby protect against cancer, infection, aging, and degenerative neurological diseases.

Cumin is an excellent source of minerals such as:

• Copper is an important element for the process of hematopoiesis in the body, it is involved in the synthesis of erythrocytes and leukocytes.
• Iron is essential for the formation of red blood cells.
• Zinc regulates many vital functions in the body, including growth, development, digestion, and sperm production.
• Potassium is an electrolyte that helps the heart work efficiently and maintain both healthy blood pressure and stable heart function.
• Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the powerful antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase.
• Calcium is important for the normal permeability of cell membranes and blood vessels.
• Selenium stimulates the formation of antibodies, white blood cells, and is involved in the production of red blood cells.
• Magnesium is the main contributor energy processes, neuromuscular transmission and muscle contraction mechanism.

Caraway seeds contain many vital vitamins: A, E, C, as well as group B - thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin and niacin.

Cumin, like anything that is consumed in excess, can harm the body. Too much of this spice sometimes leads to heartburn and causes belching.

Pregnant women should be careful with this spice, especially in the first months.

Breastfeeding women should consult their gynecologists before consuming cumin seeds to stimulate lactation.

For diabetics, it is recommended to check blood sugar levels before consuming cumin, as this spice leads to a decrease in it.

The use of caraway seeds in cooking

Whole caraway seeds are added in the middle of the cooking process or 10-15 minutes before being cooked by placing them in a cloth bag and then removing them.

If the recipe requires ground seeds, it is best to grind them immediately before use.

Caraway is most commonly used in baked goods such as rye bread, rolls, and biscuits, and here are a few other dishes where it is added:

• It is an important flavoring agent for some cheeses such as Danish Hawarty and Swiss Tilsiter.
• It is used for the production of aquavit and schnapps alcoholic beverages.
• In Indian cooking, cumin seeds are used in curries and dal.
• In North African countries such as Morocco and Algeria, they are added to roast lamb.
• Ground cumin is perfect with fried potatoes, broccoli, carrots, beets.
• It is added to dishes made from legumes or cabbage in any of its forms.
• Good as a marinade for fish and lamb mixed with garlic and lemon juice.
• Cumin goes well with all spices, but it goes best with herbs and spices from its own family - dill, coriander, cumin.
• Great for recipes containing cabbage, feta cheese or cheese.
• Cumin seeds are added to some recipes sauerkraut.
• Caraway is often added to Hungarian goulash along with paprika.
• Together with other hot spices, cumin seeds are often added to sausages and meat dishes.
• This seasoning is used for vegetable salads and grilled vegetables.

1 teaspoon contains approximately 3.5 g of cumin seeds. In one pinch - about 0.5 g.

How much to add ground caraway seeds to dishes:

• For 1 kg of meat (for goulash, roast) - 1.5 tsp. (5-7 g)
• For 1 kg of minced meat - 1 tsp (5 g)
• For 1 kg of flour (for baking bread, etc.) - 2 tsp. (10 g)
• For 1 kg of sauerkraut - 1 tsp.

Cumin grown in warm countries has a more intense aroma, since it has 2 times more essential oils than that grown in cool climates, so it will take half as much.

Recipe for delicious sauerkraut with caraway seeds - video

How to replace cumin seeds in a recipe

If caraway seeds are not easy to find where you live, or they have run out, then consider any of these effective substitutes. Most alternatives can be found at your local grocery store or among the spices in your home.

• Anise seeds. This spice is from the same family, with a very similar scent. Note that anise seeds work best as a substitute for cumin in baked goods (breads and biscuits). Their strong flavor can withstand baked goods without becoming bitter. When using anise seeds instead of cumin, use less than the recipe requires.
• Fennel seeds. The two spices are so similar in taste and appearance that they are often mistaken for each other. Fennel seeds are best used as a substitute for caraway seeds in curries, stews, and the like that require long cooking times. You will also need a spice in these dishes that can compete with other strong flavors. If using fennel seeds instead of cumin, use the same amount.
• Dill seeds are another way to get a caraway-like flavor. Dill belongs to the same family, which explains the similarity in taste and smell. Its seeds are ideal for use in pureed soups and for cooking cabbage.
• Star anise (star anise) Is another spice that can be used to replace cumin. Its powerful scent can be overwhelming, so add it a little at a time.

Scientific studies have confirmed that caraway has health benefits, as it has medicinal properties, but the possible harm (contraindications) must also be taken into account. While it is too early to recommend cumin supplements as a standard treatment, including this spice in your diet will be beneficial as it is high in nutrients.

Content

Cumin is popular for cooking food products... It is added to bread, drinks, baked goods, marinades for meat. In addition, cumin can be used in dietetics, cosmetology and folk medicine for the treatment of diseases. Check out the medicinal properties and contraindications of the spice.

What is cumin

Carum carvi or common caraway is a biennial plant from the umbrella family (Apiaceae). The homeland of the spice, widely used in cooking, is Europe, the Caucasus and Asia, and it has been known since the third millennium BC. Popular names for caraway: field or wild anise, kimin, gunba. The plant has straight stems, strongly branching, up to a meter high. The root is fleshy, shaped like a spindle or cylinder.

The oblong leaves have the appearance of an egg, they reach 20 cm in length and 10 cm in width. Inflorescences in the form of umbrellas have white-pink small flowers. The fruit is an oblong flattened droplet up to 3 mm wide. Caraway seeds are located inside the fruit, have a specific smell, which manifests itself when rubbed between the fingers.

Chemical composition and calorie content

The beneficial properties of cumin are due to chemical composition... The seeds are rich in B vitamins (thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin), iron, calcium, phosphorus. The herb contains beta-carotene, phylloquinone, ascorbic acid. The seeds contain 7% valuable essential oils and 20% technical ones. There are 19.7 g of protein, 14.5 g of fat and 11.9 g of carbohydrates per 100 g of caraway. Caloric content of 100 g is 333 kcal.

The most useful essential oil of the plant is carvone, which contains up to 60% of the total. Up to 30% falls to the share of D-limonene. Essential oil contains carvacrol (provides a specific odor). The flavonoids kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin were found in the grass. It also contains beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, choline, folates, alpha-tocopherol, potassium, manganese, selenium, zinc, amino acids, arginine, glycine, omega-3 acids.

Medicinal properties of cumin

The chemical composition is due to medicinal properties black cumin. With the help of the plant, some diseases can be cured or prevented. In medicine, drops, decoction, infusion, tea are made from the plant, or dry powder is used. Medicinal properties of the spice:

How to take cumin

The benefits of caraway seeds are due to its unique chemical composition. In folk medicine, the seeds or leaves of the plant are used. They are rich in essential oils, freshen breath, have healing and regenerating activity, and are used for ophthalmic, dental, and digestive problems. Infusions, decoctions, tinctures, teas are made from the plant.

Infusion

For oral administration, infusions of caraway seeds are intended. Several cooking recipes:

1. To calm and relax: for 300 ml of hot water 2 teaspoons of caraway flowers, leave for 15 minutes. Filter, drink 100 ml three times a day.
2. For constipation: 2 tbsp. l. dry herbs pour boiling water, heat in a water bath for 10 minutes, cool, filter. Drink 100 ml after meals. Take until stool normalizes.
3. To improve appetite: one hour before meals, chew 20 caraway seeds with a glass of warm water.
4. To support immunity in children: 1 tsp. dry fruits pour 200 ml of boiling water. Cool, filter, give a teaspoon up to five times a day.

Decoction

Caraway seeds are often used as a decoction. Cooking recipes for the treatment of various diseases:

1. To improve lactation: 2 tsp. boil fruits with 2 cups of water, boil for five minutes. After cooling and straining, take 100 ml three times a day before meals.
2. To eliminate flatulence: 2 tbsp. l. fruit pour a glass of boiling water, keep for two days, take 70 ml after meals.
3. To strengthen immunity and prevent colds: brew a tablespoon of fruits with 200 ml of hot water, boil, cook for three minutes. Take 50 ml with meals.
4. For tuberculosis: pour a tablespoon of fruits with 2 cups of boiling water, cook for seven minutes, cool. After straining, drink 100 ml twice a day - in the morning before meals, in the evening - after. The course of treatment lasts until the symptoms disappear completely.
5. For colds: pour 3 tablespoons of seeds with 500 ml of water, boil, keep for two hours. Drink in equal portions throughout the day. On the second day of therapy, the decoction will begin to work, but it should be continued until complete recovery. Additionally, the medicine helps to convert a dry cough into a wet one. To improve sleep with an intense cough, you can combine cumin with regular tea.
6. To relieve stress: grind cumin seeds, mix with honey. Take a teaspoon three times a day with water for 10 days.

Slimming application

The medicinal properties of cumin make it possible to use it in dietetics. Oil and seeds are added to meals in small quantities to improve metabolism, improve the absorption of fats and proteins, eliminate gastrointestinal dysfunction, and reduce appetite. The plant helps to eliminate the effects of allergies, cope with diarrhea. If the patient follows a strict diet, then the seeds, due to the content of phytohormones, support the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Cumin in cosmetology

The use of cumin in cosmetology is popular. Masks, lotions, creams, lotions for wiping the face and décolleté are made from it. The use of the spice helps to relieve swelling of the eyelids, eliminate stretch marks, increase collagen production, get rid of acne, dandruff, itching, wrinkles. Cumin recipes:

1. Night cream substitute: dilute caraway seed oil with regular vegetable oil, apply to the skin overnight. Likewise, you can use a décolleté care mixture to increase the firmness of the bust.
2. To cleanse the face: mix the oil with blue clay until a creamy consistency is obtained, add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil. Apply to face, leave for 20 minutes, rinse.
3. For quick healing of pimples: apply the oil topically overnight.
4. To restore hair, strengthen hair follicles, eliminate itching. Peeling dandruff: mix equal proportions of cumin, olive oil and hair mask. Apply the mixture to the length of the hair for half an hour, rinse with shampoo.
5. Acne mask: 2 tsp Combine cumin oil with 8 drops of lavender oil, 6 drops of tea tree oil. Apply pointwise, rinse off after half an hour.
6. To refresh the complexion: apply for 15 minutes a mixture of oils - 2 basil, 4 rosemary, 7 bergamot, 7 juniper, 50 g caraway seeds, rinse.
7. From wrinkles: mask of a teaspoon of cumin oil, 2 tbsp. l. oil extract of grape seeds. It is applied for 40 minutes, the residues are removed with a napkin, the face is washed.
8. Nourishing mask: combine 30 g of sour cream with 15 g of cumin oil extract, 8 g of ground cinnamon. Apply a thick layer to face, rinse off after 25 minutes.

Side effects and contraindications

When preparing dishes, you should follow the rate of use of cumin - no more than half a teaspoon. It is advisable not to use the spice every day, it is better to do this every two days. Contraindications to the use of the spice:

• children under 3 years old;
• pregnancy (can provoke a miscarriage);
• severe chronic diseases (can aggravate the course and cause an exacerbation);
• heart disease (leading to heart attack, ischemia);
• lactation (with caution, because it can cause allergies in the child);
• diabetes mellitus (causes hyperglycemia);
• bronchial asthma (increases the risk of developing an attack).

When using cumin and preparations, tinctures based on it, side effects... The most common with increased consumption of foods are increased acidity of gastric juice, nausea, headaches, abdominal cramps. The spice can cause heartburn, facial flushing, skin photosensitivity, itching, and swelling.

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Caraway is one of the most famous spices in the world. Its other names are nigella, black coriander. Its seeds are used in baked goods, sauces, marinades, and alcoholic beverages. It has a special taste and aroma, and has many useful properties. There are several varieties of the plant. Among them, it stands out for its special properties and unique qualities. What are the medicinal properties of caraway and their application?

Cumin composition

Since ancient times, healers have known about the healing qualities of the plant and used it in treatment. Caraway contains many useful substances. The plant contains:

• beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight infectious processes in the body and strengthens the body's defenses;
• vitamin A, which affects the formation of skin or mucous membranes;
• vitamin B1, which can strengthen cell membranes, which prevent free radicals from penetrating into them;
• vitamin B2, which takes part in the formation of red cells, which contain hemoglobin and are responsible for the transfer of oxygen to cells;
• vitamin B4, which helps to eliminate cholesterol from the body;
• vitamin B6, which is involved in the breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which gives the body energy for physical activity and respiration;
• vitamin B9, which improves liver function;
• vitamin C, which helps to strengthen the fight against viruses and infection;
• vitamin E, which reduces the risk of cancer;
• vitamin PP, which can expand the blood vessels of the brain and lower blood pressure.

Cumin contains macro- and microelements that help the normal course of biochemical reactions in the body:

• calcium strengthens bones and teeth;
• magnesium helps to normalize muscle function (in case of convulsions - reduces their frequency);
• potassium has a positive effect on heart rate;
• iron is involved in the formation of hemoglobin;
• zinc is the basis of bone tissue;
• copper improves the skin, making them strong and elastic;
• selenium takes part in the production of the hormone testosterone, which affects potency in men.

The unique composition of the plant allows it to be used in folk and official medicine. What are the medicinal properties of cumin seeds?

The benefits of cumin

Since ancient times, people have known about the beneficial properties of black cumin and used it in the treatment of many diseases. In the countries of the East, cumin has been used for more than 3000 years, it is considered sacred. Here the inhabitants used the green part of the plant and its seeds. In ancient Rome, women ground seeds in a mortar to spread their scent throughout their homes. This helped to improve the appetite in children. Caraway with black seeds is especially rich in medicinal properties. It is still used as a spice, adding to drinks and dishes.

Using cumin as a condiment

Despite the medicinal properties of cumin, it is also widely used as a condiment for cooking. It is worth noting that the seeds added as a whole are not liked by many people due to their specific taste. Ground seeds in baked goods, salads and fried potatoes are enjoyed and eaten willingly. When preparing sauerkraut dishes, use a bag of cumin. Place it during cooking, and before readiness take out and mix the cabbage thoroughly. In this case, the seasoning does not affect the taste of the dish, and the medicinal properties of black cumin will be fully utilized.

The use of cumin as a seasoning is suitable for meat, fish, pilaf, salads and for pickling herring. In India, it is fried dry or with the addition of vegetable oil frying pan. Cumin is added to stews in the cuisines of Germany and Austria.

A perfect seasoning mixture for all types of cheese can be made by mixing salt, cumin and black pepper. Cumin is added to baked goods, and winemakers use it in the preparation of some alcoholic beverages. Dishes that contain seasoning are this moment many and they are widespread.

How to choose and store cumin

Black cumin should be used for food and for treatment. He comes from Asia. Cumin is sometimes referred to as the black queen of spices. It is important that it is fresh and harvested in ecologically clean areas. It is better to buy caraway seeds in specialized sections of the store or pharmacies. The aroma of the seeds should be specific, slightly reminiscent of nutmeg or pepper. The taste is pleasant, the color is dark. Cumin has a triangular, slightly elongated shape.

You can store seeds along with other seasonings. After purchase, it should be poured into a separate jar and closed with a lid. It is not recommended to store them in direct sunlight - vitamins are destroyed, and the medicinal properties of cumin are reduced. Caraway is stored for 3 years.

The healing properties of cumin

Possessing medicinal properties and contraindications, cumin is widely used in the treatment of many diseases. The main beneficial features seeds:

1. Strengthening the immune system. Due to its qualities, cumin helps to increase the body's defenses, therefore it is used in the fight against viruses and bacteria. It is useful for people who have undergone surgery or serious illnesses.
2. The seeds improve mood, performance and endurance. They are necessary for people engaged in hard physical labor.
3. It is recommended to use cumin for insomnia, nervous tension and increased excitability. It has antidepressant properties, reduces symptoms of hysteria and irritability.
4. Cumin is able to cleanse blood vessels, lower cholesterol levels. The plant prevents the development of varicose veins and atherosclerosis and helps in their treatment.
5. The seeds are able to alleviate the condition of a woman with menopause, reduce pain during menstruation. They help with various problems arising in the sexual sphere of men and women. Reception of cumin by the male sex is an excellent prevention of prostatitis.
6. The plant helps to lower blood pressure and improves heart function.
7. Due to its medicinal properties, cumin cleanses the kidneys, improves their activity. The plant has a mild diuretic effect.
8. The ability of caraway seeds to increase blood hemoglobin is known.
9. Cumin, which is part of the eye drops, improves the condition of the eyes and reduces their tearing.
10. Effective help from seeds for allergies, including allergic conjunctivitis and rhinitis, bronchial asthma.
11. Due to its beneficial properties, seeds are able to increase milk production in a woman during lactation.
12. The seeds of the plant can cure coughs as well as chronic bronchitis and asthma.
13. Cumin has an anti-tumor effect.
14. Seeds are useful for anemia and gastritis with low acidity.
15. Helps to reduce headache and ear pain.
16. Thanks to its medicinal properties, black cumin improves the appearance of oily skin.
17. The seeds promote wound healing, stitches and tissue repair. They are used in the postoperative period, but not for organ transplantation.
18. Cumin can freshen your breath.
19. The seeds can help fight helminths.

The plant is used for the prevention of gum and skin diseases and against hair loss. Even in ancient times, many of the fair sex used it for body and face skin care. In cosmetology, many preparations have been created based on cumin.

The medicinal properties of caraway seeds are used in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system. To improve appetite, chew half a teaspoon of dry seeds before eating. Cumin helps in the treatment of flatulence, constipation and colitis.

Currently, scientists have conducted research and proved that the seasoning inhibits the growth of cancer cells and helps with autoimmune diseases.

Essential oil features

The oil obtained from cumin is a high quality product with unique properties. It has a rich aroma and a slightly bitter taste. The oil is produced from the raw seeds of the plant by cold pressing, which allows you to preserve most of its positive qualities.

The oil contains fatty acids that can cure many diseases. It contains vitamins A, E and D, nutrients that have a positive effect on many body systems. Rich essential oil:

• polysaccharides;
• tannins;
• amino acids;
• alkaloids;
• enzymes.

Due to its medicinal properties, cumin oil is widely used for the prevention of various diseases.

Many manufacturers include cumin oil in their hair and skin care products. It is widely used in massage creams for cellulite, as well as in mixtures for wrapping.

Sometimes cumin oil is used as an independent agent, adding to shampoo or balm. In this case, precautions must be taken because the product is concentrated and may irritate the skin.

The healing properties of black seed oil

Special studies have found that essential oil can:

• improve the work of the digestive tract;
• relieve itching in the anus, hemorrhoids and chronic constipation;
• strengthen the body's defenses;
• it protects against the development of cellulite and the occurrence of edema due to the fact that it normalizes the flow of lymph and blood circulation;
• effectively reduces blood pressure, if taken in the morning and evening on an empty stomach, 1 teaspoon;
• the oil can refresh and soften the skin of the face;
• strengthen hair, reduce hair loss and prevent the appearance of gray hair;
• increase appetite;
• slow down the premature aging process of the skin of the face and protect from ultraviolet radiation;
• eliminate dandruff and have a positive effect on the scalp;
• reduce the manifestation of flatulence;
• improve metabolism;
• to protect skin covering from peeling and drying;
• cleanse the body of free radicals.

It has oil and good choleretic effect. The properties of cumin for medicinal purposes are used not only in Asia, but also in Europe.

Instructions for using cumin oil

Plant oil is used not only for external use, but also for internal use.

Outwardly, it is used in the treatment of bronchitis, chronic cough and bronchial asthma. Cumin oil can be mixed with olive oil in a 1: 5 ratio. It is necessary to rub the back and chest well together with the inhalation procedure with oil for 15 minutes.

It is effective to keep 1/2 teaspoon of the product in the mouth: then there will be no trace of the cough. It is necessary to do this procedure until the symptoms of the disease disappear.

When treating psoriasis, oil is applied to rashes on the body to reduce itching and irritation.

Cumin oil has medicinal properties, and it has contraindications, but insignificant: for example, you should not use it if you have insomnia: it can increase the activity of the body.

For cleansing, you need to take a teaspoon of the product 2 times a day on an empty stomach. Usually, treatment continues for 3 months, and then a break is taken from 1.5 to 2 months. After that, the intake of oil can be continued again.

In case of infertility and prostatitis, the drug is taken orally. The dose ranges from 1-2 teaspoons to 2-3 tablespoons per day until the effect is obtained.

To improve digestion, relieve pain and bloating, butter is drunk with milk. A glass will need 0.5 teaspoon of the product and a spoonful of honey.

According to reviews, the medicinal properties of caraway are used for weight loss, they are included in the diet not only in oil, but also seeds.

Slimming cumin

For a greater effect, along with oil for weight loss, a decoction of cumin seeds is used. You can chew the seeds of the plant on an empty stomach to normalize metabolism, the appearance of a diuretic and laxative effect.

Cumin will give the body vitamins and minerals. The seeds effectively suppress sugar cravings. If you use them constantly, then desire will disappear eat something sweet.

The broth is prepared in the following ratio: 2 teaspoons to 0.5 liters of water. You need to boil it for 10 minutes, then leave for several hours. It is recommended to drink a decoction of 0.5 cups three times a day 30-40 minutes before meals.

Despite the medicinal properties of caraway, it has contraindications. Therefore, you need to drink the broth with caution.

When using seeds to combat extra pounds, be sure to observe moderation in food. If the diet contains fatty and high-calorie foods, it will be difficult to achieve results.

Contraindications when taking cumin

Black cumin has medicinal properties and contraindications. Limitations include:

• Pregnancy. Due to the presence of biostimulants in the cumin, a woman may experience premature labor. Therefore, it is better not to take it during pregnancy.
• With gallstone disease or gastritis, colic may occur in gallbladder and discomfort in the stomach.
• Heart pathology, heart attack. When taking cumin, blood circulation improves, so there is a load on the heart.
• Thrombophlebitis. When using caraway seeds, blood can thicken, especially if you are prone to disease.
• Individual intolerance. In this case, before starting the procedure, you can test a small area of ​​the skin for an allergic reaction.
• Lactation period. It is not recommended to take cumin during breastfeeding, because of its potential to cause allergies in the baby.
• Diabetes. The use of seeds is not recommended for patients who suffer from this disease, because they can increase the level of glucose in the blood.
• People with asthma should not consume cumin due to the risk of coughing.

This product, along with other spices, is an active allergen. Therefore, it is better to add it to dishes in a limited amount, mixing it with other seasonings. You should not mix and consume cumin with pineapple, guava and citrus fruits, which can significantly increase the secretion of gastric juice.

Black cumin has a rich composition and can be used to treat many diseases, but it has many contraindications that must be taken into account before using it!

Caraway is a biennial herb whose seeds are used in cooking in various dishes.

Description:

The stem of this culture is single, naked, furrowed, hollow inside, branched in the upper part, 0.25-0.7 m high. In the first year of life, a rosette of basal leaves appears, in the second - a stem. Leaves are double- and thrice-pinnate, long-petiolate, large and oblong. The inflorescences are complex umbrellas. Caraway flowers are small, five-petal, white or pink. From the inflorescences, oblong-ovoid fruits are formed, 3-5 cm long. Ripe fruits disintegrate into 2 half-fruits. The flowering period is June-July. The fruits ripen in the second half of summer.

Properties and origin:

Caraway seeds were found during excavations in Mesopotamia. Caraway fruits have a spicy, bitter taste and rich aroma similar to that of dill. The homeland of this wild-growing herb is Eurasia. It is grown in Germany, the Netherlands, Eastern Europe, Asia, North Africa, America and New Zealand. In Holland, a caraway variety was bred, the seeds of which do not crumble. Today the Dutch are the main suppliers of this spice. The name of this plant is most likely associated with a mistake, it comes from the Greek "karon", which means "cumin", not "cumin". The origin of the Greek name is associated with the ancient region of Asia Minor - Caria. Still, it is to the Greek "karon" that the Norwegian "karve", the Italian, French and Spanish "carvi" go back. Since ancient times, caraway has occupied an honorable place not only in cooking, but also in folk medicine. It is used as a carminative and antimicrobial agent, as well as for bowel diseases and constipation. The essential oil of this plant is used for eye diseases, neuroses, metabolic disorders and tumors.

Application:

Caraway seeds are most often mentioned in as well as in Czech, Austrian, Hungarian and Scandinavian cuisines. It is sprinkled with rye bread, seasoned with sauerkraut, boiled potatoes, meat stew, goulash and used for salting bacon. The famous dish of Austrian, German and Czech cuisine "schweinebrateri" (baked pork) is not complete without a fragrant seasoning, a mixture of caraway seeds and garlic. Some cottage cheese and cheese dishes are also flavored with cumin. In European cuisine, muffins are sprinkled with caraway seeds and put in jam. Cumin is added to pickled vegetables and alcoholic beverages.

The composition of caraway seeds includes essential oil, coumarins, fatty oil, steroids, flavonoids, resins, wax, protein, tannins, trace elements (copper, iron, vanadium, zinc, strontium, nickel, molybdenum, manganese). The fruits and leaves also contain kaempferol, quercitin, isoquercitin and rutin.

Chef Tips:

For a richer aroma of caraway seeds, they should be fried in a dry skillet. It is recommended to season the sauerkraut during boiling, while its aroma becomes more pleasant and delicate. You need to store the seeds in a sealed container, in a dry, dark place.

Jan-22-2017

What is cumin

What is cumin, medicinal properties and contraindications, what are the beneficial properties of this plant, all this is of great interest to those who lead a healthy lifestyle, monitor their health, and are interested in folk methods of treatment, including with the help of medicinal herbs and spices ... So we will try to answer these questions in the following article.

Caraway (lat.Cárum) is a genus of perennial or biennial plants of the Apiaceae family, of which the most famous species is Carum carvi, used as a spice. Representatives of the genus grow in the temperate climate of Europe and Asia.

The root is powerful, fleshy, fusiform, up to 20 cm in length. The leaves are alternate, gradually decreasing towards the top of the stem, doubly or three-pinnate, on short petioles with sheaths, the lower leaves are long-petiolate. In the first year, it forms a root rosette of leaves, in the second year, the stem develops.

The stem is smooth, slightly knotty or rounded, hollow, geniculate. When the fruit ripens, the stem gradually turns brown and dries out. Each shoot ends with an inflorescence. The flowers are small, five-petalled, white, deeply globular, collected in a complex umbel without a wrapper or with a wrapper consisting of 1–3 whole leaves.

The fruit is an oblong droplet, which decays at ripening into 2 semi-fruits. Blossoms in June - July, fruits ripen in July - August in the second year of life. Propagated by seeds. Distributed in the European part of Russia, especially in the southern and southeastern regions, the Caucasus, Western Siberia and Central Asia. Grows on fresh sandy loam and loamy soils in dry meadows, forest glades and forest edges, along roads and along roadsides, on pastures.

If you want to grow caraway seeds, buy caraway seeds. Sow once, and then just leave a few plants with seeds to winter. And you will never have a problem with your caraway harvest. Sow like a carrot.

In German, Austrian, Czech, Scandinavian and Hungarian cuisines, cumin is the most widespread. It still gives the characteristic taste of German rye bread, it is flavored with sauerkraut, salted with lard and, finally, sprinkled with potatoes "in their uniforms." Swedes add caraway seeds to their bread, and Hungarians add caraway seeds to their specialty goulash.

Modern cooks add dried caraway seeds, and sometimes leaves (especially young ones), when salting and pickling vegetables and in baked goods. It is also used in the production of alcoholic beverages.

Store caraway seeds in tightly closed jars in a dry, dark place.

Frying cumin seeds in a dry skillet will enhance their flavor. When boiling sauerkraut, add some cumin seeds and the bad smell will disappear.

To flavor the vinegar, you can take two tablespoons of fresh dill, celery, caraway seeds, anise and coriander seeds, grind them if possible, and pour the whole liter of rum with hot vinegar. Close the jar tightly and put on the window to infuse for a week. Then vinegar can be used for salads and other needs.

How is caraway useful?

The aroma of caraway seeds resembles anise and fennel at the same time, and goes well with these spices and with coriander. It is included in the recipe hard cheeses, caraway seeds are served separately with the Alsatian "Münster". Cumin with juniper is placed in cabbage when fermented, seeds are added to stewed cabbage, bean or bean stew with smoked meats, in potatoes - when fried or just mashed.

Cumin is mixed with crushed garlic to season and make roasted and baked meat easier to digest. Caraway is often added to Hungarian goulash along with paprika. In Scandinavia, cumin is considered a favorite addition to bread, biscuits and cereals. The caraway aroma disappears quickly. If the recipe includes ground cumin, it is best to grind it just before use and add it to the dish at the very end of cooking.

The best way to take advantage of the medicinal properties of cumin is to pick the herbs and chop them into a salad. Green cumin has a more delicate mild aroma and goes well with vegetables: pumpkin, all types of cabbage, carrots. Fresh roots are edible too! In medieval England, young caraway roots were highly valued, they were consumed with potatoes, like parsnips. They can also be seasoned with thick pea soup put in vegetable stew or casseroles. Caraway has long ceased to be a purely European seasoning and has become a part of the Tabili spice, which is served in North Africa with fish and lamb, as well as with the Mekhviya salad.

In folk medicine, cumin is used as an analgesic, anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, antiseptic, expectorant, choleretic agent. It is useful for difficulty urinating, kidney pain. In the treatment of gastritis, enterocolitis, intestinal colic, bronchial asthma, mastitis, heart failure, hypertension, epilepsy, chronic constipation associated with intestinal atony. Infusions of cumin seeds are used for colds, diseases of the pancreas, to increase sexual potency. Cumin root powder treats prostate adenoma.

Caraway is also used in official Russian pharmacology. You can buy caraway water and essential oil in pharmacies. Essential oil of cumin (like calamus, St. John's wort, juniper, fir, tansy, yarrow) has high antioxidant activity and is included in the recipes for antitumor preparations used in oncology. There are preparations from cumin for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Cumin is found in eye medicines and powders that sharpen vision.

Medicinal properties of cumin

Modern scientific and traditional medicine widely uses cumin in its practice.

• Common cumin has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, reduces fermentation processes and increases the production of gastric juice.
• Cumin is an excellent antidepressant and remedy for insomnia.
• It has anti-inflammatory and minor diuretic effects.
• Pharmaceutical preparations of cumin help to thin phlegm and remove it from the respiratory system. Common caraway is used in medicines that relieve bronchospasm.
• Cumin has a beneficial effect on the reproductive system in men and women.
• It freshens breath well and normalizes the work of the salivary glands.
• But most importantly, common cumin, like black cumin, is an antioxidant, that is, it has antioxidant properties.

For medicinal purposes, the fruits of cumin are used. Harvesting is best done early in the morning or evening to prevent shedding of ripe fruits. The fruits are very light, 10,000 pieces weigh 2–2.5 g. They are harvested in July - August, in the phase when the fruits ripen in the central umbrellas, and the marginal fruits are not yet ripe. The caraway stems are cut, tied into sheaves. When drying in the open air or indoors, the fruits ripen, after which the tops are threshed by hand, the stems are discarded, and the fruits are cleaned on sieves and ventilated. So that the raw material does not contain mineral impurities, the plant must not be uprooted. In well-closed jars or boxes, dry caraway fruits are practically usable for three years.

Currently, the fruits of caraway are included in the pharmacopoeias of many countries of the world. In pharmacies, cumin water and essential oil are prepared from them.

Caraway water, consisting of 1 g of essential oil and 1 liter of water, is used in pediatrics as a substitute for dill water and is used 1-2 tsp 2-3 times a day as a carminative for gas colic in children, as well as externally for rubbing with myositis.

Caraway essential oil (clear liquid, colorless or yellowish, with a caraway smell and a spicy taste) is taken orally 1-2 drops on a piece of sugar or with honey, 2-3 times a day as a means of regulating the activity of the stomach and intestines, with gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), edema, weak lactation, with pleurisy, chronic cholecystitis, with intestinal atony with symptoms of flatulence, with aerophagia, colic, loss of appetite, nausea, worms, indigestion, poor circulation, low body temperature , tumors of the lymph nodes, to stimulate digestion, with dizziness, irritability.

Outwardly, cumin essential oil is used in the form of ointments for rubbing as an analgesic for rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, gout. The essential oil has an anti-tuberculosis effect. Oil and herbal preparations act antispasmodic on the muscles of the intestines, uterus, ureter, bladder.

Cumin has a stimulating scent. Crush the seeds and inhale the scent to heal your body by imagining the scent as a sparkling orange-yellow flame.

This scent has a refreshing effect on the mind. Breathe it in to increase your thinking speed and strengthen your memory.

Caraway fruits are part of the appetizing, carminative, gastric, laxative and sedative preparations.

Infusion of cumin:

1-2 teaspoons of caraway seeds pour 1 glass of boiling water, insist, wrapped, 2 hours, drain. Take 1/4 cup 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals (for children - 1 teaspoon 3 times a day).

It is useful to drink the infusion in 1 glass in the morning and in the evening to enhance lactation for nursing mothers. Infusion is useful to rinse your mouth with halitosis. It is useful for weakened children to take baths in an infusion of caraway seeds.

Caraway decoction:

Pour 1 teaspoon of fruits with 1 glass of boiling water, cook in a sealed container in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes, cool at room temperature for 10 minutes, drain. Take 1-2 tbsp. spoon 3-4 times a day (children - 1 teaspoon 2-3 times a day). From this broth, you can give the child a cleansing enema.

In folk medicine, more "strong" decoctions are prepared from 20 g of chopped dill in a glass of water. They are recommended to be taken during the day in small sips for choking and spasmodic coughing.

Take the crushed caraway seeds on the tip of a penknife, drink it with water, 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals as a means of stimulating the appetite, with nausea, anemia.

- 1 tbsp. Mix a spoonful of chopped caraway seeds with 1 glass of sour cream or cream, cook in a sealed container over low heat for 5 minutes. Take 1/2 cup 3 times a day to enhance lactation in nursing mothers.

- With flatulence in adults, a decoction prepared as follows gives good results: take 2 tbsp. tablespoons of caraway seeds, 1 teaspoon of dill fruits, 2.5 tbsp. tablespoons of crushed leaves with yarrow flowers and 1 tbsp. a spoonful of chopped oat straw - all this for 0.5 liters of water. Cook for 10 minutes, insist until cooled, filter. Drink throughout the day in small sips.

- 1-3 teaspoons of caraway seeds (the dose of seeds is chosen individually, depending on the susceptibility of the organism) pour one glass of cream, insist in a tightly sealed container in a hot oven for 30-45 minutes to simmer (do not boil!), Strain. Take in small sips if there is insufficient secretion breast milk 1/2 cup in the morning and in the evening. Nursing mothers will not harm themselves or the baby, even if the daily dose of cumin seeds is increased to 1 tbsp. spoons. The duration of treatment is determined by the addition of breast milk.

- Pour 100 g of dill seeds with 0.5 liters of unpasteurized milk, bring to a boil, cook in a sealed container over low heat for 5 minutes, then insist, wrapped for 2 hours, drain. When treating mastopathy, take 2/3 cup 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 3 weeks, a break is one to two weeks.

- 2 tbsp. tablespoons of caraway seeds, half a glass of granulated sugar, one chopped lemon, pour 1 liter of water, bring to a boil and cook in a sealed container over low heat for 8-10 minutes, cool, drain. If there is a lack of milk in nursing mothers, take 1/2 cup 3 times a day before meals.

- Bread baked with caraway seeds, - good remedy with a lack of milk in a woman who is breastfeeding.

- If there is urinary retention with prostate adenoma, then tea from the fruits of cumin gives a good result: 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of fruits with 1.5 cups of boiling water, cook in a sealed container over low heat for 5-7 minutes, insist, wrapped for 10 minutes, drain. Drink during the day.

Slimming cumin

Speaking about whether cumin oil contributes to weight loss, you need to highlight its main features:

• It dulls the appetite;
• Reduces cravings for sugary and fatty foods;
• Strengthens the immune system;
• Interferes with the absorption of fats;
• Helps the body break down existing fat cells.

Cumin and losing weight on it gives a lot of benefits:

• In addition to weight loss, this plant and products prepared from it help to rejuvenate and slow down aging;
• The use of cumin has no contraindications, except for an allergy to it;
• Despite the cleansing effect, diarrhea does not occur after consuming oil or seeds;
• Cumin normalizes metabolism, which has a beneficial effect on health in general;
• With it, you can easily lose up to 10 kg in just 1 month.

How to use black seed for weight loss:

• You can chew cumin seeds for weight loss, or add them to dishes: this dulls appetite and helps to achieve a slim figure;
• Take oil in pure form, or dilute it with water;

There is another option - caraway seeds in tablets that you need to drink within a month.