AN important part of a meal is not only the nutrition but the flavour, texture, and aroma of the food. Spices are the essence of flavour in food. This is often stressed in Ayurveda.
Certain spices and combinations are used for particular body constitutions, taking into consideration the type and stage of the disease, as mentioned in Ayurveda.
One such spice is precious in Ayurvedic Medicine. Its Sanskrit name is Jeeraka, which means “that which aids digestion”.
It is also called jeera or white cumin.
The seeds have the best medicinal value and are collected from the cuminum cyminum plant. It has a light and dry quality with a pungent and bitter taste.
There are two other varieties of cumin - namely black cumin (nigella sativa), which is also called kalonji, and bitter cumin (cuminum nigrum).
White cumin is an important ingredient found in most Ayurvedic medicinal preparations, which are used for conditions like bloating, vomiting, diarrhoea, dysentery, mal-absorption syndrome, fever, and skin diseases.
Black cumin, on the other hand, is traditionally used for asthma, diabetes, hypertension, weight loss, fever, inflammation, bronchitis, dizziness, eczema, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
If there is one thing jeera should be noted for, is its ability to improve digestion by increasing the activity of digestive proteins, which helps reduce symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Apart from this, it is also a rich source of iron and it contains antioxidants that stabilise free radicals, which are responsible for causing inflammation.
Classical Ayurvedic texts have mentioned the following benefits:
* Improves digestion and taste
* Digests toxins
* Improves strength and immunity
* Redirects the flow of vata downwards (Vata - according to Ayurveda practice - governs all movement in the mind and body.).
* Alleviates intestinal spasms and vomiting
* Cleanses and detoxifies the uterus. Hence, it is widely used in post-partum care of the mother and is particularly useful for lactation.
* Improves intelligence
* Natural aphrodisiac
* Clears head of congestion and mucous
* Good for the eyes and improving visual capacity
Health tips:
* 1 teaspoonful of jeera seeds kept overnight in the warm water can be chewed and eaten in the morning. The water should be warmed again in the morning. This is useful for menstrual difficulties and piles.
* Cumin powder with black salt and warm water help relieve colic and dysmenorrhoea.
* Cumin powder mixed with coriander and fennel is excellent for aiding digestion and removing metabolic toxins.
* Please consult an Ayurvedic Physician before taking any prescribed medication that has been discussed.
Govender is registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa to practise Ayurveda in the country. Her Ayurvedic practice is located in Pretoria East. For more information, visit doctortamlyn.com To book a consultation or to find out more information please email [email protected]