Cumin

Sanskrit: जीरक Botanical: Cuminum cyminum Linn.

Common culinary spice with strong digestive and absorbent properties. Especially useful in diarrhea and digestive disorders.

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Pungent (Katu)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
Potency (Virya)
Hot (Ushna)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Pungent (Katu)
Key Constituents
10% (Cuminaldehyde (42% of essential oil), Thymol (antiseptic), Pentosan)
Also Known As
Sanskrit: जीरक, जरण, अजाजी
Hindi: जीरा, सफ़ेद जीरा

What is Jeeraka / Cumin?

Common culinary spice with strong digestive and absorbent properties. Especially useful in diarrhea and digestive disorders.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Deepana (digestive stimulant)
  • Pachana (digestive)
  • Grahi (absorbent)
  • Garbhashaya Shodhaka (uterine cleanser)
  • Stanyajanana (galactogogue)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1

Classical Therapeutic Uses

  • Atisara (diarrhea)
  • Grahani (IBS)
  • Jwara (fever)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1

References in Astanga Hridaya

21-24 योषकटवीवरा श ु वड गा त वषाि थराः ह गुस ौवचलाजाजीयवानीधा य च काः नशी ब ृह यौ हपुषा पाठामूलं च के बुकात ् एषां चूण मधु घ ृतं तैलं च सदशांशकम ् स तु भः षोडशगुणैयु तं पीतं नहि त तत ् अ त थौ या दकान ् सवा ोगान यां च त वधान ् ोगकामलाि व वासकासगल हान ् बु मेधा म ृ तकरं स न या ने च द पनम ् Powder of Vyosha- (Trikatu – pepper, long pepper and ginger), Katvi, Vara (Triphala), Shigru (drum stick), Vidanga (False black pepper – Embelia ribes), Ativisha, Sthira (Desmodium gangeticum), Hingu – (A

— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 14: Dvividha Upakramaneeya

Source: Astanga Hridaya, Ch. 14

Cumin by Condition

Explore how Cumin is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.