Alternative Medicine: From a to Z, Try C for Cumin

Both the Old Testament (Isaiah 28:27) and New Testament (Matthew 23:23) of the Bible mention this humble but powerful seed, Cumin or the Latinate Cuminum cyminum. Evidence of ancient use of cumin have been unearthed at the famed Syrian archeological site Tel-A-Dar and has been dated 2,000 years before the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Although the name "cumin," usually varied with "K" as in Kumon or Kammun, or Comino indicates a Greek and Spanish route of transference, the home of cum (Jeera, or Zeera in parts of South and Central Asia) may in fact be neither Syria or the Meditteranean, but Iran. However, East India may have a claim to provenance too. Be that as it may, cumin can help with many ailments or deficiencies from "A" to "Z." Whether it is anemia or zinc deficiency, cumin used as a flavor enhancer in foods (even rice!) or taken as tea, will be a natural supplement. However, if you have a doctor, or ongoing treatments for any condition, please check with your doctor before using any of my recipes, below.

Like some of the other herbs and spices I mentioned in the past few days (during AC's Alternative Medicine -- one of three subjects -- for nominations of writers here), Cumin, too, can relieve stomach, tension and feminine problems and conditions. Cumin, even as a spice added with onions when a main dish is being cooked, will help reduce the flatuence that is generated by some of these foods. After the fact, one can add a teaspoon of seeds to a cup of hot water (immersed with a simple tea-strainer, for instance) to make a cup of tea. Sweeten with honey ... after the seeds have soaked for about 20 minutes. I am reluctant to advise readers to bnoil the seeds in the saucepan or teapot because (no research, yet) I suspect I may weaken the potency of the spice. However, I have no facts to back up my suspicion, and often I boil both cumin seeds or coriander seeds for their respective uses (as a tea).

Insomnia:
Bananas and cumin will solve your short-term insomnia problems. I have used a ripe banana and cumin powder for this. Cumin powders are available in most ethnic grocery stores, and in major metropolitan areas, the chain grocery stores carry most Indian and international spices.

I usually mash up a ripe banana in a deep bowl or plate. I sprinkle a quarter teaspoon of cumin powder over the mashed banana. Then I add -- for taste -- a little cold or warm milk. This is a great dessert and an inducement to sleep. Try it ... and let us (including AC) know how it works. I have full faith in it (but what do I know, I am no physician! LOL)

Cumin is a pain reliever, too, and if used as tea or liberally as a flavoring spice in any food (it is not spicy or hot or pungent), women are said to have better pregnancies, less menstrual pain, and healthier babies. I cannot vouch for this as I am a man myself.

Finally, please know that the cumin seed is often mistaken for the caraway seeds, but are thinner in its tiny dimensions from caraway. Fennel seeeds also may look similar to Jeera or Cumin, but your store clerk or manager can help you avoid errors. Cumin belongs to the parsley family ... and can be used dry (fried gently in a skillet) and then flavors meats and other foods. It has a mild, pleasant and distinctive taste. Enjoy ...Bon Appetit!