The eponymous ‘Jeera’ in Paper Boat Jal Jeera, cumin is a versatile little thing. It must be short for ‘acumen’ because it has the range and qualities way beyond that of a regular spice. Don’t believe us? Here’s some lightly sautéed truth with a dash of lemon.
Cumin is known for its antiseptic properties and helps in healing inner body wounds. So it’s basically like Boroline, but it makes things taste good. And your mother won’t scold you for eating it secretly behind the almira either. Win win.
Cumin is a digestive that helps you break food down and explain it component by component to your stomach and intestines, so they understand your food better. And in this understanding, there is temporary gastronomical peace.
Cumin helps in curing and preventing respiratory disorders. This and its anti-fungal properties make it almost indispensable as an impassioned embattler of cough and cold.
Not sleeping well? Cumin can help. It works as an anti-insomniac. Best part? You don’t need a prescription.
Teacher always told us that prevention is better than cure. Being a source of iron, Cumin helps in prevention AND treatment of anaemia. Thus proved, Cumin > Cumin. LHS + RHS. I wasn’t that good at math. Of course, it was ‘maths’ back then.
Cumin has high cooling effects. So much so, that Egyptians used it for mummifying their royalty. I guess it also helped them *puts on sunglasses* sleep easier.
Our favourite spice played a prominent role in Ayurvedic medicinal traditions, due to its anti-flatulent, anti-oxidant, anti-glycation (prevents sugar and fatty acids from bonding and conspiring against your body) and anti-osteoporotic (prevents your bones from going kaput) properties.
Cumin is a treasure-trove of minerals like iron, copper, magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, selenium and manganese. Each with unique nutrient properties. I guess that’s why they say “Jeera hai sada ke liye”. Okay, maybe they don’t. But they should.