Cumin Oil: Uses & Benefits

Do you want to kick start your diet?

Are you troubled by indigestion?

Do you want a natural way to reduce your risk of infection and illness?

This spicy essential oil is widely recognized as a spice adopted by many cultures and used to cook dishes all across the world.  Its strong aroma and spicy kick add a powerful flavor to any dish, even when only used in small quantities.  The spice’s oil is gathered from the crushed, dried seeds of the plant.  The spice also has some medicinal benefits, but the real power lies in the the highly concentrated oil, and using the oil in place of the spice can intensify the effects of its benefits.

What is Cumin Essential Oil?

Principal Benefits

• Supports digestive functions
• Adds strong flavor and spice to cooking dishes
• Protects against toxins and infections

How to Use Cumin Essential Oil

Cumin has been used for literally thousands of years to protect the body from infection and disease, and in some cultures was used in rituals to protect homes as well.  Today its essential oils are used to invigorate the digestive system and improve circulation, among other uses.

Directions for Use:

• Aromatic: Add 3-4 drops to a diffuser, or dilute one drop with carrier oil and place directly beneath the nose.
• Topical: Dilute with a carrier oil and massage into skin.  Alternatively, mix with skin cleanser or lotion to enhance benefits to skin. This oil is highly concentrated and must be diluted before application.
• Internal: Safe to ingest in diluted quantities.

Cumin Essential Oil Uses

• Add several drops of as an ingredient in soups, stews, and bakes to add a spicy flavor to any dish.  Use with caution – a few drops will go a long way!
• Add 1-2 drops to a carrier oil (such as avocado or coconut oil) and massage directly onto the skin to create a comfortable warming sensation.
• Diffuse into the room prior to a dinner party to stimulate appetites prior to serving dinner.
• Can be applied directly to a wound as an antiseptic that stimulates rapid healing.  Remember to dilute with a carrier oil prior to application.
• For an antiseptic mouth rinse, add one drop to half a glass of water and gargle.
• Incorporate several drops into a dish to promote digestive health.
• Another way to reduce the risk of indigestion or excess gas after eating is to add 1-2 drops to a glass of tea or water and consume.

Cumin Essential Oil Health Benefits

• Can be applied as an antiseptic to wounds to reduce the potential of infection.
• This spicy oil promotes perspiration and urination, and thereby helps the body to remove unnatural toxins as well as excess hormones and enzymes that the body produces naturally.
• Another benefit of this oil’s diuretic properties is that they promote healthy weight loss.  Removing excess water from the body reduces swelling and supports digestive health in addition to removing excess toxins.
• Combats the formation of gasses after eating, reducing discomfort and heightening the effectiveness of the digestive system.
• Can be diluted and applied topically to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
• Consumption can help to regulate the female menstrual cycle, as well as reduce discomfort experienced during that time and during menopause.
• Diffusing in a room can reduce the negative emotional effects of stress and anxious moods. Similar calming effects can be achieved by diluting in a carrier oil and massaging onto the body to induce a warm, calming sensation.
• The scent may stimulate the appetite, which can contribute to effective treatment of anorexia or other food-averse eating disorders.
• Can be mixed into a facial lotion and applied to remove toxins and improve the complexion, as well as reduce the appearance of wrinkles and acne.
• Dilute in a carrier oil and massage into muscles to reduce soreness and post-workout discomfort.

Cumin – Cuminum cyminum

Cumin Essential Oil Research

The cumin plant derives from the Apicae family, and is extensively found in the Mediterranean region.  The spice is derived from the seeds of the beautiful yellow flowers that bloom on the plant each year.  Though the seeds can be consumed whole, they are typically dried and ground in order to produce the spice that is used in cooking dishes worldwide.  Its medicinal benefits were acknowledged going back as early as 2000 BC, where it was both consumed to protect the body and used in rituals to protect the home.  Egyptians even used it as a part of the mummification process!  However today its medicinal popularity stems from a heightened knowledge of its benefits as an antiseptic, digestive stimulant, and general detoxifier.

Cumin Essential Oil Nutrition

Cumin essential oil does not yield nutritional benefits in and of itself, as it is not specifically a vitamin or nutrient supplement.  However its oil can be ingested to the overall benefit of many of the bodily systems that support the processing of nutrients taken in the form of foods or supplements.  One noted property of the oil is that it is an effective diuretic, and both stimulates the ability of the liver and kidneys to effectively filter out toxins from the body and encourages the regularity of urination and perspiration to remove toxins.  Cumin oil also promotes healthy digestive function and decreases the introduction of excess gasses during digestive processes, increasing the body’s ability to naturally glean nutrients from previously consumed foods and other supplements. These claims are not approved by the FDA.

Cumin Essential Oil Safety

This oil is safe to ingest in small quantities; however users should exercise caution and limit direct ingestion to small dosages, as highly concentrated doses may cause nausea or vomiting. It is likely to irritate the skin if applied directly in a high concentration; dilute with a carrier oil or lotion prior to topical use in order to minimize the risk of irritating sensitive skin. Cumin oil has noted to increase sensitivity to sunlight, so avoid direct exposure for approximately 12 hours after a topical application; also store in a cool, dry place to avoid direct contact with sunlight.  The use of essential oils should not be substituted for any prescribed medication for any medical condition, and should not be used against the advice of a medical practitioner.

Cumin Essential Oil Substitutes

The benefits of cumin oil are not backed by scientific studies.  As mentioned above, essential oils should never be substituted medications prescribed by a doctor or against the recommendation of a medical practitioner.  However the benefits of this spicy oil may be used to complement medications and supplements that target specific ailments.  For example, ingesting after eating a meal can reduce the effects of indigestion and alleviate the effects of excess gas, but it should not be used in place of prescribed bloating and indigestion medications.

Cumin Essential Oil Blends Well With

Cumin oil can be blended with other like-acting oils to compound the beneficial effects of both oils.  For example, combining with coriander essential oils to create an after-dinner supplement can lead to a greater reduction of potential indigestion issues.  To create a more powerful weight loss supplement, consider a combination with other metabolism boosting essential oils such as bergamot or coriander.  Other oils known for their ability to break down fats, such as cinnamon or peppermint oil, can also compound on its weight loss enhancing benefits.  To create a pleasant aromatic blend, consider combining with with oils that complement its spicy scent.  Some other potential pairings include angelica, caraway, chamomile, and coriander.

The benefits of cumin extend far beyond its popularity as a spice in culinary dishes in every part of the world.  Both the herb and the essential oil have numerous medicinal and health enhancing benefits, though those benefits are highly concentrated in the oil.  The spicy herb’s oil is used to protect the body from infection and disease, and has antiseptic properties that extend those benefits towards its use as a topical application to help heal and protect wounds.  It also has the power to support the digestive system, enhancing the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and reduce the effects of indigestion and excess gas.

Disclaimer

Can cumin oil really help you lose weight?  There are no published and scientifically backed studies that would support this claim, and the FDA does not evaluate any stated health benefits of essential oils.  Essential oils should never be used in place of prescribed medication or specifically to treat or diagnose any illness, nor should they be used against the advice of a doctor.  However avid users of essential oils have reported feeling healthier and losing weight more easily when supplementing healthy lifestyle practices with cumin oil, and similar testimonials exist for the other benefits detailed in this article.