Cuminum cyminum
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644014688c829202757248 |
| Scientific name | Cuminum cyminum |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 254 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Ethnobotanical Uses
The seeds of Cuminum cyminum have long been prepared as teas and decoctions for digestion. Among the ancient Greeks and Romans, Dioscorides (first century CE) and Galen (second century CE) described a warm tea of lightly crushed seeds with honey for dyspepsia and flatulence; De materia medica records the use of a boiled cumin infusion for griping pains (Dioscorides, translated edition). In classical Unani medicine, Avicenna’s Canon of Medicine advises a brief decoction of roasted seeds to stimulate appetite and relieve intestinal spasms, especially when combined with honey (Avicenna, 11th‑century text). Across North Africa and the Levant, folk practitioners continue to brew a light “cumin tea” with lemon or mint after meals, while in South Asia, an Ayurvedic decoction of whole seeds in water is used to expel gas and ease colic in children; a multi‑regional synthesis records these practices in detail (Akhondzadeh & Khorasany, 2008).
A practical preparation for a mild digestive tea is straightforward. Simmer one heaping teaspoon (about 3–4 g) of whole, slightly crushed cumin seeds in 250 ml of water for 5 minutes, then steep off the heat for an additional 5 minutes and filter. Use 1 cup, warm, after meals as needed. Cumin is generally safe in culinary amounts; however, pregnant women should use modest doses and avoid concentrated tinctures, as cumin can stimulate uterine activity (Duke, 2002).
Well‑established constituents in cumin seeds plausibly support these uses. The essential oil, comprising cuminaldehyde, p‑mentha‑1,4‑dien‑7‑al, and related monoterpenes, has antispasmodic and carminative actions documented across pharmacology references (Evans, 2009). The dried seeds also contain mucilaginous polysaccharides and fiber, which can soothe the gastrointestinal tract (USDA FoodData Central).
Today, cumin remains a staple in both the kitchen and the herbal trade. While its seeds are widely sold as a spice, modern research continues to investigate its effects on digestive comfort and metabolic markers, and warm cumin teas persist in household practice across much of North Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Whole and ground cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum L.) as a spice.
- Steam-distilled cumin essential oil, often standardized to a cuminaldehyde content of about 30–50% (range reported ~28–50%).
- Oleoresin cumin for dry blending into seasonings; dosage is kept low to avoid dominance of bitterness in flavor systems.
- Cumin seed oil (fixed oil) comprising approximately 15–22% of seed weight; major fatty acids are linoleic (~57–62%), oleic (~20–28%), and petroselinic (~13–19%).
Industrial and craft applications:
- Cumin oil is used as a flavoring agent and compounding component in processed foods and certain beverage applications where a characteristic warm, aromatic profile is desired.
- Cumin oleoresin is used to standardize and control flavor intensity in savory seasonings and marinades.
- Cumin seed oil has been investigated as an edible oil and as a precursor for epoxidized oil; the high linoleic content supports epoxidation for industrial polymers and resins.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
- Seed used whole or ground in spice blends (curry powders, chili mixes), rubs, pickles, meat products, bread and bakery items, and sauces.
- Essential oil used in micro amounts to impart cumin notes in flavor systems for processed foods and beverages; typical dosages are below flavor detection thresholds in product lines aiming for a background warmth rather than a dominant note.
- Oleoresin incorporated into dry seasonings to deliver consistent cumin notes and to reduce handling of whole seed.
Colorants and tanning:
- No confirmed use as a colorant or tanning agent is documented for Cuminum cyminum; thus not covered.
Wood and fiber:
- No documented timber or fiber applications are reported; thus not covered.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
- Cumin oil is used at low levels in perfumery to provide a warm, spicy effect and can be part of amber or Oriental accords; dermal applications typically require restriction due to potential sensitization risk.
Properties relevant to use:
- The warm, aromatic, and slightly bitter aroma profile derives from essential oil components dominated by cuminaldehyde (4-isopropylbenzaldehyde), with p-mentha-1,3-dien-7-al and related terpenes contributing to character.
- Volatile oil content of seeds is commonly around 2.0–4.5% (w/w); cuminaldehyde typically accounts for ~30–50% of the oil.
- Seed fixed oil shows high linoleic acid content (57–62%) supporting film-forming and polymer applications when epoxidized; oleic and petroselinic acids support stability and plasticizing behavior.
Standards and regulation:
- Spices and flavorings are subject to general food safety legislation (e.g., Codex Alimentarius, national food codes). Flavoring standards commonly reference flavoring monographs (e.g., FEMA GRAS, Council of Europe) and allergen labeling frameworks.
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Cumin is cultivated as an annual crop in arid to semi-arid regions; quality and yield are sensitive to drought and high-temperature conditions during seed filling and harvest, with conventional breeding emphasizing yield, seed size, and essential oil composition.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Luerssenia cyminum | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 268 (1891) |
| Ligusticum cuminum | Crantz | Cl. Umbell. Emend. : 82 (1767) |
| Selinum cuminum | E.H.L.Krause | Deutschl. Fl. Abbild. , ed. 2, 12: 91 (1904) |
| Cuminia cyminum | J.F.Gmel. | Syst. Nat., ed. 13[bis]. 2(1): 484. 1791 [late Sep-Nov 1791] |
| Cuminum aegyptiacum | Mérat ex DC. | Prodr. 4: 201 (1830) |
| Cuminum hispanicum | Mérat ex DC. | Prodr. 4: 201 (1830) |
| Cuminum odorum | Salisb. | Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton : 165 (1796) |
| Cuminum officinale | Garsault | Fig. Pl. Med. 2: t. 239. 1764, nom. inval., opus utique oppressum; Descr. Pl. Anim. 155. 1767; Thell. in Bull. Herb. Boiss. Ser. II. viii. 789. |
| Cuminum sativum | J.Sm. | Bible Pl. : 61 (1878) |
| Cyminon longeinvolucellatum | St.-Lag. | Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon 7: 65 (1880) |
| Cuminum cyminum var. hispanicum | (Mérat ex DC.) Lange | Prodr. Fl. Hispan. 3: 31 (1874) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | cumin |
| English | cumin plant |
| English | cheese cumin |
| English | roman caraway |
| English | roman cumin |
| English | spice caraway |
| English | spice cumin |
| Spanish | comino |
| Spanish | alcamonia |
| Spanish | comino comun |
| Spanish | comino común |
| Spanish | comino fino |
| Spanish | comino hortense |
| Spanish | comino real |
| Spanish | cominos |
| Spanish | ligusticum cuminum |
| Spanish | cuminum hispanicum |
| Spanish | cuminum odorum |
| Spanish | cuminum officinale |
| Spanish | cyminon longeinvolucellatum |
| Spanish | luerssenia cyminum |
| ace | jeura putéh |
| Afrikaans | komyn |
| ang | cymen |
| Arabic | الكمون |
| Arabic | كمون |
| Assamese | জীৰা |
| Azerbaijani | adi cirə |
| azb | عادی جیره |
| bcl | kumino |
| Bulgarian | кимион |
| Bengali | জিরা |
| Bengali | জিরা গাছ |
| br | koumin |
| Catalan | comí |
| ceb | kamin |
| ceb | kumin |
| ceb | cumin |
| ceb | cummin |
| ceb | kyumin |
| ceb | komino |
| Czech | kumin |
| Czech | cumin |
| Czech | Římský kmín |
| Czech | kmín římský |
| Welsh | cwmin |
| Danish | spidskommen |
| German | cumin |
| German | kreuzkümmel |
| German | mutterkümmel |
| German | römischer kümmel |
| German | weißer kümmel |
| German | welscher kümmel |
| German | kumin |
| dv | ދިރި |
| Greek | Κύμινο |
| Esperanto | oficina kumino |
| Esperanto | kumino |
| Basque | kumino |
| Persian | زیرهٔ سبز |
| Persian | زیره سبز |
| Finnish | juustokumina |
| Finnish | roomankumina |
| Finnish | jeera |
| French | cumin blanc |
| French | cumin de maroc |
| French | faux anis |
| French | cumin |
| Irish | cuimín |
| Galician | comiño |
| gom | जिरें |
| Gujarati | જીરુ |
| Gujarati | જીરું |
| Hebrew | כמון |
| Hindi | जीरा |
| Hindi | ज़ीरा |
| Croatian | kumin |
| Hungarian | római kömény |
| Hungarian | borsoskömény |
| Hungarian | egyiptomikömény |
| Hungarian | rómaikömény |
| Armenian | Եփութուխ:Չաման |
| Indonesian | jintan putih |
| io | kumino |
| Italian | cumino romano |
| Italian | cumino |
| Japanese | ウマゼリ |
| Japanese | クミンシード |
| Japanese | ばきん |
| Japanese | バキン |
| Japanese | 馬芹 |
| Japanese | クミン |
| jv | jinten putih |
| Georgian | ძირა |
| Kabyle | takamimt |
| Kazakh | Зира |
| Kannada | ಜೀರಿಗೆ |
| Korean | 쯔란 |
| Korean | 쿠민 |
| ks | زیٛوٗر |
| ku | kemyon |
| ku | kîmyon |
| ku | zîre |
| ku | reşke |
| lb | kräizkimmel |
| lez | Гьефер |
| Lithuanian | kuminas |
| Latvian | romiešu ķimenes |
| Latvian | kumīns |
| mai | जीरा |
| Malagasy | komina |
| Malayalam | cumin |
| Malayalam | വെള്ള ജീരകം |
| Malayalam | ജീരകം |
| Marathi | जिरे |
| Marathi | जीरे |
| Malay | jintan putih |
| mt | kemmun |
| Burmese | ဇီယာ |
| Norwegian Bokmål | spisskarve |
| Norwegian Bokmål | spisskummen |
| Norwegian Bokmål | cumin |
| Norwegian Bokmål | spisskum |
| Norwegian Bokmål | spisskummin |
| Nepali | जीरा |
| Dutch | komijn |
| Dutch | djintan |
| Dutch | djinten |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | spisskum |
| Oriya | ଜିରା |
| os | Зира |
| Punjabi | ਜੀਰਾ |
| Polish | kmin rzymski |
| Polish | kumin |
| Polish | jeera |
| Polish | kmin indyjski |
| Polish | cuminum odorum |
| pnt | κυμιόνιν |
| Portuguese | cominho |
| Portuguese | cominhos |
| Romanian | chimion |
| Russian | Кумин |
| Russian | Зар |
| Russian | Затр |
| Russian | Зэра |
| Russian | Каммун |
| Russian | Кмин тминовый |
| Russian | Римский тмин |
| Russian | Зира |
| sa | जीरिका |
| sa | जीरकम् |
| sco | cumin |
| sd | اڇو جيرو |
| Sinhala | සූදුරු |
| Slovak | rascovec obyčajný |
| Slovenian | orientalska kumina |
| Slovenian | rimska kumina |
| Slovenian | laški kumin |
| Slovenian | malteška kumina |
| Slovenian | rimska kumna |
| Slovenian | zamurski kumen |
| Slovenian | zamorski kumen |
| Serbian | Кумин |
| su | jinten bodas |
| Swedish | spiskummin |
| Swedish | ostkummin |
| Swahili | jira |
| Tamil | சீரகம் |
| tcy | ಜೀರ್ದರಿ |
| Telugu | జీలకఱ్ఱ |
| Telugu | జీలకర్ర |
| tg | Зира |
| Thai | ยี่หร่า |
| Turkish | kimyon |
| Ukrainian | Зіра |
| Urdu | زیرہ |
| Uzbek | zira |
| Uzbek | sariq zira |
| Vietnamese | thì là ai cập |
| vls | komyn |
| Chinese | 孜然 |
| Chinese | 孜然芹(香旱芹) |
| Chinese | 孜然芹 |
| Chinese | 安息茴香 |
| Chinese | 枯茗 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Africa click to expand
-
Northeast Tropical Africa
- Eritrea
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Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Libya
- Morocco
- Tunisia
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West Tropical Africa
- Benin
-
Northeast Tropical Africa
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
Arabian Peninsula
- Saudi Arabia
-
Caucasus
- Transcaucasus
-
China
- Xinjiang
-
Middle Asia
- Kazakhstan
- Uzbekistan
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Western Asia
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon-Syria
-
Arabian Peninsula
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Bangladesh
- East Himalaya
- India
- Pakistan
-
Indo-China
- Andaman Islands
- Laos
- Nicobar Nicobar
-
Indian Subcontinent
-
Europe click to expand
-
Southeastern Europe
- Bulgaria
- Sicilia
-
Southwestern Europe
- France
- Spain
-
Southeastern Europe
-
Northern America click to expand
-
Mexico
- Mexico Northeast
-
Northeastern U.S.A.
- Massachusetts
-
South-central U.S.A.
- Texas
-
Mexico
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000629277 |
| UNII | 5BD8A7OW68 |
| USDA Plants | CUCY |
| Tropicos | 1700068 |
| INPN | 93564 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:840882-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2747364 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 961856 |
| Observations.org | 6667 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 52462 |
| NBN Atlas | NBNSYS0000014748 |
| Nature Serve | 2.145911 |
| IPNI | 840882-1 |
| iNaturalist | 161251 |
| GBIF | 3034775 |
| Freebase | /m/01qs2 |
| EPPO | CVUCY |
| EOL | 488085 |
| Elurikkus | 353884 |
| USDA GRIN | 12617 |
| Wikipedia | Cumin |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Cumenes | |||||
| 4-Isopropylphenol | 7465 | Click to see | 136.19 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| > Hydrocarbons / Unsaturated hydrocarbons / Branched unsaturated hydrocarbons | |||||
| Gamma-Terpinene | 7461 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Endocannabinoids | |||||
| 1,3-Dihydroxypropan-2-yl 3,8-diacetyloxyicosanoate | 163021367 | Click to see | 502.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00103-1 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| Linalool | 6549 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| Myrcene | 31253 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids | |||||
| 4-Isopropylbenzoic acid | 10820 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(=O)O | 164.20 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF980226+ |
| 4-Isopropylbenzyl alcohol | 325 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC=C(C=C1)CO | 150.22 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114513000627 |
| Cuminaldehyde | 326 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC=C(C=C1)C=O | 148.20 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APRADISO.2014.01.003 https://doi.org/10.1021/JF980226+ https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114513000627 https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 https://doi.org/10.1016/0740-0020(86)90017-1 |
| P-Cymene | 7463 | Click to see | 134.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| Thymol | 6989 | Click to see | 150.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| (+-)-alpha-Pinene | 6654 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| (5S)-4-methylidene-1-propan-2-ylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexane | 6429260 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| 3-Carene | 26049 | Click to see CC1=CCC2C(C1)C2(C)C | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| Beta-Pinene | 14896 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| Camphene | 6616 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| Sabinene | 18818 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| Trans-alpha-Bergamotene | 6429302 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| 4-Terpineol, (+/-)- | 11230 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)(C(C)C)O | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| alpha-PHELLANDRENE | 7460 | Click to see CC1=CCC(C=C1)C(C)C | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| Alpha-Terpinene | 7462 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| Alpha-Terpineol | 17100 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| Beta-Phellandrene | 11142 | Click to see CC(C)C1CCC(=C)C=C1 | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| Limonene, (+/-)- | 22311 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)C | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| p-Menth-3-en-7-al | 15601950 | Click to see | 152.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| Terpinolene | 11463 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-Isocaryophyllene | 5281522 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| beta-Farnesene, (6Z)- | 5317319 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=C)C=C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698034 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides | |||||
| (3R,3aS,5S,6R,9aS,9bR)-6-hydroxy-3,6,9-trimethyl-5-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3,3a,4,5,5a,7,9a,9b-octahydrobenzo[g][1]benzofuran-2-one | 101252066 | Click to see CC1C2CC(C3C(C2OC1=O)C(=CCC3(C)O)C)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 428.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00103-1 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Guaianolides and derivatives | |||||
| (6S,6aS,9aS,9bS)-3,6,9-trimethyl-6-[(2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-4,5,6a,7,9a,9b-hexahydroazuleno[4,5-b]furan-2-one | 637313 | Click to see CC1=CCC2C1C3C(=C(C(=O)O3)C)CCC2(C)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 410.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00103-1 |
| (6S,6aS,9aS,9bS)-3,6,9-trimethyl-6-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-4,5,6a,7,9a,9b-hexahydroazuleno[4,5-b]furan-2-one | 101252065 | Click to see CC1=CCC2C1C3C(=C(C(=O)O3)C)CCC2(C)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 410.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00103-1 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| Benzyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside | 13254166 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00103-1 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Sugar alcohols | |||||
| Mannitol | 6251 | Click to see | 182.17 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00103-1 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Diazines / Pyrimidines and pyrimidine derivatives / Pyrimidones | |||||
| Uracil | 1174 | Click to see | 112.09 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00103-1 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |