Plant Profile

Cumin

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 14, 2026

Cuminum cyminum

Family: Apiaceae · Parts used: Seed · Also known as: Roman cumin, jeera, zira

The complete database record: 1 documented constituent, 5 pharmacological actions, 10 traditional / indicated uses, with 23 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Slender annual herb with finely divided, thread-like leaves similar to dill or fennel but smaller. Small white or pale pink flowers are borne in small compound umbels, followed by small, ridged, boat-shaped, strongly aromatic seeds.

Height: 20-30 cm

Habit: Slender, low-growing annual herb

Leaves: Finely divided, thread-like, similar to dill but smaller

Flowers: Small white or pale pink flowers in small compound umbels

Stem: Slender, branching

Root: Slender taproot

Fruit: Small, ridged, boat-shaped, strongly aromatic seed (mericarp)

Flowering Period: Summer

Habitat & Distribution

Believed native to the eastern Mediterranean and Central Asia; cultivated widely in warm, dry climates including India, the Middle East and North Africa as a major spice crop.

Harvesting

The seed heads are cut when the fruit has ripened but before it shatters, usually in mid- to late summer, then dried and threshed.

Parts: Seed

Season: Mid- to late summer

Key Constituents

Cuminaldehyde^[1]

Cuminaldehyde (4-isopropylbenzaldehyde) is the dominant constituent of cumin-seed essential oil (around two-thirds of the oil) and the main driver of its antimicrobial, antifungal (anti-aflatoxigenic) and antioxidant activity.

Essential (volatile) oil

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16]}

Antimicrobial^{[1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16]}

Antioxidant^{[1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16]}

Antispasmodic^{[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17]}

Antispasmodic (cramp easing)

Digestive aid^{[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^[3]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0026, REF-0066, REF-0067, REF-0116, REF-0147, REF-0156, REF-0158, REF-0171, REF-0175, REF-0267, REF-0286, REF-0307, REF-0654

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

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Bloating^{[3, 17]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from digestive action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0026, REF-0066, REF-0067, REF-0116, REF-0147, REF-0156, REF-0158, REF-0171, REF-0175, REF-0267, REF-0286, REF-0307, REF-0654

Evidence: 5

Label: Bloating

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →

Indigestion^{[3, 17]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from digestive action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0026, REF-0066, REF-0067, REF-0116, REF-0147, REF-0156, REF-0158, REF-0171, REF-0175, REF-0267, REF-0286, REF-0307, REF-0654

Evidence: 5

Label: Indigestion

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Infection (general)^[3]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0026, REF-0066, REF-0067, REF-0116, REF-0147, REF-0156, REF-0158, REF-0171, REF-0175, REF-0267, REF-0286, REF-0307, REF-0654, REF-0657

Evidence: 1

Label: Infection (general)

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Inflammation (general)^[3]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0026, REF-0066, REF-0067, REF-0116, REF-0147, REF-0156, REF-0158, REF-0171, REF-0175, REF-0267, REF-0286, REF-0307, REF-0654

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

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Menstrual cramps^[3]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0026, REF-0066, REF-0067, REF-0116, REF-0147, REF-0156, REF-0158, REF-0171, REF-0175, REF-0267, REF-0286, REF-0307, REF-0654, REF-0656

Evidence: 1

Label: Menstrual cramps

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Metabolic support^{[3, 8, 11, 15, 18, 19, 20]}Strong · 10/10

Evidence: 10

Label: Metabolic support

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Muscle spasm^[3]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0026, REF-0066, REF-0067, REF-0116, REF-0147, REF-0156, REF-0158, REF-0171, REF-0175, REF-0267, REF-0286, REF-0307, REF-0654, REF-0656

Evidence: 1

Label: Muscle spasm

more plants for muscle spasm →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^[3]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0026, REF-0066, REF-0067, REF-0116, REF-0147, REF-0156, REF-0158, REF-0171, REF-0175, REF-0267, REF-0286, REF-0307, REF-0654

Evidence: 1

Label: Skin irritation

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Wounds^[3]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0026, REF-0066, REF-0067, REF-0116, REF-0147, REF-0156, REF-0158, REF-0171, REF-0175, REF-0267, REF-0286, REF-0307, REF-0654, REF-0657

Evidence: 1

Label: Wounds

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Traditional Use & History

Cumin seed has an ancient culinary and medicinal history across the Middle East, South Asia and the Mediterranean as a warming digestive carminative for indigestion, bloating and cramping, and is one of the most widely used spices worldwide.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22]}Info

Food amounts are generally considered safe; in the US it’s listed as GRAS as a spice/flavoring (LactMed, 2025).

Safety note^{[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22]}Info

Allergy risk: cumin can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people; cross-reactivity is reported within Apiaceae spices (e.g., celery/coriander/fennel/cumin) and in “pollen–spice” allergy patterns (Lisiecka et al., 2025; Berghea et al., 2025).

Safety note^{[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23]}Caution

Duke (2002) rates cumin as +++ and notes carminative, digestive, and aperitif activities at experimental levels (score 1). The plant demonstrates estrogenic activity in animal studies and has antifungal and antioxidant properties. Photodermatitic potential (phototoxicity) of the essential oil is noted - users should avoid sun exposure after topical application. Duke advises caution in pregnancy due to potential emmenagogue and antifertility effects at high medicinal doses (Duke, 2002).

Harvest Readiness

^[2]

Part: seed

Signals: Cut the seed heads when the fruits (seeds) are fully ripe in late summer, before they shatter; then dry and thresh.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September … The seed is harvested when fully ripe and is then dried and stored in airtight jars

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: PFAF (REF-3241, Ken Fern lineage): seeds ripen in late summer and are harvested when fully ripe. Independent phenophase confirmation not found - Wikipedia (Cumin) gives sowing/harvest MONTHS only ('harvested by hand'), and Gernot Katzer's spice page gives no harvest stage; Gardenia.net returned 403. Single lineage -> provisional.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Plants of the World Online ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

Ben Miri, Y. and Djenane, D (2018) 'Evaluation of Protective Impact of Algerian Cuminum cyminum L. and Coriandrum sativum L. Essential Oils on Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin B1 Production', Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 21(2), pp. 67--77. doi:10.3923/pjbs.2018.67.77 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2018.67.77
Plants For A Future 'Cuminum cyminum (Cumin)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cuminum+cyminum Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cuminum+cyminum
Allaq, A.A. and Sidik, N.J (2020) 'Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.): A review of its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and biological activities'. Available at: https://bmrat.org/index.php/BMRAT/article/view/634 Traditional / reference
https://bmrat.org/index.php/BMRAT/article/view/634
Berghea, E.C. et al (2025) 'Spices, herbs and allergic reactions in children: myth or reality?'. doi:10.3389/falgy.2025.1698559/full Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.3389/falgy.2025.1698559/full
EUR-Lex (2015) 'Official Journal of the European Union C 76/2015 (Latvian text; includes “Romiešu ķimenes (cumin)'. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/LV/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ%3AC%3A2015%3A076%3AFULL Traditional / reference
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/LV/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ%3AC%3A2015%3A076%3AFULL
EUR-Lex (2020) 'Official Journal of the European Union C 108/2020 (Latvian text; includes “kumins (romiešu ķimenes)'. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/LV/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX%3A52020XC0401%2804%29 Traditional / reference
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/LV/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX%3A52020XC0401%2804%29
http://letonika.lv/ (2021) 'Latviešu—angļu vārdnīca: ķimenes (includes “Romiešu ķimenes = cumin'. Available at: http://letonika.lv/ Traditional / reference
http://letonika.lv/
Karimian, J., Farrokhzad, A. and Jalili, C (2021) 'The effect of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) supplementation on glycemic indices: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', Phytotherapy Research, 35(8), pp. 4127--4135. doi:10.1002/ptr.7075 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7075
KPBS (2015) 'Cumin: The Ancient Spice That'. Available at: https://www.kpbs.org/news/2015/03/11/cumin-the-ancient-spice-thats-traveled-the-globe Traditional / reference
https://www.kpbs.org/news/2015/03/11/cumin-the-ancient-spice-thats-traveled-the-globe
Lisiecka, M.F. et al (2025) 'Allergic reactions to spices: a review of sensitivities to pepper, cumin, oregano, anise, mustard and other spices'. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40341008/ Traditional / reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40341008/
Liu, M. et al (2025) 'Potential benefits of Cuminum cyminum L'. doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1618108/full Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1618108/full
Morshedi, D. et al (2015) 'Cuminaldehyde as the Major Component of Cuminum cyminum…', 80(10), pp. H2336--H2345. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.13016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.13016
Nabhan, G.P (2014) 'Cumin, Camels, and Caravans: A Spice Odyssey'. Available at: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520379244/cumin-camels-and-caravans Traditional / reference
https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520379244/cumin-camels-and-caravans
SekoEko (n.d.) 'Kumīns, ķimenes un citi līdzinieki!'. Available at: https://sekoeko.lv/lv/kumins-kimenes-un-citi-lidzinieki Traditional / reference
https://sekoeko.lv/lv/kumins-kimenes-un-citi-lidzinieki
Tavakoli-Rouzbehani, O.M. et al (2022) 'The effects of cumin supplementation on lipid parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs'. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9881733/ Meta-analysis / review
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9881733/
Wikisource (2018) '1911 Encyclopædia Britannica: Cumin'. Available at: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Cumin Traditional / reference
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Cumin
Amin, E.A., Ismail, E., Mahboobeh, R. and Tabandeh, S (2024) 'The effect of Cuminum cyminum on the return of bowel motility after abdominal surgery: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1). doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04530-1 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04530-1
Hadi, A., Mohammadi, H., Hadi, Z., Roshanravan, N. and Kafeshani, M (2018) 'Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is a safe approach for management of lipid parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', Phytotherapy Research, 32(11), pp. 2146--2154. doi:10.1002/ptr.6162 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6162
Tavakoli-Rouzbehani, O.M., Faghfouri, A.H., Anbari, M., Papi, S., Shojaei, F.S., Ghaffari, M. and Alizadeh, M (2021) 'The effects of Cuminum cyminum on glycemic parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2021. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114510 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114510
Morovati, A., Pourghassem Gargari, B. and Sarbakhsh, P (2019) 'Effects of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) essential oil supplementation on metabolic syndrome components: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial', Phytotherapy Research, 33(12), pp. 3261--3269. doi:10.1002/ptr.6500 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6500
Nouri, A. et al (2024) 'Phytochemical composition… (includes GC–MS profile of cumin seed essential oil)'. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11606850/ Traditional / reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11606850/
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.) 'Cuminum cyminum L'. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:840882-1 Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:840882-1
Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition

Selected studies & references

ReviewPotential benefits of Cuminum cyminum L source↗ (2025)

ReviewThe effects of cumin supplementation on lipid parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs source↗ (2022)

ReviewThe effect of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) supplementation on glycemic indices: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials source↗ (2021)

ReviewThe effects of Cuminum cyminum on glycemic parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials source↗ (2021)

ReviewCumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is a safe approach for management of lipid parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials source↗ (2018)

RctThe effect of Cuminum cyminum on the return of bowel motility after abdominal surgery: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial source↗ (2024)

RctEffects of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) essential oil supplementation on metabolic syndrome components: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial source↗ (2019)

ClinicalSpices, herbs and allergic reactions in children: myth or reality? source↗ (2025)

All 22 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

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