Cumin and caraway seeds(Black Cumin) are rich sources of essential oils and have been actively researched for their chemical compositionand biological activities Cuminum cyminum and Carum carvi are the sources of cumin and caraway seeds . Ayurveda is an ancient Indian therapeutic system, which is based on the curative properties of plants and plant derived products. Cumin andcaraway products (oils as well as their aqueous and solvent derived extracts) have shown significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-carcinogenic, antidiabetic properties. Cumin as well as caraway seeds are prominently considered carminative, eupeptic, antispasmodic, astringent and used in the treatment of milddigestive disorders, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, morning sickness, colic, dyspeptic headache and bloating, and are said to promote theassimilation of other herbs and to improve liver function. They have also been used in bronchopulmonary disorders and as a cough remedy, aswell as an analgesic. Vapors from caraway seeds are reported to give relief in patients suffering from lumbago and rheumatism. Mixture of caraway seeds, alcohol and castor oil has been used for the treatment of scabies. In traditional medicine of Tunisia, cumin is considered abortive, galactagogue, antiseptic, antihypertensive herb , while in Italy, it is used asbitter tonic, carminative, and purgative.In indigenous Arabic medicines, the seeds are documented as stimulant, carminative, and attributedwith cooling affect and therefore form an ingredient of most prescriptions for gonorrhea, chronic diarrhea and dyspepsia; externally, they areapplied in the form of poultice to allay pain and irritation of worms in the abdomen. Seeds reduced to powder, mixed with honey, salt andbutter are applied to scorpion bites. In Poland, caraway is recommended as a remedy to cure indigestion, flatulence, lack of appetite, and as a galactagogue. In Russia, it is alsoused to treat pneumonia. In Great Britain and USA, it is regarded a stomachic and carminative. In Malay Peninsula, caraway is one importantmedicinal herb, and in Indonesia, it is used in the treatment of inflamed eczema. From: Ankur.
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