Besides adding culinary sophistication to our cooking, integrating herbs and spices into the diet offers significant health benefits. Seasonings are known to have helpful and/or healing effects on many conditions, including nausea, infections, inflammatory problems, autoimmune disorders, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and digestive disorders.
Every spice and herb used in my recipes has one or more of these benefits. For example, turmeric helps reduce symptoms of arthritis and tendonitis, while cayenne has anti-coagulating properties and aids in circulation. Garlic helps heal colds and sore throats, while coriander can relieve joint inflammation. In a nutshell, herbs and spices are generously used in my recipes for flavor as well as for their healing and medicinal properties.
Cumin is one of my favorite spices. It is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum, a member of the parsley family. Its seeds were excavated at Tell ed-Der, a Syrian archeological site, around the second millennium BC, as well as at several ancient Egyptian sites. It's obviously been around for thousands of years.
Cumin stimulates the appetite and is invaluable as a digestive aid. In Ayurvedic circles it is considered a cleansing spice, as it helps eliminate digestive toxins. It also eases pain caused by indigestion, flatulence, or heaviness of the stomach, and reduces superficial inflammation by flushing toxins out of the body. Ayurvedic practitioners also believe cumin is an aphrodisiac.
Cumin is also known for increasing milk production in lactating mothers. Cumin is a skin-friendly herb and has a cooling effect on the body and reduces itching.
Used as a gargling solution, cumin freshens the mouth and eliminates foul odors. Prepared as a tea with a small piece of ginger it will relieve symptoms of the common cold.
It is delicious when added to a freshly chopped salad of tomatoes, cucumber, and a dab of olive oil.
If you would like to start using Cumin in your diet, I recommend the following delicious recipe that my uncle Hubert used to make when I used to live in India.
Cumin Chicken (Serves 4)
Ingredients
1 large red onion
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, chopped
2 tablespoons water
4 large pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 tsp turmeric
4 bay leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1 each green and red bell pepper, chopped
Directions
1. In blender, puree onions, garlic, ginger and 2 tablespoons water.
2. Except for bell peppers, mix ingredients in bowl with the paste from blender. Let sit 30 minutes.
3. In a skillet, bring ingredients to a boil, then lower to simmer and cook, covered, until chicken is done.
4. Add bell peppers and let sit 5 minutes to allow curry to absorb them. Serve over steamed rice.
To Your Longevity and Abundant Living!
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