Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Cumin

Cumin essenital oil is extracted from seeds renowned for their effectiveness in treating digestive discomforts. Cumin essential oil is recommended for its exceptional calming properties, particularly in cases of tension or sleep disorders.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Appropriate

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Appropriate

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

Features

Properties

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Seeds

Botanical name

Cumimum cyminum

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Properties

Cumin essential oil is traditionally used for: Aerophagia, bloating and flatulence, constipation, poor digestion

Health

Wellness

Kitchen

Find out more

A real asset to the digestive system, Cumin essential oil is perfect for aiding digestion and eliminating intestinal gas after a rich, hearty meal. Analgesic and antispasmodic, Cumin essential oil is both useful for soothing digestive spasms and joint pain such asosteoarthritis,arthritis and other rheumatic conditions.

Properties

Cumin essential oil is renowned for the following health benefits:

  • Carminative, helps eliminate gas and is an aperitif, supporting the digestive system

  • Analgesic, it calms pain

  • Antispasmodic

Uses

It is traditionally used to improve the following situations:

  • Digestive and intestinal disorders: poor digestion, aerophagia, flatulence, bloating, constipation, intestinal spasms

  • Asthma

  • Arthritis, rheumatism, joint pain

In practice

Digestive and intestinal health: Mix into your oil blend. Massage or rub your blend into the abdomen.

Precautions

  • Photosensitising, do not expose to the sun for at least 12 hours after application.

  • Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or on children under 6.

  • May be irritating to the skin, always dilute well. Avoid intensive external use or use on sensitive or allergic skin (may cause irritant dermatitis).

  • Stupefying in large doses.

  • For internal use by therapist only.

  • May have an anti-oestrogenic effect, particularly in the case of hormone treatment.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Avoid contact with eyes.

  • Certain natural compounds contained in this essential oil may present a risk of allergy for certain sensitive individuals when the essential oil is incorporated into a cosmetic composition (in accordance with the 7th Amendment to the European Directive on cosmetic products (2003/15/EC)): limonene.

  • As a general rule, always carry out a test application of your mixture, in the crease of the elbow, at least 48 hours before using it.

Find out more

Cumin probably originated in the Mediterranean basin, in the Nile Valley or Asia Minor, and was found in Egypt around 5,000 years ago. The Egyptians used it for its medicinal properties, and some of the pharaohs' tombs were strewn with it. In the Middle Ages, cumin was used as a currency. In ancient Rome, this plant was very precious and well guarded.

It was one of the spices sought after by explorers on their journeys to India and North America, to be planted in royal gardens.

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Carrier Oil or Macerated Oil

Aerophagia, bloating, flatulence (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingDigestive problems

  • 1 ml of Exotic basil essential oil
  • 2 ml of Wild cumin essential oil
  • 1 ml of Tarragon essential oil
  • 2 ml of Sweet fennel essential oil

Use: 2 drops of the mixture before meals on 1/4 of a sugar cube or in a teaspoon of olive oil or honey.

Intestinal bloating (T. Telphon)

Health & wellbeingDigestive problems

Local treatment:

  • 2 ml of Cumin essential oil
  • 2 ml Peppermint essential oil
  • 2 ml of Cardamom essential oil
  • 30 ml of St John's wort carrier oil
  • 30 ml of Olive carrier oil

Use: Massage into the stomach in a clockwise direction. Repeat 1 or 2 times a day if necessary

Aroma-Zone note: St John's wort macerated oil presents a risk of increased photosensitivity. Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this preparation.

Poor digestion (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingDigestive problems

  • 1 drop of Cumin essential oil
  • 1 drop of Basil essential oil
  • 1 drop of peppermint essential oil

Use: On a suitable base (honey, sugar, maple syrup) 3 times a day.

Flatulence, bloating (Aroma news - Nard)

Health & wellbeingDigestive problems

  • 1 ml of Foeniculum vulgare var.dulce (Sweet fennel) essential oil
  • 1 ml of Cumimum cymimum (Cumin) essential oil
  • 0.2 ml of Cinnamomum verum (Cinnamon bark) essential oil
  • 0.8 ml of Carum carvi (Caraway) essential oil
  • 1 ml of Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile) essential oil
  • top up with 10 ml hazelnut or sesame carrier oil

Use: 4 to 6 drops on the stomach 3 times a day.

Digestive disorders (N. Grosjean)

Health & wellbeingDigestive problems

  • 9 ml of Caraway essential oil
  • 6 ml of Nutmeg essential oil
  • 4 ml of Coriander essential oil
  • 1 ml of Cumin essential oil

Use: Dilute the blend in a little carrier oil and rub 5 drops into the stomach and abdomen after a meal.

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Bibliography

1

'Huiles essentielles - 2000 ans de découvertes aromathérapeutiques pour une médecine d'avenir'

Dominique Baudoux

2

'The Practice Of Aromatherapy'

Dr Jean Valnet - Éditions Maloine

3

'L'aromathérapie exactement'

P. Franchomme and Dr D. Pénoël

4

'La bible de l'aromathérapie'

Nerys Purchon

5

'L'ABC des huiles essentielles'

Dr Telphon

6

'Aromatherapy'

Nelly Grosjean

7

'Les huiles essentielles pour votre santé'

G. Roulier

8

"Les cahiers pratiques de l'aromathérapie française - Pédiatrie"

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris

9

Aroma-News newsletters

NARD Association

10

"L'aromathérapie - Se soigner par les huiles essentielles"

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris

11

La cuisine aux huiles essentielles - Des recettes saines et créatives

Aymeric Pataud

12

Cuisinons avec les huiles essentielles. Des trésors de saveurs et de vitalité. Editions Anagramme.

Davy O. and Fayolle M. (2007)

13

http://www.ptitchef.com/recettes/soupe-repas-de-lentilles-epicee-a-l-huile-essentielle-de-cumin-fid-512288

14

http://www.cfaitmaison.com/sansgluten/platssg2.html#pchiche-cumin