Bitter jeera found to be excellent alternative medicine

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://www.personalliberty.com/news/bitter-cumin-shown-to-be-effective-alternative-medicine-800515109/?eiid=&rmid=2011_05_26_PLA_[P11245356]&rrid=243529603

Bitter Cumin Shown To Be Effective Alternative Medicine

2011/05/26

In a study that was published in the BioMed Central journal Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a team of scientists found that bitter cumin seeds contain a wide array of phenolic compounds, making the spice a powerful antioxidant.

Moreover, bitter cumin has been shown to be effective in treating diseases like vitiligo and hyperglycemia, and has antiparasitic and antimicrobial properties. Previous studies have revealed that the spice may also be effective in treating fever and pain.

Indian researchers examined bitter cumin using biochemical and biological methods. They found that it helped to eliminate free radicals and to protect DNA.

“The antioxidant activity of bitter cumin correlated with total phenol content so it may well be that an array of phenolic compounds within bitter cumin seeds are responsible for the antioxidant activity seen,” said co-author Kamatham A. Naidu.

Authors of the study noted that oxidative stress — which stems from an overabundance of free radicals in the body — can lead to atherosclerosis, neural degenerative diseases, inflammation, cancer and aging.

Bitter cumin, or Glinus oppositifolius, has been traditionally used in Malian culture to treat wounds, inflammation, ulcers, fever, malaria and other immunological conditions, according to the Oxford Journals.

To all desis, don't go easy on the jeera!

[chrissbe17 3]

http://www.personalliberty.com/news/bitter-cumin-shown-to-be-effective-alternative-medicine-800515109/?eiid=&rmid=2011_05_26_PLA_[P11245356]&rrid=243529603

To all desis, don't go easy on the jeera!

Nice article! I'm of East Indian descent from the Caribbean and we spell it geera I'm going to integrate it into more of my cooking now

[ELW 5]

We LOVE and use jeera in practically everything we eat! In fact today my meal was greens stir-fried in jeera, mustard seeds, urad daal, curry leaves and a dash of tumeric (another great seasoning with healing properties!).

But why do they call it 'bitter cumin'? It is not bitter! Or is that another variety?

[trinket 30]

Yes ELW, there are two verities of jeera, white one and black one. Its the black one which is very small in size and also the bitter one.

[ELW 5]

Oh! Obviously not the ones we are using, then.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Yes ELW, there are two verities of jeera, white one and black one. Its the black one which is very small in size and also the bitter one.

Oh, so kalajeera is the one that is mentioned here? Next time we go to grocer, we'll stock-up on it.

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

Go easy on the Jaljeera though... lol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jal-Jeera

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Go easy on the Jaljeera though... lol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jal-Jeera

Easy enough--I never found that stuff drinkable.

[ELW 5]

Easy enough--I never found that stuff drinkable.

Ditto!

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

It's an acquired taste I must say. I am a fan of black salt.

[SimranS 9]

http://www.personalliberty.com/news/bitter-cumin-shown-to-be-effective-alternative-medicine-800515109/?eiid=&rmid=2011_05_26_PLA_[P11245356]&rrid=243529603

To all desis, don't go easy on the jeera!

Even white jeera is bitter if eaten raw, which most of us don't do since we fry it in oil. Maybe by bitter they mean uncooked jeera? I never found either black or white jeera bitter after frying.