Talk:Jeeraka
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Jeeraka |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Cuminum cyminum L. |
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Cuminum cyminum L., popularly known as Jeeraka (Cumin), is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the family Apiaceae. Its seeds are extensively used as a spice and a prominent medicinal herb in Ayurveda for treating various gastrointestinal ailments and metabolic disorders.
English name
Cumin seeds
Therapeutic Uses
Agnimandya (digestive impairment), Atisara (diarrhoea), Krumiroga (worms)[1]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Jeeraka, Ajaji, Jirana, Kana, Kasmiri-jirak, Bahugandha
Varieties
Bhavprakasa nighantu
Mentioned 3 types of varieties[2]
- Jiraka
- Krishnajeeraka
- Kalajaji
Dhanvantari nighantu
Mentioned 4 types of varieties
- Jiraka
- Suklajiraka
- Krishnajirak
- Bruhatpali
Botanical Profile & Traditional Context
In traditional Ayurvedic texts, Jeeraka is classified under dipaniya (digestive stimulant) and pachana (carminative) groups. It helps balance Vata and Kapha doshas while promoting digestive fire (Agni).
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Pungent (katu) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Hot (ushna) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Pungent (katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Light (laghu), Rough (ruksha) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify Kapha and Vata, Helps in digestion (Dipana and Pachana) |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 7/40 | Kalyanaka Guda |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 7/53 | Trivrritadi Modaka |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 7/58 | Hemantkalina Trivrit Yoga |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 2/1/43 | Ingredient in Vrushya Mahish Ras |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 2/4/16 | Ingredient in Vrushya Mahish Ras |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 2/4/21 | Ingredient in Vrushya Pupalika |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/142 | Ingredient in Yavani shadav |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/41 | Ingredient in Krishnadi Churna |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/55 | Ingredient in Chitrakadi Ghrita |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/60 | Ingredient in Jivantyadi Yavagu |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/103 | In treatment of Kaphaja udara roga(Generalized enlargement of Abdomen) |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/125 | As an ingredient of narayana churna |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/88 | As an ingredient of pancamuladhya ghrit evum churna |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/102 | In condition of chhardi,arsha,granthi,shoola |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/113 | Ajaji should be given with Marica, etc |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/27 | As a Ingridient of dipaniya and sangrahi gana |
| 17 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/107 | As an ingredient of ajajyadi yoga dravya |
| 18 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/78 | As an ingredient of Maha -Gandha hasti agada |
| 19 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/95 | As an ingredient of Rishabhakadi agada |
| 20 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/231 | Used in the treatment of animals suffering with poison |
| 21 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 24/121 | Used as churna mixed with lavana & sneha in Vataja madatyaya |
| 22 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 24/177 | As an ingredient of Ashtanga lavana. (Kaphaja madatyaya) |
| 23 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 24/181 | Used as raga in kaphaja madatyaya |
| 24 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 24/183 | Used in pachana(digestive) |
| 25 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/22 | As an ingredient of 2nd Dviruttarahingvadi churna |
| 26 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/85 | As an ingredient of Pushkarmuladi yoga |
| 27 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/138 | Used in Vataja pratishyaya for Nasya karma |
| 28 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/216,217 | Used in Kavala (gargles/keeping thin paste of drugs in the mouth) in Arochaka. (anorexia) |
| 29 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/219 | Used in arochaka nashaka vati(Medicine for treatment of anorexia) |
| 30 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/54 | As an ingredient of Pippalyadi yoga |
Dose
1-3 gm of the drug in powder form[1]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Hingvadi churna
- Jirakadyarishta
- Jirakadi modak
Current availability
Available
- In India – Cultivated widely across India, with major production in Rajasthan and Punjab.
Phytochemical Composition
The seeds of Cuminum cyminum are a rich source of essential oil, and its chemistry has been extensively studied.[3] The main groups of constituents are:
- Volatile oil: Cuminaldehyde (the principal aldehyde), γ-terpinene, p-cymene and β-pinene.
- Flavonoids and other polyphenols: Contribute to the antioxidant profile of the seed.
- Other constituents: Fixed oil, proteins and minerals.
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Gastroprotective and Antioxidant Effects
Jeeraka is traditionally used as a digestive (dipana-pachana) drug. In experimental work, the methanol extract of cumin seeds (400 mg/kg) reduced the fasting-induced gastric ulcer score in streptozotocin-diabetic rats, restored gastric mucus glycoprotein content, raised mucosal glutathione and catalase, and lowered gastric TNF-α and lipid peroxidation. The same extract scavenged DPPH and superoxide radicals in vitro (IC50 about 300 and 1131 µg/ml respectively).[4]
Antidiabetic Activity
Cuminaldehyde and cuminol, isolated from the petroleum ether fraction of cumin distillate, were identified as insulinotropic components. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, the fraction lowered blood glucose without causing hypoglycaemia or β-cell exhaustion, and 45 days of administration improved the lipid profile.[5]
Hypolipidemic Activity
A hypolipidemic effect of Cuminum cyminum has been reported in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.[6]
Antimicrobial Activity
The essential oil of cumin (main components: cuminaldehyde 27.10%, β-pinene 25.04% and γ-terpinene 15.68%) showed antibacterial activity against all the tested major food-borne pathogenic bacteria, and cuminaldehyde was identified as a major bioactive component.[7]
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Acute Toxicity: In rats, a single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg of the methanol extract caused no morbidity or mortality over 14 days of observation.[4]
- Precautions: Use with caution in high Pitta conditions or excessive bleeding disorders due to its hot (ushna) potency (traditional precaution).
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
- Seed Powder (Churna): 1–3 g daily with warm water or honey[1].
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Constituent / Preparation | Reported Action |
|---|---|---|
| Indigestion / Agnimandya | Seed powder (traditional); methanol extract (experimental) | Digestive (dipana-pachana); gastroprotective and antioxidant in rats |
| Hyperglycemia | Cuminaldehyde, cuminol | Insulinotropic, β-cell protective |
| Dyslipidemia | Cumin seed (diabetic rat model) | Hypolipidemic |
| Bacterial infection (food-borne pathogens) | Essential oil, cuminaldehyde | Antibacterial |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1 :34
- ↑ Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Reprint Edition 2020, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Haritakyadi varga, verse no.-81,82
- ↑ Johri RK. Cuminum cyminum and Carum carvi: An update. Pharmacogn Rev. 2011;5(9):63-72. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.79101
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Vador N, Jagtap AG, Damle A. Vulnerability of gastric mucosa in diabetic rats, its pathogenesis and amelioration by Cuminum cyminum. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2012;74(5):387-396. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.108413
- ↑ Patil SB, Takalikar SS, Joglekar MM, Haldavnekar VS, Arvindekar AU. Insulinotropic and β-cell protective action of cuminaldehyde, cuminol and an inhibitor isolated from Cuminum cyminum in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Br J Nutr. 2013;110(8):1434-1443. doi:10.1017/S0007114513000627
- ↑ Dhandapani S, Subramanian VR, Rajagopal S, Namasivayam N. Hypolipidemic effect of Cuminum cyminum L. on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Pharmacol Res. 2002;46:251-255. doi:10.1016/S1043-6618(02)00131-7
- ↑ Wongkattiya N, et al. Antibacterial activity of cuminaldehyde on food-borne pathogens, the bioactive component of essential oil from Cuminum cyminum L. collected in Thailand. J Complement Integr Med. 2019;16(4). doi:10.1515/jcim-2018-0195