CARAWAY

Latin: Carum carvi

Latvian: ķimene parastā, pļavas ķimene

German: Wiesen-Kümmel

Swedish: kummin

Estonian: harilik köömen

Lithuanian: paprastasis kmynas

Rusian: тмин обыкновенный

Meadow cumin is a biennial plant, 30-80 cm tall, with its characteristic smell. The

root is thick, fleshy, branched and white in color. The leaves are arranged

alternately, elongated, divided into two or three parts. The flowers are small, white or

pinkish, collected in an inflorescence - a complex shield 4-8 cm in diameter.

The fruit, an elongated, slightly flattened seed, 3-5 mm in length, bursts into two

parts when ripe, emitting a strong aroma. The plant blooms in May-June, the seeds

ripen in July-August.

Cumin seeds (Fructus Carvi) are used for medicinal purposes. Collect the seeds

early in the morning or in the evening, when at least half of the inflorescence is ripe

(its color changes). The stems are cut and hay is bundled. Dry the equipment by

spreading a cloth underneath, on which the seeds will fall as they mature. Seeds can

be stored for up to 3 years in closed containers.

MEDICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Preparations made from common cumin have antiseptic, analgesic, choleretic,

sedative properties, they stimulate the secretion of the digestive glands, help expel

phlegm from the bronchi, have an antispasmodic effect, and also relax the smooth

muscles of the internal organs. Cumin also increases the amount of milk during

lactation and promotes urine output in case of edema.

Cumin water, cumin oil and cumin essential oil are used in official medicine.

Meadow cumin is included in soothing, laxative, digestive, carminative mixtures.

Cumin essential oil is used for aromatizing medicinal products.

Thanks to the many valuable properties of meadow cumin, it is widely used in folk

medicine. It is used orally in infusions, decoctions and teas to treat chronic gastritis,

intestinal inflammation, dyspepsia in children, atonic constipation, flatulence, spastic

pain in the stomach and intestines, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, as an expectorant in

bronchitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia and bronchial asthma.

Fenugreek oil extract is used for colds and to kill skin parasites.

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE

The harmfulness of cumin is related to the essential oils present in the plant, which

can cause an allergic reaction.

Preparations containing meadow cumin are categorically prohibited for people

suffering from diseases associated with an increased content of gastric juice, as well

as various types of inflammation in the digestive tract. It is not recommended to use

the plant during pregnancy. When cumin is used together with acidic products, the

acidity of the gastric juice is strongly increased, which can cause unpleasant

sensations in the digestive tract.

MEANING OF FOOD

Meadow cumin probably does not require additional comments, it is clear that seeds

are used. It`s almost as if if you study Latvian cuisine, then where they are not used.

The plant has been used in food and as a spice for many centuries and even

archaeologists find its seeds in their excavations. The seeds are collected with the

whole plant, dried on special racks and then the seeds are ground. Store in a closed

container so as not to lose essential substances.

But you can also use cumin roots and even more, they can be preserved for the

winter with vinegar and honey. Roots are only suitable from the biennial form of the

plant and before it has started to flower. The roots are dug at the end of the first

year, in autumn, or at the beginning of the second year, in spring. Later, the roots

already become woody.Let`s remember about the safety measures when we

collect meadow cumin, so as not to collect one of the poisonous cypress instead.

agfonds.lv

Augu katalogs ir tapis ar Eiropas Savienības finansiālu atbalstu Pārrobežu sadarbības programmas 2014.–2020. gadam projekta LVIII-062 “Versts of Feelings 2” ietvaros