Hour 72 Ayurveda – Medicinal Herbs III
Cumin & Fennel
1. Cumin (Jeeraka) – Carum carvi
- Taste (Rasa): Predominantly pungent.
- Qualities (Gunas): Dry and light.
- Potency (Veerya): Hot.
- Post-digestive effect (Vipaka): Pungent.
Properties and Actions:
- Balances Doshas:
- Balances Kapha and Vata, especially during sluggish digestion or excess mucus.
- Therapeutic Actions:
- Appetizer (Deepana): Stimulates appetite and enhances digestion.
- Anti-spasmodic: Relieves muscle cramps and gastrointestinal spasms.
- Carminative: Reduces flatulence and discomfort in the digestive tract.
- Detoxifier: Aids in removing toxins from the body.
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation.
- Immunomodulatory and antimicrobial: Supports the immune system and protects against infections.
Remedies :
- For Digestion and Bloating:
- Dry roast 3 grams of cumin seeds until aromatic.
- Grind into a fine powder.
- Mix with a glass of skimmed buttermilk, a pinch of carom seed powder, and rock salt.
- Drink once a day after a meal.
- For Indigestion and Gas:
- Dry roast 3 grams of cumin seeds.
- Grind into a fine powder.
- Mix with warm water and drink on an empty stomach in the morning.
2. Fennel (Shatapushpa) – Foeniculum vulgare
- Taste (Rasa): Sweet, slightly bitter, and astringent.
- Qualities (Gunas): Light and dry.
- Potency (Veerya): Cooling (some scholars consider it hot).
- Post-digestive effect (Vipaka): Sweet.
Properties and Actions:
- Balances Doshas:
- Calms Vata and Kapha.
- Useful for Pitta due to cooling and digestive properties.
- Therapeutic Actions:
- Appetizer (Deepana): Enhances appetite.
- Expectorant: Helps eliminate phlegm.
- Cardiac health: Supports heart function.
- Digestive Aid: Alleviates vomiting, loss of taste, constipation, and abdominal pain.
- Reproductive Health: Relieves pain during menstruation.
- Aromatic: Combats bad breath and stimulates saliva secretion.
Remedies :
- For Digestion:
- Take 1/4th teaspoon of dry roasted fennel seeds.
- Add a pinch of rock salt and consume after meals.
- Promotes better digestion and absorption.