Though modern technology has provided many advances in the realm of health and sanitation, looking back to ancient cultures and studying what herbs and practices they utilized can be very valuable. Often, we find that the substances they used can still be effectively employed today. Cumin essential oil was cultivated and used extensively in ancient cultures as a way to treat and prevent infection and digestive issues, as well as a way to prevent food from going bad, and its applications are still relevant for us today.
The ancient Egyptians and Hebrews cultivated cumin for ceremonial and medicinal uses, while the Greeks and Romans used it for soothing digestive complaints and to season food. But beyond just being a pleasant and flavorful seasoning, researchers have found that cumin also increases the activity of a well-studied protective liver enzyme known as glutathione-S-transferase. Glutathione helps the liver to detoxify itself from exposure to toxic chemicals, which is extremely important. This is most likely why Cumin is also classified as a detoxifier.
Cumin essential oil is also a powerful antiseptic, preventing cuts and wounds from getting dangerously infected. It works to treat infections of the skin as well, though special care should be taken when using it topically, as it is photosensitive. Cumin is also often used to kill harmful bacteria, and in the Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology, researchers found that cumin essential oil effectively stops the growth of toxic yeasts.
In 1993 Egyptian researchers found that cumin essential oil also blocks the growth of fungus.
Cumin essential oil is a concentrated source of phospholipids that are known to feed and repair nerve and brain tissue. These phospholipids also increase and support the integrity and flexibility of our cellular membranes. This is very important because the membranes of our cells are responsible for dictating what goes in and out of the cell and in order for the cell to do this effectively, a certain amount of membrane flexibility is required.
The health of our skin requires that our cells be healthy and functional and essential oils are masters when it comes to enhancing our cellular functionality. Ancient cultures like the Greeks and Egyptians intuitively understood this and used cumin as a way to enhance and maintain their own natural beauty and health. As a modern day cell-protector, liver detoxifier and infection fighter, cumin essential oil has proved itself to be invaluable.