Cumin Essential Oil (Cuminum cyminum)

Overview

Cumin may also be referred to as Cuminum seeds, Jeera. It is typically processed using steam distilled as a method for extracting oil from the seeds.

Summary

When intending to purchase Cumin Essential Oil, it's important to ensure that you double check the method of extraction to ensure that it's steam distilled. If you see that the method of extraction is listed as being cold pressed or expeller pressed, the oil is a carrier oil (vegetable oil) and is not an essential oil. The steam distilled essential oil and the cold pressed carrier oil each offer numerous, but different benefits.

Cumin Essential Oil appears to be comprised primarily of monoterpenes and aldehydes. It's primary component is Cuminaldehyde. Aromatically, a little goes a long way. The oil possesses a rich, spicy, earthy aroma that some find sensual. It is sometimes used within fragrancing applications, and it blends especially well with other oils within the spice, wood and citrus families.

For more information about Cumin Essential Oil, read the details shown below, and be sure to read the the Safety Information section below to learn more about its photo toxic risk within dermal applications.

Essential Facts

  • Aroma Description:

    Earthy Sensual Spicy

  • Common Name(s): Cuminum seeds, Jeera
  • Synonyms(s) for Cuminum cyminum: Cuminia cyminum, Cuminum aegyptiacum, Cuminum cyminum subsp. hispanicum, Cuminum hispanicum, Cuminum odorum, Cuminum officinale, Cuminum sativum, Cuminum sudanense, Cyminon longeinvolucellatum, Ligusticum cuminum, Luerssenia cyminum, Selinum cuminum

  • Botanical Family: Apiaceae
  • Botanical Genus: Cuminum
  • Major Compounds: Cuminaldehyde, Cymene, Phellandrene, Myrcene, Limonene, Farnesene, Caryophyllene
  • Perfumery Note: Middle - Base
  • Consistency: Medium
  • Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
  • Color: Deep Golden Yellow
  • Indigenous Country: Middle - Base
  • Processing Methods: Steam Distilled
  • Part Typically Used: Seeds
  • Vegan Vegan

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Colic Fatigue Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure) Indigestion Poor Blood Circulation Toxin Build-up

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Cumin:

Cumin Oil isphototoxic. Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young recommend a dermal maximum of 0.4%. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 87.] Avoid Cumin Oil during pregnancy. [Julia Lawless,The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 161.] [Robert Tisserand,Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 264.]

Safety Precautions for Cumin:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

Articles

Cumin Articles or Publications: