Morphological information

A slender annual, glabrous except the fruit, leaves twice of thrice 3-partite ultimate segments filiform. Umbels compound, rays few; bracts and bracteoles several linear rigid. Calyx- teeth small, subulate, unequal. Petals oblong or obovate, emariginate, white, often unequal. Fruit cylindrical, tip marrowed; primary ridges filiform, distinct, secondary usually hispidulous; vittae large, solitary under each secondary ridge, carpophere 2- partite or 2- fid. Seed somewhat dorsally compressed convene- concave.

Flowering                :

Fruiting                   :

History                   :

Parts                     : Fruit.

Status                   : It is widely cultivated.

Phytochemistry

Detection of Alpha- pinene, Alpha- phellandrene, Alpha-terpinene, limonene, p-cy nine and cuminaldehyde in seed oil by GLC (Indian perfum. 1978, 22, 164; Chem. Abstr. 1980, 92, 82217 n; Indian Perfum. 1979, 23, 34; Chem. Abstr. 1980, 1992, 116241h); isolation of epigenine 7- 0 glucopyranoside, epigenine 5- 0- glucopyranoside liteolin- 7- 0glucopyranoside (Egypt. 1. Pharm. Sci. 1979, 18, 245; Chem.Abstr. 1981, 94, 273771 f).

Medicinal

Ayurvedic system: The fruit is pungent, hot, sweet; cooling, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, carminative, ernticlysenteric, stomachache, alexipharmic, astringent to the bowels, tonic, uterine stimulant antipyretic; cures "vata" tumors, eye disease, belching; increases appetite and improves taste; beneficial in consumption, leucoderma, fever, leprosy, biliousness, scorpion- sting. Unani system: The fruit has a sharp, burning taste, an astringent, carminative, vulnerary, tonic to the intestine abertifacient, mmenagogue; stops epitasis; heals corneal opacities, ulcers and cysts. Cures haemoptysis, scabies, gonorrhea, and asthma; relieves hiccough, inflammations, and enlargements of the spleen; applied to boils and ulcers.

 

Others

The fruit is considered stomachic, carminative and astringent; useful in dyspepsia and diarrhoea. It is considered also very cooling and enters into most of the prescription for gonorrhea. It is used as a lactagogue. Cumin seeds are prescribed for snake- bite and scorpion- sting.

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