Cumin Interactions Overview

Additional Details

Is Cumin Safe? Are There Any Warnings?

Cumin, a plant native to the eastern Mediterranean to southern Asia, is generally considered safe when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. It has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US. When used orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts, cumin powder or essential oil is possibly safe for short-term use. However, there is insufficient reliable information about their long-term oral use. It is recommended to avoid using cumin in excessive amounts during pregnancy and lactation due to insufficient reliable information available.

Common Side Effects to Watch For

Orally, cumin powder and essential oil are generally well tolerated in the short term. The most common adverse effect is gastrointestinal upset. Topically, cumin may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Anaphylaxis is a rare serious adverse effect in sensitive individuals when used orally.

What Is Cumin Typically Used For?

There is insufficient reliable evidence to rate the effectiveness of cumin for several conditions, including diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and obesity. More evidence is needed to determine the effectiveness of cumin for these uses.

Dosing & Administration

For adults, cumin essential oil has been used in doses of 25-225 mg daily for up to 2 months or 25-75 mg daily for up to 6 months. Cumin powder has been used in doses of 1.5-3 grams daily for up to 6 months. It is important to consult the Effectiveness section for condition-specific dosing information.

Standardization & Formulation

Cumin essential oil, cumin powder, and cumin extract have been used in clinical research.

How Is Cumin Thought to Work? What Is the Mechanism of Action?

Cumin contains various compounds that contribute to its potential effects:

• Antimicrobial effects: Cumin essential oil and the constituent cuminaldehyde have shown antibacterial and antifungal activity.
• Anti-inflammatory effects: Cumin is of interest for the treatment of metabolic syndrome, but its effects on oxidative and inflammatory indices require further research. In vitro studies suggest that cumin essential oil has some effects on inflammatory mediators.
• Hypoglycemic effects: Cumin is being studied for its potential to treat diabetes. Animal research suggests that the flavonoids in cumin may influence insulin secretion and have antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effects.
• Hypolipemic effects: Some research indicates that cumin may help reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, possibly due to glycoside saponins and phytosterols that reduce cholesterol absorption and increase fecal excretion.
• Insecticidal effects: Cumin essential oil and cuminaldehyde have exhibited strong larvicidal effects.
• Phototoxic effects: Cumin essential oil has been reported to cause phototoxic effects, although these effects are not attributed to cuminaldehyde.

Pharmacokinetics

There is insufficient reliable information available about the pharmacokinetics of cumin.

Interaction Overview (See Full List At Bottom Of Page)

Cumin may interact with anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs, antidiabetes drugs, and rifampin. Caution is advised when using cumin in combination with these substances. There are no significant interactions currently known with other drugs, supplements, conditions, or lab tests.

Drugs that interact with Cumin