This popular Asian condiment has another name - cumin. With its taste and aroma, it resembles caraway seeds used for baking. In Mediterranean cuisine, zira is used to cook almost all dishes. It is added to soups, vegetable, meat and fish dishes. Bakery products and sweet desserts are seasoned with this spice. In addition to the spicy aroma and pleasant taste, useful properties of zira, which are actively used in the treatment of certain diseases, are important.
Description of the Zira plant
This small herbaceous plant belongs to the genus of fireplaces and has only three species.
- Zira grows no more than two years. The height of the stem with branched branches reaches about 60 cm.
- Seeds are oblong, oily with silver streaks and a pleasant aroma.
- Inflorescences are large, umbellate, bright white.
- Zira has very nice, long leaves, saturated green.
For the preparation of essential oil of caraway seeds are collected still green. Next, the oblong grains are dried and ground into powder. Today, the world leader in the export of caraway seeds is India. This country accounts for more than 70% of fragrant spices.
Chemical composition
Caraway seeds contain 380 kilocalories. They contain 22.3 g of fat, about 18 g of protein and 44 g of carbohydrates. Of the vitamins, betacarotin and vitamin A were noticed. And also all the vitamins of group B and a small amount of vitamin C are present in the composition of caraway seeds.
This product has a rich mineral composition:
- A sufficiently large amount of potassium is needed to strengthen the heart muscle and normalize the water-alkaline balance.
- A lot of caraway seeds such a trace element as magnesium. Without it, it is impossible to imagine a healthy nervous system. It is extremely necessary for patients with diabetes mellitus and people suffering from high blood pressure.
- Phosphorus contained in Zira, favorably affects the hormonal background of both men and women, and also strengthens bones and promotes healthy teeth.
- Due to the large amount of calcium, this extreme product favorably affects the condition of hair and nails. It strengthens bones and is essential for older people who are prone to fractures.
Much smaller amounts of zira contain selenium, copper, manganese, zinc and iron. In addition, amino acids and proteins are found in caraway seeds. Unfortunately, the beneficial properties and contraindications of aether seasoning are practically unknown to most people. Therefore, many people do not use it, but prefer other spices.
Healing properties
To date, the following beneficial properties of zira are known:
- Medicinal decoctions and diuretics are made from the seeds of this plant.
- Until recently, doctors recommended the parents of young children to prepare caraway decoction from gastric colic.
- A caraway of caraway seeds can be used against bad breath. For this, a teaspoon of seeds was brewed in 1 cup of boiling water, allowed to infuse, and rinsed with the resulting broth two or three times a day.
- To enhance lactation, it was recommended to drink boiled milk with zira seeds. The beneficial properties of this plant to increase the amount of breast milk are used in Central Asia.
- Since this plant has diuretic properties, it can be used for the prevention of urolithiasis and the treatment of diseased kidneys. To do this, before dinner, you should brew green tea with the addition of 1 teaspoon of caraway seeds and drink in warm form in small sips.
- To remove toxins and cleanse the rectum, special tea is brewed, which includes dill, coriander and caraway seeds. Thanks to the beneficial properties of zira grass, the entire digestive tract can work.
- Powdered seeds are mixed with olive oil and consumed three times a day, one teaspoon each. Thus, the liver and gall bladder are cleaned. The course of treatment lasts twelve days, followed by a break during which tea from choleretic herbs is consumed.
- Seeds mixed with any natural honey are used to improve cerebral circulation and strengthen immunity. In small quantities, this tool can be used for children from five years old and pregnant women.
- To improve joint health, cumin seed powder is mixed with honey and a small amount of medical alcohol is added. The resulting mixture is applied to the gauze tissue and applied to the diseased knee with arthrosis. The recommended course of treatment is twenty days.
- From a headache and migraine helps a decoction of caraway seeds with honey. For one cup of boiling water, you need two teaspoons of seeds. When the composition has cooled to room temperature, add a tablespoon of linden honey.
The wound healing properties of zira seeds are known. If you grind the green grains into powder and mix with pork fat, you will get an excellent ointment for the treatment of burns, diaper rash and skin ulcers.
Caraway seed oil
Caraway essential oil is used to massage the back as a warming agent. It improves blood circulation and promotes healing of the kidneys and lungs. In order to get rid of acne, cumin essential oil was mixed with any vegetable oil and used as a facial ointment.
Use in cosmetology
Due to the rich composition and the presence of the necessary vitamins and minerals that contribute to the health of the skin of the face and hair, seeds and essential oil of caraway are often used in cosmetology. Useful properties and contraindications of zira seasoning are taken into account when preparing home-made cosmetics. For example, with their help you can get rid of acne or blackheads. To do this, a few drops of cumin essential oil are added to any day face cream and used exclusively on problem areas of the skin. This oil can be dripped into balms or hair masks. Thanks to him, the hair follicles awaken and their growth is enhanced.
The anti-cellulite beneficial properties of zira are known. The crushed seeds are mixed with olive oil, a tablespoon of honey is added and the resulting composition is applied to the hips and buttocks. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to wrap the skin with cling film, and cover with a warm cloth on top. Thus, all the beneficial properties of zira will be preserved.
Contraindications
Zira has narcotic properties, so with the regular use of medicines prepared on the basis of caraway seeds, mental disorders are possible. For the same reason, it is undesirable to use seasoning during pregnancy. Known cases when excessive consumption of caraway seeds led to a miscarriage. Since the beneficial properties and contraindications of zira seasoning have not yet been fully studied, it is not recommended to abuse it for peptic ulcer and inflammation of the mucosa. Sometimes the essential oil of this plant can cause allergies. People with gastritis also do not tolerate this seasoning.
Zira in cooking
This seasoning is used for the prevention of cancer and diabetes. In some countries, this spice is extremely popular and is used everywhere. In the countries of Asia, they are well aware of all the beneficial properties and contraindications of zira. Recipes recommend using only dry seeds.
Dishes seasoned with this spice help to strengthen health during colds. In India, he is considered a product that can enhance potency and restore the sexual function of men. A special dish is prepared for this, consisting of beans, tomatoes and a large amount of zira. In European countries, this spice is preferred to use in the preparation of bakery products. Especially delicious is pilaf with the addition of seeds. When preparing meals, the beneficial and harmful properties of zira seasoning should be considered.
Storage rules
Keep in mind that powdered seeds are not stored for long. Over time, they lose their aroma and taste, and also noticeably weaken the beneficial properties of zira. Any spices should be stored in a sealed glass container in a cool, dry place. Usually, the shelf life is 180 days.