The good old jeera is not only for taste and flavour, it has multi-fold health benefits which you need to reap, says ROSHANI DEVI
Just the other day, my young ones went on a chaat-eating spree in the crowded, dirty bylanes of Old Delhi. We all know how street food in monsoons is a big no-no but my ones are convinced that the Indian gene is lakkad-hazam-patthar-hazam. Till, of course, most of them came down with an upset tummy, discomfort, gas and loose motions after the unrequired binge.
I am telling you all this because this time, I want to acquaint you with the wonder spice called jeera (cumin seeds). It is not just for flavour but carries out the more important function of keeping you in good health and saving you from a lot many common diseases.
From insomnia to bad tummy, it can tackle a wide range of discomforts which you often bring upon yourself, like my grandchildren.
But all I needed to do was give them a spoon of raw jeera and ask them to munch it thrice a day. By the end of the day, they not only felt better but also were fit enough to go for that second round of chaat, this time at a better place! So jeera gets its healing power from a substance called thymol and a whole lot of essential oils it is enriched with. Doctors say, it is also anti-carcinogenic.
My recommendation: Roasted and ground jeera powder in a teaspoon of honey first thing in the morning to cure constipation. Jeera tea for indigestion. Raw seed munch for tackling gas issues. And roasted jeera in your raita for that heady flavour. Till then!