Importance of Cuminum cyminum L. and Carum carvi L. in traditional medicaments – a review

A number of Indian spices are used as rejuvenators as well as for treating various disease conditions. They may be tonics, antipyretics, aphrodisiacs, expectorants, hepatoprotectives, antirheumatics, diuretics, etc. Cuminum cyminum and Carum carvi are the sources of cumin and caraway seeds respectively, which have been used since antiquity for the treatment of various indications in traditional healing systems in wide geographical areas. Cumin and caraway seeds are rich sources of essential oils and have been actively researched for their chemical composition and biological activities. However, proper methodologies for the research and development are the need of the day for tapping the full therapeutic potentials of Indian spices. This review highlights the significance of cumin and caraway as potential source of diverse natural products and their medicinal applications.