Magical and Medicinal Uses of Cumin

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Powers: Anti-theft, Death, Exorcism, Fidelity, Healing, Love, Lust, Money, Protection

Magical Uses and History: Cumin, like most spices, has a long and rich history of being used in magic and medicine. While we cannot be certain exactly where cumin originated, it is believed to have come from Central Asia, Southwestern Asia, or the Eastern Mediterranean based on historical documents and archeological findings. 

For the Minoans of Ancient Crete, cumin was important enough that royal stores were precisely documented, which, coupled with traces of cumin found in ancient cooking pots, suggests it was prized for its culinary uses and potentially its healing properties. While cheaper than black pepper, cumin was still expensive, expensive enough that it was often used to pay debts. References to it as a currency show up in the Bible where it appears briefly in Matthew 23:23, which reads, "...For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin..." Later, a pound of cumin could be used in Medieval England to pay rent for a year's tenancy, which apparently continued for quite some time before falling out of style as the price of the spice decreased. Cumin's association with money is also seen in Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius's nickname  "cumin splitter," which referenced his fastidiousness and economical nature. He was known for calling out the improper use of pubic funds and carefully scrutinizing the use of all resources to ensure they were not being wasted. Its value and use of currency associates cumin with money and therefore can be used in spells and rituals for money or even used as a money substitute in spells. Add ground cumin to 

While priced for its culinary uses, cumin was also commonly used to treat a variety of ailments. Ancient Egyptians used it for gastrointestinal issues ranging from stomach upset and nausea to ridding of intestinal parasites. It was also used in mouth rinses and even ear instillations to treat ear infections. Pliny the Elder recommended cumin not only for its "fastidious taste" but also for its ability to treat stomach aches. Like the Egyptians, Pliny suggested mixing crushed cumin with water to create a tonic. According to ancient Ayurvedic texts, cumin was used for similar purposes, but also to enhance appetite, digestion, and lactation. By the Medieval period, healers were mixing it with wine and calling it a cure-all! Needless to say, cumin was well known for its healing abilities, making it the perfect addition to healing spells and rituals, particularly those related to gastrointestinal issues.

According to the Greeks, cumin symbolizes excessive desire, while later folklore suggests that cumin "conferred the gift of retention," aka faithfulness. During the Middle Ages, Europeans used cumin in recipes to keep lovers faithful. Cumin cakes were often given to lovers before they left for an extended period of time to keep them faithful and ensure a safe return. It was also carried by brides and grooms on their wedding day to ensure a happy, faithful marriage. However, it wasn't just retention of a partner that cumin was used for. It was also used to entrap burglars by placing cumin within valuable objects and feeding it to livestock, particularly birds, to prevent them from wandering away. Apart from ensuring fidelity, cumin was also added to wine and foods to inspire lust. This is most likely due to its warming properties and it being a mild aphrodisiac. As such, cumin can be used in spells and rituals for love, lust, fidelity, and retention. Add cumin to spell jars to protect against theft or loss, add to recipes to induce love and ensure fidelity, keep under your bed or in a spell bag in the bedroom to inspire lust and keep a partner faithful, or burn in similar spells.

Its healing properties, coupled with its ability to retain, also lend to its use in protection spells and rituals across cultures, as well as its use in hex/curse breaking and exorcisms. In ancient Egypt, cumin was often used in the mummification process, not only to help with the process but also to protect those who had been mummified, especially from grave robbers. In Germany and Italy, cumin was added to bread to keep spirits and the fae from stealing it. In other places, cumin was burned for protection or scattered around the home to drive out evil and protect against witches. As such, cumin can be used in spells and rituals for protection and hex breaking. It can be burned as an incense, crushed and rolled into spell candles, added to spell bags and jars, mixed with water, vinegar, or alcohol to create a cleansing spray, carried on your person to ward off evil and bad luck, or even hidden in expensive belongings to ensure their safety. 

Cumin can be used in a number of spells, including:

   Hex Breaking

   Love Spells

   Lust Magic

   Protection Magic

   Healing Spells

   Exorcisms

Medicinal Uses: Cumin, like other warming spices, is naturally anti-inflammatory, high in antioxidants, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, and nephroprotective, which makes it great for promoting digestion, reducing the risk of food-borne illness, improving blood sugar, reducing cholesterol levels, and promoting weight loss. As an anti-inflammatory, studies show that cumin can suppress the NF-KB signaling pathway, which reduces the production of pro-inflammatory molecules, thus lowering inflammation. As a nephroprotective, cumin helps protect the kidneys from damage by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. Furthermore, cumin helps stimulate digestive enzymes and bile production, aiding in the breakdown and absorption of food. This makes it the perfect herb to combat indigestion, nausea, morning sickness, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues.

Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, combine 1/2 teaspoon crushed cumin seeds with 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and allow the infusion to simmer for 5 minutes before removing from the heat and allowing to cool to a drinkable temperature. Strain and drink up to three times a day. Cumin seeds can also be chewed directly for relief. As a tincture, take 1 milliliter up to 4 times a day.

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*You may notice there is a new design. This is because I lost access to Photoshop when I upgraded my computer, and I am now relying on Canva. From here on out, all printables will be made in Canva and will have the design seen above. I did my best to replicate exactly what I created before, so theme-wise it should work well with my other printables and not take away from the aesthetic. 

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