Cumin

The fruits of the plant are used. It contains essential oil rich in cuminal aldehyde or cuminal; also lactone glycosides, flavonoids and steroids. Properties attributed in traditional uses: carminative, digestive, antispasmodic, abortifacient, galactogogue, etc.... No toxicity has been found for the regular use of cumin. ^{(Fitoterapia.net, Sowbhagya 2013, Johri 2011)}

Several of its components, such as cuminic aldehyde, are excreted in breast milk. ^{(Debong 2024)}

Plant widely used as a spice and in infusions for therapeutic purposes since millennia, including during breastfeeding as a galactogogue ^{(Erarslan 2024, Johri 2011)} and to treat infantile colic. ^{(Abdulrazzaq 2009)}

The effectiveness of cumin as a galactogogue has not been proven, as the studies on this subject have important methodological limitations ^{(Farshad 2024, Mehta 2014, Sharma1996)}. The best galactogogue is frequent demand breastfeeding with correct technique in a mother who retains her self-confidence. ^{(ABM 2018 and 2011, Mannion 2012, Forinash 2012)}

Because lack of toxicity at usual dosing a moderate consumption during breastfeeding would have a low or nil risk.

Precautions when taking plant preparations ^{(Anderson 2017, Powers 2015, Posadzki 2013, Efferth 2011, Kopec 1999, Hsu 1995)}:

• Ensure they are from a reliable source. Poisonings have occurred from mistaking one plant for another with toxic properties ^{(Hsu 1995)}, poisonings from containing heavy metals that they extract from the soil, and food poisonings from contamination with bacteria or fungi. ^{(Anderson 2017)}
• Do not take in excess. Follow recommendations of professional experts in phytotherapy. “Natural” products are not good in any quantity: plants contain active substances from which much of our traditional pharmacopoeia has been obtained and can cause intoxications or act as endocrine disruptors if consumed in exaggerated quantity or time, as they contain phytoestrogens. ^{(Powers 2015, Zava 1998)}