Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) has been traditionally used in various cultures for digestive complaints, but in recent years, some scientific studies have evaluated its effects specifically in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Several small clinical trials and pilot studies suggest that cumin extract may help alleviate IBS symptoms. For example, a well-cited double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in 2013 in the journal Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases investigated the effects of cumin extract drops in patients with IBS. The study found significant improvements in abdominal pain, bloating, and frequency of defecation in the cumin group compared to baseline. Other similar studies, albeit with small sample sizes and varying methodologies, have reported reductions in common IBS symptoms such as abdominal discomfort and altered bowel habits.

The proposed mechanisms include cumin’s antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and carminative properties, which may help reduce gut motility disturbances and excessive gas production associated with IBS. However, the evidence remains preliminary: most studies are small, short-term, and sometimes lack rigorous controls. Major gastroenterological guidelines do not yet endorse cumin as a standard treatment for IBS due to limited high-quality data. Thus, while there is a traditional basis for its use and an emerging body of scientific evidence indicating potential benefit, larger and more robust studies are needed to firmly establish efficacy and safety.