Cumin

Cuminum cyminum L.

Chemotype: cuminaldehyde-rich seed oil

spicymasculinesensualearthy

PLANT PART: seeds
EXTRACTION: steam distillation
AROMA NOTE: mid-base

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LEARN AS YOU COMPARE

What’s inside this oil?

Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.

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FOLLOW YOUR SENSES

Aroma & character

A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.

spicymasculinesensualearthy

Aroma intensity: 70 / 100

Soft & subtleBold & expressive

Note layer: mid-base

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A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY

Using it thoughtfully

Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.

Cited dermal maximum · leave-on: 0.4%
Phototoxicity: Phototoxic — use caution
Maximum for sun-exposed skin: 0.4%
Oxidation risk: medium

A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.

AromaWeb's cumin safety profile states that cumin oil is phototoxic and cites Tisserand and Young for a 0.4% dermal maximum.

Contraindications & cautions

moderateAvoid during pregnancy.

Read the complete safety guide

Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches

A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT

Inside the oil

6 constituents

An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.

About this composition

This record uses a directly readable 2014 GC-MS paper on western Indian cumin seed oil, which reported a cuminaldehyde-dominant profile with p-cymene, beta-pinene, alpha-terpinen-7-al, gamma-terpinene, and p-cymen-7-ol as the next largest components. Aroma and safety framing are anchored to AromaWeb's cumin profile citing Tisserand and Young for phototoxicity and a 0.4% dermal maximum.

Constituent	Typical amount	Reported range	Chemical family	Source
Cuminaldehyde	49.4%	49.4–49.4%	monoterpene aldehyde	View source Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Cuminum cyminum L. Seeds from Western India https://jmpb.areeo.ac.ir/article_108735_c825aca95438bb676cf002ab2b9e7955.pdf (Abstract and Table 1, cuminaldehyde 49.4%)
p-Cymene	17.4%	17.4–17.4%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Cuminum cyminum L. Seeds from Western India https://jmpb.areeo.ac.ir/article_108735_c825aca95438bb676cf002ab2b9e7955.pdf (Abstract and Table 1, p-cymene 17.4%)
beta-Pinene	6.3%	6.3–6.3%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Cuminum cyminum L. Seeds from Western India https://jmpb.areeo.ac.ir/article_108735_c825aca95438bb676cf002ab2b9e7955.pdf (Abstract and Table 1, beta-pinene 6.3%)
alpha-Terpinen-7-al	6.8%	6.8–6.8%	monoterpene aldehyde	View source Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Cuminum cyminum L. Seeds from Western India https://jmpb.areeo.ac.ir/article_108735_c825aca95438bb676cf002ab2b9e7955.pdf (Abstract and Table 1, alpha-terpinen-7-al 6.8%)
gamma-Terpinene	6.1%	6.1–6.1%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Cuminum cyminum L. Seeds from Western India https://jmpb.areeo.ac.ir/article_108735_c825aca95438bb676cf002ab2b9e7955.pdf (Abstract and Table 1, gamma-terpinene 6.1%)
p-Cymen-7-ol	4.6%	4.6–4.6%	monoterpene alcohol	View source Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Cuminum cyminum L. Seeds from Western India https://jmpb.areeo.ac.ir/article_108735_c825aca95438bb676cf002ab2b9e7955.pdf (Abstract and Table 1, p-cymen-7-ol 4.6%)

Profile source: Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Cuminum cyminum L. Seeds from Western India; Cumin Essential Oil: Benefits, Uses & Insights · https://jmpb.areeo.ac.ir/article_108735_c825aca95438bb676cf002ab2b9e7955.pdf ; https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/cumin-essential-oil.php

A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY

Traditional & reported uses

These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.

traditionally used in aromatherapy for a warm, earthy, spicy atmosphere
reported to support digestive comfort in culinary-aromatherapy folk use
used in perfumery for its pungent, musky-spicy facet in oriental compositions
traditionally associated with grounding, warming, comforting blends
used in very small amounts due to its intense, long-lasting aroma

Explore related intentionsStress Relief ↗

For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.

What we're still learning · 3 data gaps

Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.

The `max_dermal_pct` and `phototoxic_dermal_max_pct` values are transcribed from a public AromaWeb summary citing Tisserand and Young, not from a directly readable primary monograph page.
Odor intensity 70 normalizes AromaWeb's qualitative 'medium - strong' aroma-strength description into the archive's 0-100 scale.
No directly readable public source located in this pass gave measured volatility-rate or tenacity-hour values for cumin essential oil.