Cumin is the pale green seed of Cuminum cyminum, a small herb in the parsley family. Cumin seeds look like caraway and fennel, but taste quite different and have to be heated to release their aroma. The cumin seed is roasted and then ground in a spice mill before using in curry pastes. Each seed contains a 2-4% volatile oil with a pungent odor, and which is used as a flavouring and condiment. They are roasted and ground, are used in Thai curry Pastes. Cumin's therapeutic properties manifest as a stomachic, bitter tonic, carminative, stimulant and astringent.