Black Seed
Botanical name
Nigella sativa
Description
Nigella Sativa commonly known as the blackseed or black cumin originates
from the western Asia. It is also known as habbatul sawdah (blackseed)
or habbatul barakaah (blessed seed) in the Arabic language. The
blackseed is a natural herb from the Ranunculacea (buttercup) family
which comes from Western Asia and has also been cultivated in Africa,
Middle East, Far east, Mediterranean basin and parts of Europe.
The plant can grow between 16-24 inches in height and presents white
flowers wherein the nigella sativa can be found. These black seeds grow
between 3mm in length and are a rectangular shape. When rubbed together
they release a strong aromatic scent which resembles that of oregano and
the crunchy textured seeds have a strong spicy/peppery flavour with a
slight bitterness.
Evidence
The one who is fully aware of the affairs of His creation decreed that
trials and tribulations would affect us, and from these trials are some
which may affect our health and wellbeing. Therefore from His bounty He
made for every ailment a cure and from these cures He made the
blackseed. This is supported by the prophetic narration on the authority
of Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said “Use the black seed, because it
contains a cure for every type of ailment except death.” (Al-Bukhari,
Muslim, At-Tirmidhi and others)
Constituents
Black seed contains over 100 valuable nutrients and chemical components.
From its most affective ingredients is the nigella and melatin which
are active ingredients that provide digestive benefits, promote
cleansing and assist with overall eliminating action. It also contains
Nillegone and Thymoquinone which are two of the most volatile oils found
in the seeds. Nigellone offers anti-spasmodic and bronchodilating
properties and also acts as an antihistamine which helps to reduce
negative symptoms of allergy sufferers, and Thymoquinone contains
anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties and acts as an anti oxidant
which helps clean the body from toxins. Together they enhance the black
seeds affect against respiratory ailments.
The seeds have a rich supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids, a source of
21% protein, 38% carbohydrates and 35% plant fats and oils. And from
the vitamins and minerals, it contains vitamin A, B, B2, C, Niacin,
Calcium, Potassium, iron, Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium.
Other significant ingredients include: alanine, arginine, ascorbic-acid,
asparagine, campesterol, carvone, cymene, cystine,
dehydroascorbic-acid, eicosadienoic-acid, glucose, glutamic-acid,
glycine, iron, isoleucine, leucine, linolenic acid, lipase, lysine,
myristic-acid, nigellin, nigellone, palmitic-acid, phenylalanine,
potassium, beta-sitosterol, stearic-acid, stearic-acid, stigmasterol,
tannin, thymohydroquinone, thymoquinone and tryptophan.
Medical Uses
Blackseed has been for over 1400 years, and in recent centuries
increasing numbers of research have been undertaken to investigate its
properties. Since 1959 more than 200 studies were undertaken at various
international universities and many articles published in support of the
vast healing properties and superb affects of black seed on the immune
system as well as its assistance in helping the bodys own healing
process.
Research carried out by the The Cancer Immune- Biology Laboratory of
South Carolina stated that ‘Black Cumin Oil (Black Seed) generally helps
stimulate the production of bone marrow and cells of the immune system.
It increases the production of interferon, protects normal cells from
the damaging effects of viral disease, destroys tumour cells and
increases the number of antibody producing B cells.’
Due to its constituent Nigellone which offers both anti-spasmodic and
bronchodilating properties, black seed is strong against respiratory
ailments.
Studies carried out on rats by the department of bio-chemistry at the
Goziosmanpasa University medical facility in Tokat, Turkey concluded
that ‘N sativa (nigella sativa) may protect brain and medulla spinalis
tissues against oxidative stress induced by EAE (experimental autoimmune
encephalomyelitis).
Black seed is an anti-oxidant thus helps cleanse the body of toxins. It
contains immense benefits for the body and is used as a remedy to treat
wide range of ailments such as skin disorder, allergies, illnesses,
infections, conditions related to respiratory health, digestive system,
kidney and liver function, circulatory and immune system as well as
support and assist the general well being. It has been effective in
stimulating the body and its energy through treating sexual impotency,
stimulating women’s menstrual cycle and flow of breast milk and calming
the nervous system. Its properties have made it a successful remedy for
treating common problems such as fatigue, asthma and bronchial problems,
back pains, eczema, arthritis, diabetes, disorders, flu and nasal
congestion, hair loss, headaches, muscular pains, dry coughs, colic
pains, skin allergies, toothaches and ulcers.
The rich supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids found in the black seed
plays a key role in daily health and wellbeing. It helps regulate the
metabolism and the cholesterol, eliminates toxins from the body,
improves the blood circulation, balances insulin level and increases
healthier liver function.
Through vast research and recent studies it has been discovered that
black seed acts as an anti-biotic, anti bacterial, antifungal,
anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer,
anti-asthmatic, antitumor, anti-histaminic, anti hypertensive,
hypoglycaemic, and anti-bacterial, anti bronchial and immune boosting
agent.
These medical studies attest to the truthfulness of the statement of the
messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him) that
within the black seed is a cure for every disease.
Application
The black seed can be used in various medical formulas to cure numerous
ailments. From its usage is a list below of simple remedies for common
nuisances and illnesses, bear in mind that an alternative formula can be
used to achieve similar results (as are found in various books on the
black seed).
- Curing dandruff- crush black seed with vinegar and apply to the
sculp this should relieve the ailment (for acne, mix the black seed with
a little vinegar to form a paste and apply to the affected region)
- Improving memory- take a teaspoon of blacked oil with a glass of pure orange juice every morning for a period of 10 days
- Backache and muscular pains- mildly heat a little black seed oil and
then massage into the affected area alternatively powder equal
quantities of asparagus seeds, black cumin, fenugreek and caraway. Take ¼
teaspoon of powder every morning with a glass of water.
- Sleeping disorder- mix a teaspoon of black seed with some honey and water and drink before retiring to bed
- Asthma and bronchial and respiratory problems- mix a teaspoon of
black seed oil in coffee, and take twice a day. Also rub the chest with
black seed every night and inhale the vapour of black seed in hot water
- Hair loss- massage lemon juice into the hair and leave for 15-20
minutes, wash out thoroughly with shampoo, then aply black seed oil into
the sculp and continue for a period of 20 days
- Eye infection, pain and weak sight- apply the oil around the eyes
and on the eyelids before retiring to bed, and take ½ a teaspoon of
black seed oil mixed with carrot juice, for weak sight continue this
treatment until there is improvement
- Flu and nasal congestion- insert four drops of black seed into each
nostrils to relieve from nasal congestion and head cold distress
- Toothache and gum- cook some black seeds in vinegar then add black
seed oil. Rinse the mouth with this combination to ease toothache and
help gums (or even simpler mix a half a teaspoon of black seed oil with
warm water and gargle in the mouth, apply oil on the affected tooth for
quick relief)
- Healthy complexion- mix black seed oil with an equal amount of olive
oil, massage into the face and leave for an hour, then wash out with
soap and water
- Diabetes- grind together equal amounts of black seed and watercress
(or mustard seed as an alternative) with half its amount of pomegranate
peal and fumitory. Take ½ a teaspoon of the mixture together with a
teaspoon of black seed oil daily before breakfast, continue treatment
for a period of one month.
- Increase in flow of breast milk- mix together 250 grams of black
seed with 250grams of pure honey, stir and take one tablespoon with
black seed oil twice a day
- Vomiting- take half a teaspoon of fresh ginger juice mixed with equal amount of black seed oil, twice a day.
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