How This Seed Can Bring Wonders To Your Health

Black Seed (Nigella Sativa)
Image: Mountainhills at Wikipedia

"This black cumin is healing for all diseases except As-Sam (death)"
Prophet Muhammad

Nigella Sativa, also referred to as Black Seed, Black Cumin Seed, Black Caraway and Kalonji, is one of mother nature's greatest gift of healing for all of us.

Do not let its tiny form fool you. It is packed with powerful natural compounds which has proven benefits for various ailments and illnesses, ranging from pain management to even cancer!

Even the Islamic Prophet Muhammad called it "a cure for every disease except death". [1]

The Seed Of Blessing

With hundreds of published and peer-reviewed studies [2], black seed's claim as a 'cure to all disease except death' might hold some weight after all.

Just what is it in black seed that makes it such a wonder herb?

Black seed contains multiple phytochemicals which are found to be beneficial for us. The such compounds identified are Thymoquinone (TQ), Thymohydroquinone (THQ), and Thymol.

Thymoquinone
Image: Meodipt at Wikipedia

These natural compounds give black seed its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. On top of that, it serves as a great antimicrobial and antiviral agent. Studies have also shown black seed's potential as an anticancer agent.

As more research and studies are being done on this amazing seed, here are some reasons why consuming the seeds or its oil would be beneficial to us.

Image: @pozitivityspace

Anticancer: Studies has shown black seed's potential in the suppression and eradication of cancer cells.

One such study conducted has shown that thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone displays significant antitumor activity in mice. [3]

Various other studies have also shown its efficacy for breast cancer, brain cancer, leukemia, liver cancer, cervical cancer and oral cancer. [4]

Supports Liver Health: Our liver is one of the most important organs in the body, metabolising and filtering out toxins. Black seed oil has shown to be beneficial to our liver health by speeding up our liver's healing process. [5] It has also been shown to be able to suppress liver cancer. [6]

Diabetes: Consuming 2 grams of black seed per day can help reduce fasting glucose and decrease insulin resistance. [7] It also helps prevent kidney damage associated with diabetes. [8]

Weight Loss, Healthy Hair and Skin: Consuming black seed can provide an added boost to your physical well-being.

Black seed's anti-inflammatory compound have been shown to help promote weight loss. It decreases weight gain triggers by controlling the appetite, balancing the blood glucose levels as well as purging toxins in the body. [9]

The use of black seed oil can help strengthen hair follicles, giving you healthier hair and helping to restore hair loss. It also helps promote and inhibit melanin production giving you healthier skin. [10]

Antibacterial and Antiviral: The phytochemicals in black seed has show potent antibacterial and antiviral properties which are strong enough to combat the Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). [11]

The antiviral properties of black seed has been shown to be effective in decreasing the viral load of those with Hepatitis C. [12] It has also displays antiviral properties against the infectious laryngotracheitis virus [13] and cytomegalovirus virus (CMV) in mice. [14]

There is even a study published in the African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine of a patient who experienced a complete recovery from HIV. The patient went from being HIV positive to negative, with no detectable level of virus copies or HIV anitibodies in the blood. [15]

Using and Consuming Black Seed

Black Seed and Black Seed Oil
Image: 123rf.com

Black seed can be consumed as is or you could use the oil.

Personally, I consume the oil myself, as it is almost impossible to find the seed where I am. This oil has been a part of my daily routine for the past year.

The general dosage is about one teaspoon twice or thrice a day for its full therapeutic effect or just once per day for health maintenance. As work and all makes it hard for me to remember dosages and such, I would just take a tablespoon at night before bed.

The oil can be taken on its own, mixed with water or even juice.

As with all other seed oils, ensure that you get one that is organic and cold pressed without any chemical forms of extraction to enjoy its full therapeutic benefits. Also, ensure that the product packaging protects it from turning rancid too quickly.

Nature's Blessings To A Good Health

The many uses and benefits of black seed are slowly being uncovered as more research is being conducted. In my opinion, it is one of the most amazing super foods that mother nature has provided us with.

Give it a try and feel the amazing benefits this seed has to offer.

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If you would like to read up more regarding black seed, please refer to the list of resources below.

Do follow me @pozitivityspace for more updates and posts.

Disclaimer: This post is intended solely for informational purposes only. It is not and should not be viewed as medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. Please consult your healthcare professionals should you require medical advice.

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Resources:
[1] Chapter: (To Treat With) Black Cumin (Nigella Seeds)
Sahih al-Bukhari 5687, Book 7, Hadith 10

[2] Nigella Sativa
Pubmed

[3] Ivankovic S, Stojkovic R, Jukic M, Milos M, Milos M, Jurin M.
The Antitumor Activity of Thymoquinone and Thymohydroquinone In Vitro and In Vivo; Exp Oncol. 2006 Sep;28(3):220-4. PMID: 17080016

[5] Hamed MA, El-Rigal NS, Ali SA.
Effects of Black Seed Oil on Resolution of Hepato-Renal Toxicity Induced Bybromobenzene in Rats.; Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2013 Mar;17(5):569-81. PMID: 23543440

[5] Greenmedinfo
16 More Reasons Why Black Seed Is 'The Remedy For Everything But Death; 29 Nov 2013

[6] Raghunandhakumar S, Paramasivam A, Senthilraja S, Naveenkumar C, Asokkumar S, Binuclara J, Jagan S, Anandakumar P, Devaki T.
Thymoquinone Inhibits Cell Proliferation Through Regulation of G1/S Phase Cell Cycle Transition in N-Nitrosodiethylamine-Induced Experimental Rat Hepatocellular Carcinoma.; Toxicol Lett. 2013 Oct 23;223(1):60-72. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2013.08.018. Epub 2013 Sep 3. PMID: 24012840

[7] Bamosa AO, Kaatabi H, Lebdaa FM, Elq AM, Al-Sultanb A.
Effect of Nigella Sativa Seeds On The Glycemic Control of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.; Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2010 Oct-Dec;54(4):344-54. PMID: 21675032

[8] Omran OM.
Effects of Thymoquinone on STZ-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy: An Immunohistochemical Study.; Ultrastruct Pathol. 2014 Feb;38(1):26-33. doi: 10.3109/01913123.2013.830166. Epub 2013 Oct 17. PMID: 24134725

[9] Hasani-Ranjbar S, Jouyandeh Z, Abdollahi M.
A Systematic Review of Anti-Obesity Medicinal Plants - An Update.; J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2013 Jun 19;12(1):28. doi: 10.1186/2251-6581-12-28. PMID: 23777875 PMCID: PMC3691594

[10] Galus R, Zandecki Ł, Sajjad E, Jóźwiak J, Włodarski K.
Factors Affecting Melanogenesis and Methods Used for Identification of Pigmentation Disorders; Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2008 Aug;25(146):188-91. PMID: 18942345

[11] Hannan A, Saleem S, Chaudhary S, Barkaat M, Arshad MU.
Anti Bacterial Activity of Nigella Sativa Against Clinical Isolates of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus.; J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2008 Jul-Sep;20(3):72-4. PMID: 19610522

[12] Barakat EM, El Wakeel LM, Hagag RS.
Effects of Nigella Sativa on Outcome of Hepatitis C in Egypt.; World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Apr 28;19(16):2529-36. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i16.2529. PMID: 23674855 PMCID: PMC3646144

[13] Kawther S. Zaher, W.M. Ahmed and Sakina N. Zerizer
Observations on the Biological Effects of Black Cumin Seed
(Nigella sativa) and Green Tea (Camellia sinensis); Global Veterinaria 2 (4): 198-204, 2008 ISSN 1992-6197 © IDOSI Publications, 2008

[14] Salem ML, Hossain MS.
Protective Effect of Black Seed Oil from Nigella Sativa Against Murine Cytomegalovirus Infection.; Int J Immunopharmacol. 2000 Sep;22(9):729-40. PMID: 10884593

[15] Abdulfatah Adekunle Onifade, Andrew Paul Jewell, and Waheed Adeola Adedeji
Nigella Sativa Concoction Induced Sustained Seroreversion in HIV Patient; Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2013; 10(5): 332–335. PMCID: PMC3847425