Exploring the Healing Properties of Nigella sativa

Nigella sativa, popularly known as Black seed, Black cumin or Kalonji has a rich religious and cultural history for its health benefits.
While it is widely recognised for its medicinal properties, it is also used as a spice and flavoring in foods.

Among the Muslims who have knowledge of the Prophetic medicine, it is considered as one of the greatest forms of healing medicine as it was mentioned that the black seed (often referred to as, Habbatu-s-saudau) has a healing in it for all diseases except death in one of the Prophetic hadith.

Due to black seed's effectiveness, it has been modified into different product. It is now made available in:
• oils
• capsules
• powder
• gel and
• other products by mixing it with garlic, honey, bitter lemon, black raspberry etc.

There are even articles as regarding the 101 benefits of the black seed 1. While these benefits might not be totally true, it shows how vast its usage is in medicine.

Scientifically, amongst its wide range of usage, black seed/ black seed oil has been proven to be
• anti-bacterial,
• an antioxidant,
• anti-fungal,
• anti-inflammatory,
• effective against some viral infections and cancer.

Source

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I have been reading some publications on Black seed. Here are the most interesting oned so far:

1. "Antimicrobial activity of Nigella sativa seed oil against multi-drug resistant bacteria from clinical isolates"
   In summary, Nigella sativa oil used at varying concentrations inhibited 97 out of 144 strains (including methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) tested, most of which are resistant to a number of antibiotics.

2. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb
   This publication gave an extensive account of black seed's chemical composition and their medicinal properties.

3. Review on Clinical Trials of Black Seed (Nigella sativa) and Its Active Constituent, Thymoquinone
   This publication expresses the need for an in-depth research on black seed for medicinal purposes.

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The silver lining

The truth is that, there is a cure for every disease or disorder experienced by man. The only problem lies in our knowledge of the cure.

Currently, there aren’t specific prescription on taking black seed or black seed oil as a drug supplement or for treating diseases. However, daily intake of about 1 to 2 teaspoons has no harm and can help in bolstering the immune system. Incorporation of the unprocessed seeds into dishes and using the oil for skin care is also encouraged.
This shows that there is a need to carry out in-depth research on the usage of black seed in medicine in order to improve global health care.

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References:

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/black-seed-oil-benefits

2. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-901/black-seed

3. https://www.britannica.com/plant/black-cumin

4. Images @pixabay