This humble, but immensely powerful
seed, kills MRSA, heals the chemical weapon poisoned body, stimulates
regeneration of the dying beta cells within the diabetic’s pancreas, and
yet too few even know it exists.
The seeds of the annual flowering plant,
Nigella Sativa, have been prized for their healing properties since
time immemorial. While frequently referred to among English-speaking
cultures as Roman coriander, black sesame, black cumin, black caraway
and onion seed, it is known today primarily as black seed, which is at
the very least an accurate description of its physical appearance.
The earliest record of its cultivation
and use come from ancient Egypt. Black seed oil, in fact, was found in
Egyptian pharoah Tutankhamun’s tomb, dating back to approximately 3,300
years ago.[i] In Arabic cultures, black cumin is known as Habbatul
barakah, meaning the “seed of blessing.” It is also believed that the
Islamic prophet Mohammed said of it that it is “a remedy for all
diseases except death.”
Many of black cumin’s traditionally
ascribed health benefits have been thoroughly confirmed in the
biomedical literature. In fact, since 1964, there have been 458
published, peer-reviewed studies referencing it.
We have indexed salient research,
available to view on our Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) page, on well over
40 health conditions that may be benefited from the use of the herb,
including over 20 distinct pharmacological actions it expresses, such
as: – Analgesic (Pain-Killing)
– Anti-Bacterial– Anti-Inflammatory
– Anti-Ulcer
– Anti-Cholinergic
– Anti-Fungal
– Ant-Hypertensive
– Antioxidant
– Antispasmodic
– Antiviral
– Bronchodilator
– Gluconeogenesis Inhibitor (Anti-Diabetic)
– Hepatoprotective (Liver Protecting)
– Hypotensive
– Insulin Sensitizing
– Interferon Inducer
– Leukotriene Antagonist
– Renoprotective (Kidney Protecting)
– Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Inhibitor
These 22 pharmacological actions are
only a subset of a far wider number of beneficial properties intrinsic
to the black seed. While it is remarkable that this seed has the ability
to positively modulate so many different biological pathways, this is
actually a rather common occurrence among traditional plant medicines.
Black seed has been researched for very specific health conditions. Some of the most compelling applications include:
Type 2 Diabetes:
Two grams of black seed a day resulted
in reduced fasting glucose, decreased insulin resistance, increased
beta-cell function, and reduced glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in human
subjects.
Helicobacter Pylori Infection:
Black seeds possess clinically useful anti-H. pylori activity, comparable to triple eradication therapy.
Epilepsy:
Black seeds were traditionally known to
have anticonvulsive properties. A 2007 study with epileptic children,
whose condition was refractory to conventional drug treatment, found
that a water extract significantly reduced seizure activity.
