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Black Cumin (Nigella Sativa)
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Our Black Cumin Seed Oil, also known as Black Seed Oil (among other names) is cold-pressed from the seed of Nigella Sativa. Black Cumin Oil is light amber in color with a characteristic herbaceous aroma. Black Cumin Oil has been used for centuries in traditional medicinal applications. Today, Black Cumin Oil known for its nutritive properties is used throughout the nutritional supplement and personal care industries for various applications. It is said that seeds of the black cumin plant could cure anything but death itself. While that may seem to be quite the tall order, black cumin (Nigella sativa) does in fact have remarkable healing and health properties that make it one of the most powerful medicinal plants known to man.
Black cumin is a part of the buttercup family and the seeds are dark, thin, and crescent-shaped when whole. The seeds have been used for many centuries in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and India. Today, black cumin seeds are used as a seasoning spice in different cuisines across the world due to their nutty flavor. Besides their culinary uses, black cumin seeds also have a wealth of important health benefits and are one of the most cherished medicinal seeds in history.
The seeds of the black cumin plant contain over 100 chemical compounds, including some yet to be identified. In addition to what is believed to be the primary active ingredient, crystalline nigellone, black cumin seeds contain: thymoquinone, beta sitosterol, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, protein, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, folic acid, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, and phosphorous. Black Cumin seeds contain 35% oil, most of which are Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) and 21% protein. The EFA’s like Linoleic Acid (LA) and Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) acid help strengthen and maintain cell integrity, heal skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, reduce wrinkles, and heal wounds. It is said that Black Cumin Seed Oil (BCSO) makes an amazing sunscreen! Naturally, you will use common sense and not unduly expose yourself to irresponsible amounts of strong sun.
Black cumin seeds have a particularly long and strong history use in Egypt. When archaeologists found and examined the tomb of Egyptian boy-king Tutankhamen (King Tut), they found a bottle of black cumin oil, which suggested that it was believed to be needed in the afterlife. Cleopatra herself used Black Cumin to enhance her beauty and vitality; taken internally or applied topically, the oil encourages smooth skin and a radiant complexion. Try infusing a half cup of raisins in 8 oz of BCSO for about a week and then take one tablespoon of the mixture daily for beautiful skin. Beauty is not just skin deep however, and BCSO also addresses numerous internal conditions such as lowering blood pressure, improving brain function, as well as regulating the CNS and activating the immune system. Nigella sativa has a long history of healing human-kind, a reference to its value above wheat is found in the Old Testament, Book of Isaiah. For thousands of years the seed and its oil have been used for health conditions ranging from asthma and allergies to wounds and worms.
Physicians to the Egyptian pharaohs frequently used the seeds after extravagant feasts to calm upset stomachs. They also used the seeds to treat headaches, toothaches, colds, and infections. Queen Nefertiti, renowned for her stunning beauty, used black seed oil, likely due to its abilities to strengthen and bring luster to hair and nails.
Hundreds of studies have been conducted on black cumin which have shown that compounds from the seeds help fight diseases by boosting the production of bone marrow, natural interferon, and immune cells. Immunomodulators in BCSO balance the immune system in order to increase resistance to pathogens, and protect against auto-immune diseases. Studies conducted in 1986 and 1993 concluded that the majority of test subjects given the BCSO displayed a significant increase (up to 72%) in the ratio of helper to suppresser T-cells as well as an improvement of natural killer (NK) cell function. This is profoundly important when it comes to the treatment of various Cancers, AIDS and other auto-immune diseases. When combined with Garlic and administered in normal dosages, the immunomodulatory action rivals that of interferon because there are no side effects from BCSO.
Several of the studies have shown that black cumin seed extract could assist individuals with autoimmune disorders and could possibly help to fight cancer. One recent study on black cumin seed oil demonstrated that it was effective against pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest and most difficult to treat cancers
Black cumin is one of the very few botanicals that have shown such effectiveness (the other most notable one is oleander extract).
One of black cumin's most popular and effective uses is the treatment of diseases related to the respiratory system: including asthma, bronchitis, rheumatism and cold symptoms. The seeds help increase body tone, stimulate menstrual period, and increase the flow of breast milk in nursing mothers.
Black cumin seed oil helps calm the nervous system, quells colic pain, stimulates urine production, helps treat pertussis, improves digestion and helps prevent and lower high blood pressure.
The seeds are very effective in curing abscesses and tumors of the eye, abdomen and liver, probably due in great part to the anti-tumor compound beta-sitosterol found in the seeds.
One of the volatile oils in BCSO, called Nigellone is a powerful anti-histamine that is excellent for treating seasonal allergies and asthma symptoms triggered by a histamine response. The active properties of Black Cumin are vasodilating, mucous reducing and relax the airways, making it perfect for the treatment of asthma and chronic bronchitis. Taking a teaspoon of the oil twice daily in hot water or nettles tea and a little raw honey is a delicious way to reduce asthma and allergy symptoms without side effects. When taken long-term, at least 3-6 months, studies have indicated that BCSO can bring up to 90% improvement in allergy symptoms.
Black Cumin is often used as a culinary herb, and like most herbs found in the kitchen, it has a beneficial effect on digestion. As a carminative, Black Cumin prevents bloating, gas and cramping, as well as relieving diarrhea and vomiting. It’s pedantic effects on the alimentary canal does nothing to decrease the deliciousness of Black Cumin seeds sprinkled on naan, a tasty flatbread from India traditionally baked in a clay oven. Black Cumin seed is also a wonderful seasoning for stews, beans, cabbage and is indispensable when making curries or garam masala.
Add this wonderful, health-promoting seed to your spice cabinet, and don’t forget to include it in your recipes. For even more profound effects on your well-being, ask your herbalist for a bottle of high-quality Black Cumin Seed Oil from Egypt and take a teaspoonful twice a day in tea. The benefits listed in this article barely skim the surface of the numerous advantages that BCSO can give you in the form of Vitality, Vigor, Strength, and Libido?
Black cumin also:
*stimulates energy and helps in recovery from fatigue and low spirits.
*is an effective cure for skin conditions such as allergies, eczema, acne, psoriasis and boils.
*is anti-parasitic.
*treats flatulence, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, constipation and dysentery.
NOTE: Those who decide to use black cumin seed oil should check labels and product information carefully. Black cumin is commonly referred to as black seed oil, black onion seed, black caraway, black sesame seed, and other names, but only Nigella sativa is true black cumin. Some producers will seek to get more of the final product by extracting the oil with solvents; these chemically treated oils should never be used for healing. The best oil comes from Egypt, where traditional methods of cold expression have been passed down through generations.
Disclaimer: The information presented
herein is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not
been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or
prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements,
it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
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