Nigella sativa or Black Seed is an annual flowering plant, native to southwest Asia, eastern costal countries of Mediterenian region and North Africa. Nigella is a derived from Latin word Niger (black).  It grows to 20–30 cm tall, with finely divided, linear (but not thread-like) leaves. The flowers are delicate and usually coloured pale blue and white, with five to ten petals. The fruit is a large and inflated capsule composed of three to seven united follicles, each containing numerous seeds.

The Black seeds are small black grains with a rough surface and an oily white interior, similar to onion seeds. Black seed has a peculiar pungent smell, while onion seeds don’t have this smell. Black seeds have a slightly bitter, peppery flavor and a crunchy texture. The seed is used as a spice, medicine, cosmetic and flavoring agent.

Common names

In English, Nigella sativa is variously called fennel flower, nutmeg flower, Love-in-mist (as Nigella flower resembles with that of Love-in-mist), black caraway, Roman coriander, black cumin. Other names used, sometimes misleadingly, are onion seed and black sesame, both of which are similar-looking, but unrelated. It is called Krishna Jeera in Sanskrit, kalongi كلونجى in Urdu, Kala Jeero কালোজিরা in Bengali, Karum seeragam கருஞ்சீரகம் in Tamil, Nallajeelakarra in Telugu, Karinjirakam  in Malayalam, çörek otu in Turkey, habbat al-barakah  حبة البركة (seed of blessing) in Egypt, Habbet al-sauda in Arabic,  سیاه‌دانه siyâh dâne in Persia, Shuniz in Iran, and chernushka in Russian.

History of Black Seed

The Black Seed has been in use worldwide for over 3000 years. Nigella Sativa was first discovered in Tutankhamen’s tomb of Egypt, implying that it was one of items entombed with a king to assist him in the afterlife.

Easton’s Bible dictionary states the Hebrew word ketsah refers to N. sativa without doubt.

Discoredes, a Greek physician of the 1^st Century A.D. said that black seeds were taken to treat Headaches, flu, toothache, and intestinal worms. They also used it as a diuretic, to promote menstruation and increase milk production in women.

Ibn Sina (980-1037), most famous for his volumes called “The Canon of Medicine”, regarded by many as the most famous book in the history of medicine, East or west, refers to black seed as the seed that’s stimulates the body’s energy and helps recovery from fatigue. Black seed was  included in the list of natural drugs of Al-Tibb al-Nabawi. Recent research indicates that black seed boosts the human immune system if taken over time.

Narrations found in Islamic literature

Khalid bin Sad said, “We went out and with us was Ghazi bin Abjar. He fell sick along the way to al-Madinah. Ibn Abu ‘Atiq came to visit him and said, ‘You should use this black seed. Take five or seven seeds and grind them, then apply to his nostrils with drops of olive oil and Ayesha narrated to them that she heard the Messenger say, “This black seed is a cure for every disease except death.” [Saheeh Sunan ibn Majah (3449)]. Ibnul Qaiyum said, “It  is a cure for every disease except death is like the statement of Allah.”

Cleopatra, the Beautiful and mysterious queen of Egypt had been using black seed oil in her cosmetics and soaps.

Nutritional Power House

The Black Seed contains 40% fixed oils and 1.4% volatile oils. The most effective compounds  are thymoquinone, dithymoquinone, thymohydroquinone and thymol. These are powerful Anti-bacterial and Anti-viral against 30 different pathogens tested; TQ is the best anti-fungal against dermatophytes and yeasts, and thymol against mold.

Black Seed is high in 15 essential amino acids, protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, C and niacin as well as calcium, potassium and iron. It also contains sterols, especially beta-sitosterol, which has anti-carcinogenic properties. Black Seed has a number of useful properties such as

The benefits and uses of the Black Seed

     Backache u0026amp; other kinds of rheumatism Mildly heat a small amount of Black Seed Oil and then stroke the rheumatic area intensely. A tsp of the oil should also be drunk three times daily.

Black Seed Oil for Pain Relief

Kalonji alone or in combination with other herbs are beneficial for pain relief.

The mix of vinegar (1 tsp), honey (2 tsp) and kalonji oil (1/2 tsp) when taken twice a day is helpful in pain management. The massage with black seeds oil is helpful for relieving the effects of arthritis. Eating two pieces of dry fig along with 4 drops of kalonji oil is beneficial in joint pain, backache, and neck pain.

Diabetes

Black seed oil causes gradual partial regeneration of pancreatic beta-cells, increases the insulin concentrations, and decreases the elevated glucose, according to the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Mix a cup of whole Black Seeds, a cup of watercress or mustard seeds, half a cup of pomegranate peel, and half a cup of fumitory. Grind the mixture. Take half a tsp of the mixture together with a tsp of Black Seed Oil daily before breakfast for one month.

Diarrhea

Mix a tsp of Black Seed Oil with a cup of yoghurt. Drinking the mixture twice a day until symptoms disappear.

Asthma, Dry Cough u0026amp; Bronchial Problems

Black seed improves lung function, reduces respiratory symptoms and chest wheezing. Mix a tsp of Black Seed Oil in coffee. Take twice daily. Also rub chest with Black Seed Oil every night and inhale the vapor of Black Seed Oil in hot water.

Flu u0026amp; Nasal Congestion Placing three to four drops of Black Seed Oil in each nostril can relieve nasal congestion.

Black Seed Oil for Hair Problems

Smooth and stronger hair  Black Seed Oil is an important remedy.   

1- Baldness Rub Kalonji oil on the head twice a day, which is helpful to prevent baldness. Baldness can also be prevented when a mixture of coffee (one cup) is taken along with Kalonji oil (1/2 spoon) twice a day.

2- Rub your hair with lime juice, leave it for 15 minutes. Now, wash it with shampoo and use Kalonji oil when hair gets dry. Following the procedure for one week will prevent premature falling of hair.

3- Dandruff – Heat the mix of Black Seed Oil (10 grams), Coconut oil (30 grams) and Mehandi powder (30 grams) for few minutes till it converted into paste. Apply the paste over your head and wash.

Black Seed Oil for Migraine

Kalonji oil is good in the treatment of headache. To cure migraine, it is suggested to instill Black Seed Oil (one drop) in the opposite nasal area of the headache. Take Black Seed Oil half tea spoon twice a day is good to overcome migraine. To relieve from headache, massage with Kalonji oil is also effective.

Black Seed Oil for Beauty 

The mix of olive oil (1 tsp) and Black Seed Oil (1/2 tsp) rubs on the face, left it for an hour and wash. Continue it for a week. This is one of the fine beauty tips for face. Take a cup of orange juice and mix Black Seed Oil (1/2 tsp) twice a day. It is beneficial against pimples, red spots and blackheads. You see results after 4 weeks. Take the mix of honey (2 tsp) + Black Seed Oil (1/2 tsp) + coconut oil (1/2 tsp). Use it twice a day for one month. You will get smooth skin.

Hypertension

Nigella sativa helps to lower blood pressure. Mix any drink with a tsp of Black Seed Oil and also take two cloves of garlic every morning with breakfast. Rub all the body with Black Seed Oil and expose your body to sun rays for half an hour once every three days. Repeat for one month.

Laziness and Fatigue

One tablespoon of Black Seed Oil with a glass of pure orange juice every morning for at least 10 days.

Memory Improvement

A tsp of Black Seed Oil mixed in 100mg of boiled mint for at least 15 days.

Parkinson’s disease and dementia

Parkinson’s disease and dementia – A tsp of Black Seed Oil with a cup of tea/coffee to be taken three times daily. Thymoquinone was shown to protect neurons against synapse damage, thus, it could be therapeutic in Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

Sexual Impotency

Mix 200g of ground Black Seeds with Olive Oil u0026amp; l00g of ground Frankincense u0026amp; 50g of Black Seed Oil u0026amp; 50g of olive oil u0026amp; 200g of pure honey. Mix thoroughly and take a tablespoon after every meal.

Sleeping Disorder

A tablespoon of Black Seed Oil mixed with honey in any hot drink in the evening.

Black Seed Oil for Dental Problems

To get relief from painful tooth and soreness, Black Seed Oil can be rubbed over the affected part. Continue the after 15 seconds. Dental problems such as premature fall of teeth, teeth weakening, bleeding from teeth, bad smell, etc. it is advisable to take the mix of Black Seed Oil (1/2 tsp) and 1 cup of curd twice a day.

Ulcers Roast the Black Seeds and mix them with oil of orrisroot, or the oil of henna plant, making an ointment that is applied over the festering rural ulcers. After washing treat with vinegar.Drug addiction

Drug addiction

Black seed helps people recover from drug addiction. A study of 35 opiate addicts found black seed was an effective therapy in long-term treatment of drug  dependence.

Liver health

It supports liver health. 

Obesity

Black seed oil gives satisfactory results. 

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)  

Post-surgical scar prevention

Black Seed Immunity Booster

The Black Seed is an excellent herb for maintaining a strong and healthy immune system. The prophetic reference that the Black Seed cures all illnesses is not exaggerated as it at first appears. The Black Seed has been used for a variety of medical problems for several thousand years.

Dr. Qaadi started a series of researches in the United States and proved that the use of the Black Seed strengthens immunity since the ratio of the T assistant lymph cells increased by an average of 72% compared to the restraining cells. Also, there was a considerable development in the activity of natural killer cells with an average of 74%. 

HIV

The study, published in a famous African Journal of Medicine, tells the story of an HIV patient who went into complete remission after black seed treatment. The patient was treated with Nigella sativa for a period of six months, after which there was no detectable HIV virus or antibodies against HIV in his bloodstream. Further, the HIV stayed gone.

Black Seed cures Cancer 

Nigella sativa is an incredibly powerful and natural cancer cure. It is the best of the best and wipe out cancer cells very quickly in every type of cancer. There are literally tons and tons of information and in depth research results on the remarkable benefits of Nigella sativa on cancer. It seems to have a strong affiliation for colon, brain, bone, blood, cervical, prostate, breast and pancreatic cancers.  

In a recent study, at the Kimmel Cancer Centre, Jefferson were able to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that black seed destroys pancreatic tumor cells at a rapid rate with an astonishing 80 percent success rate! Further research at South Carolina found that black seed increased the growth rate of bone marrow cells by an incredible 250 percent and it also inhibited the growth rate of all tumors by a minimum 50 percent!

Black seed works to fend off cancer through a variety of mechanisms:

1- Anti-proliferation
2- Apoptosis induction
3- Cell cycle arrest
4- Reactive oxygen species generation
5- Anti-metastasis
6- Anti-angiogenesis 

Black cumin expert, Maria Hurairah recommends 3 tsps of oil a day or 2 tsps of oil  + 1 tsp of seed powder mixed with raw honey or freshly squeezed juice. It must be taken on an empty stomach one hour before a meal. You can increase the dosage after 2-3 weeks if desired. This is the basic plan, however, to thoroughly target cancer olive leaf, luffah leaves and energizing honey is also used along with healthy diet.