Black Seed
Black Seed
Nigella Sativa
Black Seed has been used for thousands of years. Extracted oil from this herb was found in Egyptian pharoah Tutankhamun's tomb. In a previous post on Milk Thistle I described its usage as primarily focusing on liver health with some other important uses but still with limited focus. Black seed is much different, so much so that it has been suggested as being helpful for every health problem except death. GreenMedInfo.com lists the following health problems as ones favorably influenced by Black Seed usage and this list is just the ones considered to be the most important overall: Analgesic 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
Some specific health conditions that have been studied to determine the effectiveness of of Black Seed usage are: Type 2 DiabetesHelicobacter Pylori InfectionEpilepsyHigh Blood pressureAsthma
Other studies of Black Seed have been for:Chemical Weapons InjuryColon CancerMRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus)Opiate Addiction/WithdrawalHashimoto's Disease
A caution on consumption of Black Seed: #BlackSeed is normally a very safe herb to use internally but its potent antihistamine activity causes concern for men with prostate cancer. Any man who is unsure of his current prostate health status should avoid Black Seed consumption until discussing it with a health care professional with an understanding of this concern. Anyone using an antihistamine drug should not take Black Seed.
Black Seed contains melanthin and nigelline which are reported to be toxic in large doses so there is reason to be cautious with it and you should be very careful if there are children that might want to do something like making little brother drink an ounce of it. The taste would probably cause extreme resistance by most kids but you never really know.
Taking Nigella sativa during chemotherapy may interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs.
Do not confuse Black Seed (Nigella sativa) with Bunium bulbocastanum. Bunium bulbocastanum is a plant species in the family Apiaceae. It is commonly called black cumin, blackseed, or black caraway. It is often confused with Nigelle sativa which is also called "black cumin", "blackseed" and "black caraway".
How to get it: #BlackSeedExtract is normally found in liquid form as tinctures, powdered in capsules, or as hot water infusions. The tinctures and capsules can usually be found in well stocked suppliment sections of stores that carry such products. The infusions are do it yourself products which would probably work best with the seeds ground in a coffee grinder for a few seconds, not to a powder but just enough to break them into smaller chunks.
DisclaimerI am not a medical or health care professional. By posting this information I do not imply that it will heal or cure any health problem. It is not reasonably possible to warn about every potential bad reaction a person's body might have to the topical or internal use of herbal products. We're all different, we all change every day. I cannot assume responsibility for knowing details about your health that would indicate the possibility of negative responses by your body from using any of the products discussed here. You should research any new substance that you consume or otherwise use as it relates to your personal health status and then consult with a trusted health care professional about any concerns or uncertainties relating to such consumption or use. If you choose to consume or otherwise use for health related purposes, any of the herbs or herbal extracts mentioned here, you are self-prescribing.
You can find Black Seed user comments on WebMd here: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-901-BLACK+SEED.aspx?activeIngredientId=901&activeIngredientName=BLACK+SEED&source=2
GreenMedInfo Nigella sativa page
Sources: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/substance/nigella-sativa-aka-black-seed http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/black-seed-may-treat-hypothyroidism-hashimotos-disease-clinical-trial-reveals
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/black-seed-remedy-everything-death
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/black-seed-extract-'cures'-hiv-patient-naturally http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/thymoquinone-attenuates-toxicity-and-oxidative-stress-induced-bisphenol-liver
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/nigella_sativa.htm