The Black Seed is scientifically known as Nigella Sativa, the herd grows about 16-24 inches in height. From it comes a small rectangular Black Seed which is also known as the Blessed Seed (Arab: Habbat ul Baraka, or Habbat ul Sauda).
The ancient Egyptians knew and used the Black Seed and described it as a panacea (cure for problems/disease). The Romans also knew this seed and called it Greek Coriander. Documented by the Greek physician of the 1st century, Dioscoredes, as an ailment for general health problems such as toothaches, headaches and was mainly used as a dietary supplement.
In English-speaking countries with large immigrant populations, it is also variously known as kalonji in Hindi/Urdu कलौंजी kalauṃjī or كلونجى/कलोंजी kaloṃjī) or mangrail (Hindi मंगरैल maṃgarail), ketzakh (Hebrew קצח), chernushka (Russian), çörek otu (Turkish), habbat al-barakah (Arabic حبه البركة ḥabbat al-barakah, seed of blessing), siyah daneh (Persian سیاهدانه siyâh dâne), karim jeerakam in Malayalam.
OTHER NAME(S): Ajenuz, Aranuel, Baraka, Black Caraway, Black Cumin, Black Cumin Seed Oil, Charnuska, Cheveux de Vénus, Cominho Negro, Comino Negro, Cumin Noir, Cyah Dane, Fennel Flower, Fitch, Graine de Nigelle, Graine Noire, Habatul Sauda, Habbatul Baraka, Kalajaji, Kalajira, Kalonji, Ketsah, La Grainer Noire, Love in a Mist, Mugrela, Nielle, Nigella sativa, Nigelle de Crête, Nigelle Cultivée, Nutmeg Flower, Poivrette, Roman-Coriander, Schwarzkummel, Seed of Blessing, Siyah Dane, Shoniz, Small Fennel, Toute Épice, Upakuncika
Haadith on Blackseed
A Long History of Therapeutic Use
The black seed of nigella sativa (black cumin seed) has been used for over three thousand years for preventing and treating many different diseases. In ancient texts and historical documents black cumin seed is noted for its therapeutic attributes and ability to support the body in its own natural healing processes. Archeological studies report that black cumin seed seeds have been found in several sites from ancient Egypt, including in the tomb of Tutankhamun. It has been revered as a beauty secret since ancient times as Queen Nefertiti, renowned for her complexion, was, a reportedly a devoted black cumin seed user. Ibri Sina, the Persian physician and philosopher, discussed black cumin seed in the text Canon of Medicine, considered a hallmark publication in the history of human medicine and used as the primary medical text throughout Europe until the 17th century. In it he states that black cumin seed has preventive and restorative features as it “stimulates the body’s energy and helps in recovery from fatigue and dispiritedness.”
One such study conducted at the Munich Institute for Research on Newer Therapeutic Methods [Münchner Institut zur Erforschung neuer Therapieverfahren] has confirmed by means of the most modern analytic methods that Black Seed oil contains over 100 active health-promoting substances and displays superior clinical effectiveness as a nutritional supplement.
Black Seed is also found in the Bible in the Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament.: “For the Black Cumin is beaten out with a stick and the Cumin with a Rod.” (Isaiah 28: 25, 27 NKJV)
Easton’s Bible Dictionary clarifies that the Hebrew word for Black Cumin, “Ketsha” refers to “without doubt the Nigella Sativa”, a small annual of the order Ranunculaceae which grows wild in the Mediterranean Countries. However although many people and cultures knew of black seed it was not scientifically researched until about 50 years ago. Since then more than 200 studies have been conducted in the Universities all over the world.
Among the many amazing discoveries researchers have found, is that the Black Seeds are superior to almost every other natural remedy when used for autoimmune disorders; conditions in which patients suffer greatly because their own systems attack their bodies.
Black Seed, especially when combined with Garlic, is regarded as a harmonizer of the imbalance which allows immune cells to destroy healthy cells. The technical language to describe this property is “Immunomodulatory Action.” The difference between Black Seed and interferon is that there are no known side effects with Black Seed when administered in normal dosages.
The kalonji, or Nigella seeds, is an interesting spice – when used for tempering, it adds a beautiful aroma to the dishes, and a hint of flavour that you can’t quite nail. In India, dry roasted kalonji is used for flavouring curries, dal, stir-fried vegetables, and even savouries such as samosa, papdis and kachoriamong others. Flavour and aroma aside, the tiny black seed comes with a whole lot of health benefits. It’s loaded with trace elements, vitamins, crystalline nigellone, amino acids, saponin, crude fiber, proteins and fatty acids like linolenic and oleic acids, volatile oils, alkaloids, iron, sodium, potassium and calcium. It keeps your heart healthy, addresses breathing problem, lubricates your joints, and is known to have anti-carcinogenic properties. That’s quite a lot for a seed that size, isn’t it? In fact, if you keep a bottle of kalonji oil at home, you can use them for plenty of things to boost your health and take care of niggling problems. Let’s take a look at some benefits of kalonji.
The key to understanding the health benefits of black seed oils lies in the presence of three key natural phytonutrients: thymoquinone (TQ), thymohydroquinone (THQ) and thymol. These incredible phytochemicals lead to all kinds of amazing black seed oil benefits.
Medicinal uses of kulunji oil:
- 1. Falling and weak hair: Kalonji oil not only eliminates hair fall but makes the hair grow strong, glossy and disease free.
- 2. Fair skin and face beauty: Mix a small quantity of red ochre and 6 drops of Kalonji oil and massage on hands, face and neck. In the morning, massage your face with mixture of lemon juice and Kalonji oil, afterwards wash with lukewarm water.
- 3. Ear diseases: In case of ear pain insert a drop of Kalonji oil in the ear.
- 4. Joint pains: Massage the joints with Kalonji oil and take 2.5 ml Kalonji oil before breakfast and at night.
- 5. Piles: Take 50 grams Henna powder in 250 ml olive oil and boil for 5 minutes. Apply it on the pile’s sores along with 4 drops of Kalonji oil. Eat 5 pieces of fig along with 12 drops of Kalonji oil in the morning.
- 6. For emotional ailments and nervous debility: In case of mental and nervous tension and physical debility, add 7 drops of Kalonji oil in honey or some other juice and drink.
- 7. For improvement of memory: Boil 25 grams of mint and into it add one spoonful of honey and 10 drops of Kalonji oil and drink while lukewarm.
- 8. For sexual enhancement: Drink 7 drops Kalonji oil along with honey or syrup.
- 9. Burning in urine: Add 8 drops of Kalonji oil in 250 ml milk and drink and add one tablespoonful of honey.
- 10. Headache and dizziness: Add 7 drops of Kalonji oil in curd and take thrice a day. Also, rub with the Kalonji oil at the pain area.
- 11. High blood pressure and heart ailments: Drink half tablespoon of Kalonji oil with any syrup.
- 12. Lethargy and weakness: Add 12 drops of Kalonji oil in orange juice and drink in the morning with an empty stomach.
- 13. Baldness (alopecia): Mix equal amounts of ginger water and vinegar and apply on the scalp. Crush Kalonji seeds and make into a paste in the Kalonji oil and apply at night.
- 14. Cancer: Add 2.5 ml of Kalonji oil in carrot juice and drink twice a day for three months.
- 15. Asthma: Drink half teaspoon (2.5 ml) Kalonji oil in lukewarm milk before breakfast and before going to bed. Mix a teaspoon of Kalonji oil in boiling water and take its steam twice a day and massage throat and chest with the Kalonji oil thrice a day.
- 16. Eczema: Boil for 5 minutes 10 gm Kalonji seeds, 10 gm Qist Shireen, 10 gm Cassia and 25 gm of henna leaves in 500 ml of vinegar and then filter it. Now add Kalonji oil to it and apply the lotion twice a day. Also eat one tablespoonful of honey by adding 10 drops of Kalonji oil in it.
- 17. Throat ache: Continue gargling with water containing a few drops of Kalonji oil and also drink half a cup of it slowly.
- 18. Bitter belches and indigestion: Add honey and half spoon of Kalonji oil in warm water and drink.
- 19. Ringworm: Massage the affected area with Kalonji oil thrice a day until cured.
- 20. Over sizing of spleen: Extract water of green Momordica charantia (karela) by crushing and drink 25 ml of it along with 5 drops of Kalonji oil.
- 21. Meningitis: Burn Kalonji seeds and inhale the smoke. Take lemon juice with 2.5 ml of Kalonji oil twice a day.
- 22. Jaundice: Soak 25 gm of henna and 25 gm of Kalonji seeds in 250 ml of water overnight and filter it in the morning. Mix spoonful of honey and halfspoon (2.5 ml) of Kalonji oil and give it to the patient for 15 days.
- 23. Nose bleeding: Get ash of a burnt white paper and add to it two drops of Kalonji oil and insert into the nose.
- 24. Recurring fever: Soak 12 gm of trachyspermum ammi (ajwine) in 500 ml water overnight. Add 10 drops of Kalonji oil in it and drink for seven to eight days.
- 25. Diarrhoea: Take 3 gm saumf (aniseed), 3 gm mint, 3 gm cinnamon, 2.5 gm table salt and 6 grains of cardamom in water and prepare like tea and drink about 100 ml along with 5 drops of Kalonji oil after every two hours.
- 26. Constipation: Mix half spoon of cassia and half teaspoon of Kalonji oil in milk and drink before sleeping.
- 27. Hiccups: Eat 12 grains of Kalonji seeds and half teaspoon of Kalonji oil with butter.
- 28. Paralysis: Eat two half boiled eggs daily in the morning (not recommended for hypertensive). Insert a drop of Kalonji oil in one nostril and then in the other nostril on the next day, and take 10 drops of Kalonji oil with a tablespoon of honey daily.
- 29. Epilepsy: Insert one drop of kalonji oil in one nostril a day and another drop in the other nostril the next day. Also take honey with 10 drops of Kalonji oil daily.
- 30. Migrain: Massage on the temples and areas of pain in the head with Kalonji oil. Also drink 2.5 ml of Kalonji oil along with honey.
- 31. Diabetes: Take 12 gm Kalonji seeds, 6gms each of Kasni and Methy seed and pulverize them. Take 3 gm from it and eat twice along with 5 drops of Kalonji oil. Also drink a cup of Karela water (Momordica charantia) on every third day.
- 32. Teeth and gums: Grind Lahori salt and mix a few drops of Kalonji oil and mustard oil and rub it on the teeth.
- 33. Vomiting and nausea Add a few drops of Kalonji oil in 100 gm of fruit vinegar and 200 gm of sugar and slowly sip on it.
- 34. Flatulence: Add 10 drops of Kalonji oil to 60 gm of Trachyspermum ammi (ajwine) and immerse in lemon juice. Then dry it in the sun and add 10 gm of black salt. Take 2gm in the morning and in the evening.
- 35. Cataract: One drop of Kalonji oil in the eye is beneficial in the initial stages of cataract.
- 36. Deafness and flowing of ear: Insert one drop of equal mixture of Kalonji oil, mustard oil and oil of ratanjot (Onosma echo ides) twice a day.
- 37. Dandruff: Boil 30 gm kalonji seeds, 20 gms chi corium leaves and 30 gms of henna leaves in 500 ml vinegar for 10 minutes and apply the filtrate on alternate day’s along with Kalonji oil.
- 38. Shortage of urine: Boil 20 gm corn hair in water and add 10 drops of Kalonji oil and use it.
- 39. Ulcer/acidity: Add 10 drops of Kalonji oil and 30 gm of pomegranate peel in 125 gm of honey and have a spoon of it with milk daily.
- 40. Eye diseases: Massage eye lashes with Kalonji oil and drink carrot juice with half spoon (2.5 ml) of Kalonji oil.
- 41. Dysentery: Add 12 gm of Ispaghol Husk in 250 gm of curd. Also add 5 drops of Kalonji oil in it and use thrice a day.
- 42. White hair: Apply on hair an equal mixture of Kalonji oil, coconut oil and neem oil daily.
- 43. Sexual weakness: Take 6 gm of an equal mixture of pulverized Kalonji seeds, Solanum gracilipes and Saussurea lappa along with 1 tablespoon of honey and two drops of Kalonji oil in a glass of milk.
- 44. Obesity: Daily take three glasses of water containing juice of one lemon and 4 drops of Kalonji oil. Avoid eating in-between meals and always eat less than a full stomach (this treatment is not for kidney patients).
- 45. Vitiligo: Eat 4 gm pulverized equal mixture of Kalonji seeds and Solanum gracilipes twice daily. Boil 100 gm equal mixture of above seeds in 900 ml vinegar along with 10 gm henna leaves for 10 minutes and apply on the scars with Kalonji oil.
- 46. Stomach ache: Mix 10 drops of Kalonji oil and 1gm of table salt with a half glass of lukewarm milk and drink it.
- 47. Stomach tonic: Dissolve an equal mixture of pulverized black pepper, caraway seeds and table salt of 1 gm each in a glass of apple juice with 10 drops of Kalonji oil.
- 48. Intestinal worms: Add 6 drops of Kalonji oil in pulverized 20 gm Kalonji seed and 12 drops of pure vinegar and drink 1/4 of it with water at a time.
- 49. Liver deficiency: Soak 12 gm Trachyspermum ammi (ajwine) for 24 hours in shade. Then drink along with 6 drops of Kalonji oil.
- 50. Dropsy: Soak 12 gm Trachyspermum ammi (ajwine) for 24 hours in the shade. Then drink along with 6 drops of Kalonji oil.
Take out 60 ml water of Momordica charantia by crushing and add 25 gm charantia by crushing and add 25 gm honey and 10 drops of Kalonji oil in it and drink daily.
Black Seed – Summary of Actions:
– Analgesic: Relieves or dampens sensation of pain.
– Anthelmintic: (Also know as vermicide or vermifuge) destroys and expels intestinal worms.
– Anti-bacterial: Destroys or inhibits the growth of destructive bacteria.
– Anti-Inflammatory: Reduces inflammation.
– Anti-Microbial: Destroys or inhibits the growth of destructive microorganisms.
– Antioxidant: Prevents or delays the damaging oxidisation of the body’s cells – particularly useful against free radicals.
– Anti-Pyretic: (Also known as ferbrifuge) – exhibits a ‘cooling action’, useful in fever reduction.
– Anti-spasmodic: Prevents or eases muscle spasms and cramps.
– Anti-tumour: Counteracts or prevents the formation of malignant tumours*
– Carminative: Stimulates digestion and induces the expulsion of gas from the stomach and the intestines.
– Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration during fever to cool and stimulate the release of toxins.
– Diuretic: Stimulates urination to relieve bloating and rid the body of any excess water.
– Digestive: Stimulates bile and aids in the digestive process.
– Emmenagogue: Stimulates menstrual flow and activity.
– Galactogogue: Stimulates the action of milk in new mothers.
– Hypotensive: Reduces excess blood pressure.
– Immunomodulator: Suppresses or strengthens immune system activity as needed for optimum balance.
– Laxative: Causes looseness or relaxation of the bowels
Quick Facts
- When you’re buying nigella seeds, remember to check the pack carefully; the seeds are jet black and shouldn’t look stale.
- Storing nigella is important. Always store it in a dry place and make sure it doesn’t come in contact with moisture.
- Don’t buy large quantities of kalonji. 100 grams can take you a long way, so buy in smaller portions. This will prevent the seed from losing its aroma and benefits by sitting on the shelf for too long.
Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. SHS is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of SHS and SHS does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.