Black Seed – Good for What Ails You

Big Close Up of Black Sesame

Photo credit: bigstock

Nigella Sativa is a beautiful wildflower of whites, pink, and blues that produce a seed that goes by many different names. In English it is often called black cumin, black caraway, Roman coriander, sometimes even onion seed even though these flowers are not onions. In Arabic cultures the seeds from these plants are frequently called Habbatul barakah, which translates to “seed of blessing.” Currently most people simply refer to these as black seed, an apt name which describes these little wonders perfectly.

The use of these seeds for medicinal purposes dates back to more than 2000 years, well before the birth of Christ.  Nigella Sativa plants were found within the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. It is the black seed that many people believe that the prophet Mohammed even mentioned them as a “remedy for all disease except death.”  Many of the health advantages of this little miracle seed have been documented since 1964.

Black seed has been said to have the ability to cure all disease known to man, and there is a substantial list of ailments that black seed has effectively been used for. Throughout history black seed has been successfully to treat:

  • Headaches
  • Toothache
  • Nasal Congestion
  • Intestinal Worms
  • Pink Eye ( conjunctivitis)
  • Abscesses
  • Parasites

In more recent history, black seed is currently used for:

  • Digestive track conditions including excessive gas, colic, diarrhea, and dysentery.
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Respiratory conditions including asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and emphysema.
  • Flu, including swine flu, and congestion.
  • Mixed with Vitamin E, cysteine, and saffron, it eases the side effects of chemotherapy.

There are a great many other health issues that black seeds are said to help or even cure; however, technically, there is insufficient evidence to prove that black seed will actually work with the following issues:

  • Bronchitis
  • High blood pressure (read more how to control your blood pressure)
  • High cholesterol
  • Boosting the immune system
  • Birth control
  • Menstrual disorders
  • Increasing breast milk
  • Achy joints, rheumatism, or arthritis
  • Colon cancer
  • Epilepsy
  • Drug addiction

Recently, a patent was issued to cover the use of black seed to improve the immune system. It is unknown if the company requesting the patent has studies that will convince the FDA of the effectiveness and safety of this miracle substance. See also health benefits of avocados.

In fact, black seed is not approved for official use in any country. Although it is used in virtually every part of the world, it has not been officially sanctioned by any government, agency, or health institute.  While there are many herbs and natural remedies that appear to work for many persons, governing health agencies often negate that there is any proof that these “folk remedies” work. Sometimes it makes one wonder what they are afraid of?

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