Black seed or Nigella sativa has been used for centuries as the one cure for many ailments. It was used extensively in what is now called the Middle East; The Prophet Mohammad stated in his Hadith that black cumin oil cures all illness except death. The herb was also valued as a healing plant in Europe but was gradually forgotten, and by the 18th century recognized more as a decorative plant in gardens. Recently, however, Nigella sativa is experiencing a revival in the West. In my practice, I use the oil, the seeds, and the tincture for a wide range of conditions from chronic histamine intolerance to general seasonal immune support and digestive tonification.
Nigella sativa is an annual herb. It has an erect, round, slender, branched, slightly hairy stem standing 20–30 cm tall. The leaves are shiny green, and bipinnatified or tripinnatified, giving them a similarity to umbellifers like caraway. The delicate flowers are milky white, with five to ten petals, and may have a faint blue or green tint at the tip. The fruit is a large ball-like capsule crowned by five protruding spikes reminiscent of beaks. The seeds are black, triangular and have horizontal wrinkles, with an aromatic odour reminiscent of anise.
HISTORY
The common name and genus name Nigella is derived from the Latin niger, meaning “black.” The term nigellus is a derivative that means “blackish” or “dark.” The species name sativa is the Latin word for cultivated or a plant that is sown or planted. The use of Nigella sativa as a spice and healing plant may be traced back more than 3000 years to the kingdom of the Assyrians and ancient Egypt. Black seed was found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, leading to speculation that it was thought useful for the afterlife journey. The Pharaohs used the seeds as a digestive after feasts and for hypersensitive reactions that may be considered allergies in modern times. Queen Nefertiti, praised for her beauty, was an ardent user of black seed oil more than 2000 years ago. Dioscorides, the Greek pharmaco-botanist, in his De Materia Medica labels Nigella sativa as Melanthion and promotes its use as a treatment for difficulty breathing, headaches, toothaches, imperfections of the skin, leprosy, cataracts and nasal catarrh.
At the beginning of the 11th century, Avicenna—considered the preeminent philosopher and physician of the Muslim world during the Islamic Golden Age—mentions Black seed extensively to assist with detoxification and inner purification, as a remedy for colds, coughs, toothaches and headaches, to repair skin disease and wounds, and to expel intestinal parasites and worms. In India, kalonji (the black onion seed) is considered to be a tasty spice supporting metabolism. The Ayurvedic tradition uses Black seed to reduce vata and kapha and increase pitta.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES & INDICATIONS
Immune System
Nigella sativa is an immune modulator and may act on both an overexpression of the immune system and inflammation, as well as an underreaction of immune activity. It controls excessive immune reactions associated with high aldosterone and androgens manifesting as allergies (mast cell activation), hyperstimulation of the nervous system (hyperactivity), asthma, gum disease, food allergies, inflammatory and degenerative arthritis, and skin eruptions. On the other side of the spectrum, Nigella balances the suppressant side of the adrenal cortex associated with high cortisol leading to conditions such as hyperglycemia, digestive inflammation, and impotence.
Indications:
- inflammation and degenerative conditions
- autoimmune inflammation
- allergies—respiratory, food, seasonal
- mast cell activation syndrome (mcas)
- histamine intolerance
- urticaria (chronic)
- hives
- fungal infections
Digestive System
Nigella sativa is a superlative herb for the metabolic system. The stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys and bladder may all be positively supported by Black seed. As described above, Nigella sativa has been employed since ancient times as a daily culinary as well as therapeutic herb. It is a pleasant tasting and easily digestible seasoning for bread and other foods. Modern evidence has demonstrated that it heals dyspepsia and gastritis, and that the herb can eradicate H. pylori overgrowth. The saponin constituent melanthin and the bitter principle nigellin have strong eliminatory qualities that serve to help our bodies detoxify, cleansing the intestines and breaking down excessive acids within the body—this increases the secretion of urine, removing the acidic toxins from the system. The bitter principles also have a stimulating effect on the liver and gallbladder, and decrease the formation of stones in the kidneys, gallbladder, and urinary bladder.
Indications:
- indigestion
- dyspepsia
- gastritis (h. pylori)
- flatulence
- diarrhea
- hemorrhoids
- inflammation of the liver
- gallstones
- diabetes
Respiratory System
The volatile oils within Nigella sativa seeds such as thymoquinone, carvacrol, and p-cymene have mucus resolving and vasodilating effects, providing relief during acute respiratory infections and colds. It can also be of real assistance for more chronic upper respiratory conditions such as asthma because of its antihistamine-like action.
Indications:
- allergies
- hay fever
- conjunctivitis
- frequent colds
- flu
- sneezing
- sinusitis
- bronchitis
- whooping cough
- shortness of breath
- bronchial asthma
- sore chest
CONTRAINDICATIONS & SAFETY
Caution in pregnancy as large doses of the seeds may act as an emmenagogue.
PREPARATIONS & APPLICATIONS
Dosage:
- Oil: Adult ½-1 tsp shortly before or during 3 main meals 3X/day. Child 3 gtts ¼ tsp shortly before or during 3 main meals 2X/day
- Tincture (1:5): 1–5 mL 3x/day
- Tea (infusion): Pour 1 cup of hot water from the kettle onto 1 tsp of Nigella sativa seeds and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Drink ¼–1 cup 3x/day.
