Overview
Around 1325 B.C., the Pharaoh Tutankhamen's servants entombed him with the precious artifacts he would require in the afterlife. Black seed was found among the selected items, proving that this spice's value extends back to ancient times. Roman, Greek and Arab cultures utilized it as an herbal remedy and a culinary ingredient. Today, medical researchers hypothesize that black seed may have antioxidant, anti-cancer and cardioprotective properties, according to professor of cancer research, Bharat Aggarwal, author of "Healing Spices."
Botanical Facts
Black seed comes from the Nigella sativa plant, which is native to the Mediterranean region, and now grows the Middle East and India as well. An annual herb, it blooms with fragile, pale blue flowers. It is often confused with several other black seed spices. Black seed, Nigella sativa, is commonly known as charnushka in the United States or kalonji in India. Black cumin, Buniun persicum, for example, is an altogether different spice, according to Aggarwal.
Physiological Action
One of black seed's primary bioactive components is thymolquinone, or TQ, which is found in its essential oil. So far, notes Aggarwal, botanists have established black seed as the only source of TQ. Scientific evidence shows that TQ can protect cells from oxidative damage. Additionally, TQ demonstrated anti-inflammatory action in the laboratory, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, MSKCC. Other constituents of black seed exhibited antihistamine, diuretic and antispasmodic properties. MSKCC also explains that black seed may be utilized for other conditions, such as asthma, epilepsy, liver protection and high blood pressure. Seek advice from a health practitioner before ...sing black seed medicinally.
Cancer
Among black seed's amazing properties is its ability to battle cancer, according to Aggarwal. According to a 2009 article in "Molecular Cancer Therapeutics," Aggarwal and other scientists found that TQ hindered tumor growth in laboratory animals. He also writes that this herb may be effective against ovarian, prostate, breast, colon and pancreatic cancers, to name a few. Moreover, black seed can initiate cancer cell death and halt the process of metastization, or the spreading of cancer cells. Ask your physician which herbal remedies are appropriate for you.
Using Black Seed
Black seed may be next to impossible to locate in your grocery store. Since it is a staple in Indian cuisine, however, you should be able to find it at an Indian marketplace or online. Kalonji, as it is known in India, is best dry roasted before using it to spice up chutneys, rice and curries. Black seed oil, or TQ, can be purchased in health food stores, and Aggarwal recommends daily consumption of TQ to derive its beneficial properties. Despite its many benefits, black seed is not an adequate replacement for advice and treatment from a qualified health care professional.
References
- "Molecular Cancer Therapeutics"; Thymoquinone Inhibits Tumor Angiogenesis and Tumor Growth Through Suppressing AKT and Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase Signaling Pathways; July 2008
- "Healing Spices: How to Use 50 Everyday and Exotic Spices . . . "; Bharat Aggarwal; 2011
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Nigella Sativa
About this Author
Cindy Ell began writing professionally in 1990. A former medical librarian, she has written materials for hospitals, medical associations, the "Nashville Scene" and "Coping Magazine." She received her Bachelor of Arts in linguistics from the University of Massachusetts and her Master of Library and Information Science from Pratt Institute. She is currently a full-time freelance medical writer.http://www.theblessedseed.com/
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asthma, black seed oil, insomnia, natural home remedies, Nigella seeds
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