Nigella sativa or black cumin seeds
Within Islam there are many herbs, plants and fruits that are believed to have medicinal and healing properties. Olive, pomegranate, dates and figs are amongst those that are directly mentioned in the Quran as blessed foods. However, there is only one that can stake a claim as a super food and that is black cumin, fennel flower, or ‘Habbat ul Sawda’ as it is known in Arabic.
According to hadith, or Muslim teachings, Muhammed is believed to have said: “In the black seed is healing for every disease except death.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Indigenous to the Mediterranean region, the black seed plant (Nigella sativa, also Roman coriander) has been used medicinally by Muslims and non-Muslims alike for hundreds of years. In fact the earliest written reference to the black cumin is in the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament where Isaiah talks of the harvesting of the black seed.
It was also mentioned in the Bible as the curative ‘black seed’ and has been used by Asian herbalists and the Romans for culinary purposes. However it never really held any place of importance until the rise of Islam.
Black cumin seeds and oil – a superfood
Within Arabo-Islamic culture, the black seed has been prescribed for various ailments including fever, asthma, chronic headaches, diabetes, digestion, back pain, infections and rheumatism. In fact, since its rise in popularity in the Seventh century the black seed has remained a staple of family medicine within the Muslim world. The black seed is believed to have 100 components and is a significant sources of fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
Whenever I get a cold or flu, the first things that gets added to my hot drinks is black cumin and although it leaves no taste in the drink- the trick is to chew the seeds rather than just swallow them whole.
They have a slightly bitter and peppery taste but nothing too strong so it is a relatively pain-free medicine. My mother constantly tells me about its amazing properties and it seems that there science out there to back it up.
Black cumin revives natural medicine
Black seed has been scientifically proven to demonstrate strong anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties which support its claims to be of medicinal value for various ailments. There was also interesting studies carried out which found that black cumin had inhibitory effects on carcinogens and was also helpful for fighting tumours.
Nigella sativa has been used as traditional medicine for centuries. The crude oil and thymoquinone (TQ) extracted from its seeds and oil are effective against many diseases like cancer, cardiovascular complications, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease, breast and pancreatic cancer.
It’s like the Middle East version of chaga mushroom tea.
Black cumin is effective against cancer in blood system, lung, kidney, liver, prostate, breast, cervix, skin with much safety. The molecular mechanisms behind its anticancer role is still not clearly understood, however, some studies showed that thymoquinone has antioxidant role and improves body’s defense system, according to this study.
The issue with treating cancer however means that one needs to be “proactive” in consuming disease fighting foods before the cancer gets rooted. Oftentimes people react with natural medicines such as CBD oil, black cumin, chaga tea, juicing, or apricot seeds hoping that the mix will stop the cancer. All of us need to take care of our health today with a balanced diet, heavy in Mediterrean food to stop cancer before it starts.
A rise in interest of Mediterranean cuisine and herbs has highlighted the uses of the black seed which seems to be enjoying a revival in popularity across the Muslim world and in the West.
Like CBD oil is added to drinks in America, black cumin seed has been introduced to recipes and is even an ingredient in Evoca cola which is also known as ‘Islam Cola’. The extract is said to be tasteless.
Evoca is a London-based soft drinks company, and is sold in the United Kingdom, The Channel Islands, Europe and the Far East.
Black seed can also be used as a spice and particularly as a substitute to pepper: although with its additional properties it really does give flavour with added health benefits.
For more on natural cures and medicine see:
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Author: Arwa Aburawa
Arwa is a Muslim freelance writer who is interested in everything climate change related and how Islam can inspire more people to care for their planet and take active steps to save it while we can. She is endlessly suspicious of all politicians and their ceaseless meetings, especially as they make normal people believe that they are not part of the solution when they are the ONLY solution. Her Indian auntie is her model eco-warrier, and when Arwa is not busy helping out in the neighborhood alleyway garden, swap shopping or attempting fusion vegetarian dishes- with mixed success, she’d like to add- she can be found sipping on foraged nettle tea.
Assalam o Alaikum
I really want know the use of this black seeds for the cure of Bronchial Asthma.
How we should use and in which way.
Waiting for your answers.
Wa Salam
Assalam alaykm. I think people that are asking about how to use the black caraway, they shouldn’t do so. if we can recall from the story of prophet musa and his ppl who were asked to slaughter a cow. So let me make it short and precise, the black caraway can be used as it pleases you.
Assalamu alaikum varh…
how r u all?
how to use Black Cumin per day? for which types of disease be solve?
can we use normally?
wasalam.
Hi,
U can consume everyday.3 teaspoon. It cures all diseases
It prevent hairfall, increase hair growth.. i cures even AIDS.
Dr. NIha Binthi Raheem
Asalam Alaikum, Alhamdulillah and thanx to all of u for sharing this am using da black cumin to treat/remove da galstone i take it on empty stomach early morning after an hour or so i start getting sore throut feeling dizzy and like i have eaten something and its stuck on my throut. Anyone experienced dis? Dis is my 4th day. i decided to siever it b4 taking will i get da same results?
In the beginning i felt the same..but in course of time it will b ok. instead of seed u can take black cumin oil..it cures fast.
I surely can say that Black Cumin has been used in the period of prophet
Muhammed(sal).He has said that it has a medicine for every disease.
cure for the GALL STONE has been recorded in the Bukhary.
1.Make the black cumin into powder
2.Mix it with honey
3.Drink it with Hot Water
How do i use black cumin for treating haemorhoid and rheumatism?
Consume black cumin oil with warm water thrice a day.
Dr. Brindha
APPly oil on the affectd area..
consume black cumin oil 1 teaspoon thrice a day.
Dr. brindha
How to use BLACK SEEDS to bring down blood suger level.Can any brother/sister help me?
Assalamu alaikum wo rahematullah,
Plzz could some1 suggest me the amount of Black seeds that can be taken daily? How many can we chew daily 4 to 5?
How many black seeds to be used if used for bowling (hot water drink)
Please i would be thankful if sum1 suggest me the same… Thanks
Salaamu alaikum wo rahematullah
Blackseed or black cumin seed are the same
It’s just how people prefer to call it.
Defenetly not coriander .as you can see on the picture
They are very dark black.
Aselamaleikum!!
Salam, please is this black seed the same as the coriander? I have the green one. Thank you.
No, It is black in colur.
Dr. Brindha
Thanks a lot for such valuable inform.
Inshaall I’ll try to do best from Ethiopia.
Hello,
There seem to be lot of confusion about Black Seeds Vs Black cumin… some websites say that these are 2 different item and some say they are infact same. (example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigella_sativa) Could someone shed some truth on it for me?
Thank you in advance.
Fahim
thanks for sharing
Hi,
these are small black seeds of the Love-in-a-Mist plant. Sometimes they are confused with “onion” seeds or black cumin or caraway. The seeds are deep black and sharp-cornered.
In other languages:
English = Nigella, love-in-a-mist, fennel flower, black cumin, black caraway, black coriander, black seed English, Old (also in King James Version of the Bible) = Fitch
Finnish = Neidonkuka
French = Cheveux de venus, Nigelle or Faux cumin
German = Schwarzhuemmel, later protvurz or brotchrut
Greek, Ancient = Melánthion or meláspermom
Hebrew = Ketzah
Hindi and Urdu = Kalonji
Indian = Nutmeg flower
Italian = Nigela
Persian = Schonaiz
Sri Lankan = Kaladuru
Ali
Thanks
Regards
I use nigella seeds often in my cooking, on flat bread, yogurt and even fritters. Mixed with breadcrumbs and sesame seeds, it is a wonderful coating for schnitzel.
To Allah alone belong all the Glory. HE is indeed Lord of the universe. To all diseases, there is a CURE. What are the various method of using the black seed. I think that will help us to appreciate the seed more and also know how well ALLAH LOVES US. You can mail me
Is there any research on the black seed as a cure against genetic disorders? I would love to hear of anybody’s research. thank you.
Is black cumin readily available in Israel? As it’s something I never really knew to buy, I’m uncertain whether it would be in shuk Levinsky or similar. Any ideas?
It’s something Bukharian Jews eat on bread and a company named Lavido makes oil from it. Ask for it in any Middle Eastern market.
A lot of scientific research has been done on black seed and it has been shown to have beneficial effects on almost all systems of the body. Research in our own lab has shown it to have antimicrobial activity against multi-antibiotics resistant pathogenic bacteria and hepatoprotective activity. For details see http://medicalresearch.blogspot.com/search/label/Nigella%20sativa
Sure, thanks for reminding me. New recipe coming up!
I like to sprinkle black seed – nigella sativa – on flatbread dough before baking the bread. Delicious. As a medication, I found that tea made with black seed increased breast milk.
Maybe you have some good recipes that use black cumin?