As Published: NATUROPATH: AUTUMN 2021 ISSUE 4
Famed as a cure all, the prophet Mohammed is said to have proclaimed that black cumin seed could cure “anything but death.” This claim is still made with a knowing smile mainly amongst the North African and Middle Eastern community and is considered an indispensable health mainstay in many peoples’ first aid cabinets or larders. Research on black cumin seed is extensive and hundreds of scientific peer-reviewed articles have been published about black seed oil benefits, the evidence suggests that: It can help the body overcome a number of modern health issues.
Black cumin seed also known as Nigella Sativa (Ranunculaceae) black seed oil is extracted from the seeds of black cumin a spice that is native to South West Asia the Mediterranean and Africa and cultivated and naturalized in Europe and North Africa.
This oil is also commonly called black cumin seed oil. Be aware that as black seed should not be confused with true cumin (Cuminum cyminum).
Known best for its aromatic and flavourful seeds that can be used as a spice or as an herbal medicine, black seed has been grown for centuries and has sustained popularity, for thousands of years in traditional medicine, mentioned in the Old Testament, too, it was found in the tomb of King Tut; so has a rich exotic history.
The black cumin herb goes by many names — Panacea, which means “cure all” in Old Latin, and Habbah Sawda or Habbat el Baraka, which means “seeds of blessing” in Arabic.
The seeds which are the embryo of the plant contain a huge amount of nutrients;
Black seed oil is rich in Essential Fatty Acids; 3,6,7, 9 amino acids L-Arginine and lysine vitamins A E C and B complex, plant sterols and the most important compound in black seed oil that offers the health benefits it is famous for – thymoquinone, a phytochemical with potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective.and anti-inflammatory properties.
It has traditionally been used for women’s problems, high blood pressure, brain function anti microbial properties, gastro protective and for the liver and kidneys.
A general antioxidant and anti parasitic, black seed oil aids ulcers, protects the gastric membrane, a pain killer protects the liver the bronchi and will reduce coughing wheezing and reduces hyper tension. Modulates the blood sugar, a neuroprotector, effects epilepsy and excellent for weight loss. — Given how impressive the health properties are it is surprising how relatively unknown it still is to most people.
Essential fatty acid also known as (EFAs) are essential, as the body is unable to make these fatty acids independently. But despite the accessibility of black seed oil in most Middle Eastern grocery stores in London, not all of the products offer the full range of these precious health benefits due to the inferior processing and the packaging.
As with all most seed oils the omegas( EFAs) are sensitive to heat light and oxygen and therefore the extraction process is key to maintaining the integrity of the oil and its beneficial properties,(and being kept in a dark bottle away from light) , not all producers bare this in mind therefore not all blackseed oils are the same so it is important to be discriminating when choosing a bottle of this ‘cure all’ promise.
Onega 3 is easily destroyed when exposed to heat light and oxygen but omega 6 is corrupted and remains in a damaged form which often is a major contributory factor to inflammation and inflammatory conditions. Damaged omega 6s are a major problem in today’s diet and they are rife in every day foods.
Such as polyunsaturated heated vegetable oils, hidden in ready meals, bread and biscuits margarines, roasted nuts and nut milks all completely undermine the delicate balance of health and we need now more than ever good quality essential fatty acids.
So choosing a good quality oil is key to reaping the benefits and to combat inflammation.
Chronic inflammation plays a central role in some of the most challenging diseases of our time, including rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, skin problems and even Alzheimer’s and the Allopathic approach is to mask the symptoms with pharmaceuticals rather than to go the root cause to trigger the healing process.
There is a breadth of drugs currently available to alleviate symptoms. Drug choices range from simple aspirin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that’s been available for more than a century, to disease-modifying drugs and so-called biologics that promise more targeted treatments.
But there are issues with using drugs over long periods of time and ideally addressing the issue with food, herbs and nutrition offers a safer and more natural approach without undesirable side effects.
On the matter of superbugs black seed oil has shown promising results as shown by the National Institute of Health.
ome of the most promising research has been done connecting Nigella sativa to multi-drug-resistant bacteria. This is significant because these so-called “superbugs” are becoming a significant public health risk.
Information available by the National Institute of Health indicates that:
- People infected with superbugs typically have longer hospital stays, require more complicated treatment and don’t recover as well.
- More than 90,000 of these patients die every year, up from 13,300 patient deaths in 1992
- Strains of bacteria and viruses that are antimicrobial-resistant are becoming virtually impossible to treat, including HIV, staphylococcal, tuberculosis, influenza, gonorrhea, candida and malaria.
- Between 5 percent to 10 percent of all hospital patients develop infections from superbugs.
In a study conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in India, researchers discovered just how potent black seed oil is against some of these superbugs and paired it against several antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin, Gatifloxacin and Tetracycline. According to the study, “Out of 144 strains tested, most of which were resistant to a number of antibiotics, 97 were inhibited by the oil of black cumin.”
Compared to oregano oil this level of potency to microbes is almost unparalleled The study uncovered that it was especially effective against multi-drug-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. Showing that the oil has a promising future in a time when the rise of superbugs and viruses are becoming a great concern.
Finding a good quality black seed oil is key to getting the benefits that can benefit health in numerous ways so choose wisely.
My top three recommended high quality Black Seed oils choose one of these;
Bandale [1] (both Egyptian and Ethiopian )
Neter Vital from Noble Naturals [2]
Fushi [3]