Black Cumin
Health Benefits

Black Cumin Extract

Black cumin seed comes from nigella sativa, an annual flowering plant that's cultivated in India, Bangladesh, Turkey, the Mediterranean basin, and in the Middle East.

The best seeds come from Egypt where they are grown in desert oases. When archaeologists discovered the tomb of the Egyptian boy-king Tutankhamun (King Tut), they found a bottle of black cumin oil, suggesting that it would be needed in the afterlife.

Nigella sativa has many names in English:

fennel flower

black caraway

nutmeg flower

Roman coriander

black onion seed

It grows 20-30 cm tall with precisely divided leaves. The flowers are delicate and colored pale blue and white.

The small triangular seed of the plant is commonly used as a spice. It has a bitter taste and a faint smell of strawberries.

An Arab proverb calls it “the medicine for every disease except death”. Until 1960, cumin medicinal properties were scarcely researched. Since then over 200 university studies have been conducted.

Medicinal Properties of Cumin

That's an exaggeration. However, when compared to every other natural remedy for auto-immune disorders, black cumin is the most effective.

It has the power to restore harmony.

Doctors to the Egyptian pharaohs used the seeds to calm upset stomachs after extravagant feasts. They also used them as a remedy for headaches, toothaches, colds, and infections.

The seeds are also known to strengthen and bring luster to hair and nails. Queen Nefertiti, renowned for her stunning beauty, used black seed oil.

The most dramatic healing, however, is achieved with asthma and allergies. Middle Easterners use it to treat bronchitis.

Grind up black cumin seeds and mix with honey and garlic to get rid of a cough. This tonic is an excellent defense against colds and flu. Use it as a natural immunity booster in winter.

Researchers conducted the first study of black cumin seed at the Cancer Immuno-Biology Laboratory in S. Carolina. Black cumin, they concluded, stimulates immune cells in bone marrow to fight bacterial infections.

What’s in it?

Experts agree that the seeds contain over 100 chemical compounds, many of which are unknown. The primary active ingredient is crystalline nigellone. Other important ones are the fatty acids and trace elements.

You'll find:

myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, protein, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, folic acid, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, phosphorous

Black Cumin Seed in the Kitchen

Are you a tea drinker? Well, all you need is a tablespoon of black cumin seeds and hot water. Pour the water over the seeds and let steep for ten minutes. To lock in the aroma, be sure to keep the the cup covered.

Or...add a few seeds to your morning cup of coffee.

Another great use of black cumin seeds is to grind them up. Ground cumin adds an interesting flavor to salads and stirfry dishes, especially when combined with lemon, cilantro, and tahini. You can use it like pepper.

Side Effects and Precautions

Not recommended for pregnant
or nursing women.

Anyone taking prescription meds should consult their doctor before taking black cumin seed.

Black Cumin Extract in a Supplement

The standardized extract form is the most potent. It contains the highest concentration of the active ingredients.

This is a rare and expensive ingredient; you won't find it in a mass-produced, off-the-shelf multivitamins. If you're serious about anti-aging, which is all about maintaining balance in the body, I couldn't imagine taking a supplement without black cumin seed extract in it.