Black seed (or black seed) is a seed-bearing plant. It has been used in cooking, cosmetics and medicine thanks to its unique properties. Black cumin seeds or oil can help with high blood pressure and stomach ulcers. They will also help fight acne. In turn, in the kitchen, black cumin can be replaced with pepper. Check what properties black seeds have and how to use it.

What is black seed?

Black seed ( Nigella sativa L. )is a plant that comes from Southeast Europe and Western Asia. It has characteristic white or blue flowers with blue veins. Black seeds contain coal-black, triangular seedshe alth benefitswhich even the pharaohs appreciated. In antiquity it was believed that the black seed "can heal everything but death". Therefore,has been used in medicineas a specific for almost all diseases.

Modern research suggests that black cumin seeds have a potential healing effect. The seeds show anti-ulcer properties. They protect the gastric mucosa and reduce peptic ulcer damage. In addition, they protect the liver and kidneys from the toxic effects of chemicals and drugs.

In traditional medicine they are used in various allergic diseases:

  • allergic asthma,
  • eczema,
  • AZS (atopic dermatitis),
  • diabetes,
  • hypertension,
  • parasitic diseases,
  • for problems with lactation.

Properties of black cumin. What does black seed help for?

Black seed for cancer

According to the research of scientists (both laboratory and rodent), the compounds contained in black cumin have a potential anti-cancer effect. They contributed to the destruction or inhibition of the growth of cells in many forms of cancer.

Anti-cancer substances contained in black cumin seeds contributed to apoptosis (death):

  • myeloblastic leukemia cells HL60,
  • MCF-7 breast cancer cell line,
  • HeLa cervical cancer cells,
  • HEp-2 cells for laryngeal adenocarcinoma,
  • osteosarcoma cells
  • cellscolon cancer.

Black seed extract has been shown to prevent damage from ionizing radiation in radiotherapy.

In addition, black cumin seeds inhibited the growth of HepG2 liver cancer cell lines as well as DNA synthesis, proliferation, and viability of prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, C4-B, DU145, and PC-3.

Researchers also concluded that the seed extract significantly reduced the viability of human lung cancer cells.

In turn, scientists from Ohio State University argue that the compounds contained in black cumin seeds inhibited the cloning ability of CNS cancer cells - brain glioma and spinal cord cancer.

In addition, research on the black cumin extract showed its cytotoxicity against:

  • certain types of lymphoma,
  • sarcoma 180,
  • pancreatic adenocarcinoma
  • uterine sarcoma.

Yet other studies show that the topical application of black seed extract inhibited the development of skin cancer in mice.

The above-mentioned anti-cancer properties in most cases are attributed to a substance calledthymoquinone.It is the main active ingredient of black seed oil.

It should be noted that the anti-cancer substances contained in the black cumin seeds were destructive only to cancer cells and did not damage the he althy cells. Unfortunately, no clinical trials have been conducted to confirm the anti-cancer properties of black cumin in humans.

Black seed for diabetes

Studies on diabetic rats show that the essential oil and thymoquinone contained in black cumin seeds contributed tolowering glucose levels and increasing insulin secretion .

Other names for black cumin are Egyptian cumin, black cumin, coriander, nigger, cockle or green maiden.

In turn, thequercetincontained in them contributed to the normalization of blood glucose levels, increased glycogen content in the liver and insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells by about 44-70 percent. Therefore, the black cumin seeds have apotential anti-diabetic effect . In addition, in the rats tested, black cumin seeds proved to be effective in alleviating diabetic osteopenia, which is one of the complications of diabetes.

Black seeds for hypertension

Black seed macerates showed a strong inhibitory effect on heart rate and its contractility, stronger than the effect of diltiazem, a drug used in hypertension. In turn, the volatile oilblack cumin seeds administered intravenously to rats contributed to the reduction of blood pressure.

Black seed for asthma

Clinical trials suggest the use of black seed in the treatment of asthma symptoms. 29 adult asthma patients participated in the 3-month study. A placebo was used in 14 of them, and the remaining 15 were administered 15 ml / kg 0.1%. black cumin seed extract.

Allergy symptoms: asthma severity, seizure frequency, and wheezing in the group that received the extract significantly decreased on the second and third visits to the doctor. As a result, the doses of inhaled drugs (corticosteroids) and oral drugs (β-agonists, corticosteroids, theophylline) in the study group could be significantly reduced compared to the control group.

Black seed for a runny nose and cough

Black cumin seeds in alternative medicine are used indiseases of the upper respiratory tract , especially in rhinitis, both in the course of infections and allergies.

Studies have shown that the plant is more effective in the treatment of hay fever than the commonly used cetirizine, the so-called an antihistamine that may cause various side effects, such as excessive sleepiness.

In addition, modern phytotherapy recommends the use of black cumin in the course ofcough, catarrh and bronchitis.The essential oils contained in the seeds cause bronchodilation and thus support their work. In addition, a smaller amount of mucus and facilitate the expectoration of the remaining secretion.

Black seed for depression

Black cumin is also beneficial for the central nervous system.It has antidepressant properties, among other things. Its long-term use may contribute to the improvement of well-being, improvement of the processes of thinking, remembering and learning. Some studies suggest that it may even slow the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Fried zander on pumpkin purée with black cumin - recipe by Jan Kuroń

Source: x-news.pl/Dzień Dobry TVN

Black cumin oil. What are the pro-he alth ingredients?

Black seed oilisa valuable source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.Black cumin seeds are rich in fatty oil, which in85 percent. consists of unsaturated fatty acids.Additionally they contain:

  • volatile oil,
  • carbohydrates (around 32 percent),
  • protein (about 22 percent - they contain 8 out of 9 essential amino acids),
  • alkaloids,
  • flavonoids and saponins,
  • beta-carotene,
  • vitamins zgroups B

The black cumin oil also contains numerous minerals:

  • calcium,
  • magnesium,
  • iron,
  • potassium,
  • selenium,
  • zinc.

However, the most important ingredient seems to be thymoquinone due to its unique he alth-promoting properties.

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How many black cumin seeds a day?

In medicine, ground seeds are used (usually half, at most 1 teaspoon 2 times a day). Black cumin seeds can also be used to prepare an infusion, decoction or tincture.

Black seed: contraindications

Black cumin seeds should be avoided by people who struggle with too low blood pressure. Black cumin, and especially the strong black cumin extract, is also not recommended for pregnant women. Because it can cause uterine contractions. Likewise, breastfeeding women should consult their doctor about whether they can consume black cumin seeds.

Black seed and its use in cosmetics

Black cumin seeds should be reached by people who struggle with:

  • atopic dermatitis (AD),
  • ringworm,
  • psoriasis,
  • with adolescent acne.

It is worth knowing that black cumin seeds are used in the production of cosmetics due to their protective effect against UV radiation.

Black seeds and other seeds good for he alth. See the gallery!

See gallery 4 photos

Use of black cumin seeds in the kitchen

Black cumin seeds initially have a bitter coffee-like flavor, which then turns into a spicy, spicy, pepper-like flavor. In addition, they have a characteristic nutmeg and spicy aroma.

Black cumin seeds add character to lamb and poultry dishes, i.e. delicate meat. In addition, they go well with salads, pickles (seeds combined with honey create an interesting marinade for meat), as well as bread and cottage cheese. They also give a unique aroma to home-made wines.

Some people roast the black cumin seeds before adding them to their dishes to enhance its taste even more.

Black cumin goes well with other herbs, such aslikethyme, coriander and allspice . Due to the fact that the taste of black cumin seeds resembles pepper, they can replace the last seasoning in the kitchen. Such a change is recommended for people with a sensitive stomach, because Egyptian cumin does not irritate its mucosa.

It's good to know that black cumin seeds are an ingredient of some garam masala spice blends and are one of the five spices in the panch phoron blend. Traditionally, panch phorom is used to flavor beef, chicken, fish, lentils and other vegetables. It is often this spice that gives a specific flavor to Indian dishes.

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