Article written by Amanda Adms and published in Q News (No 341- 342/ March- April 2002 Safar 1423) 

Black Seed Oil:

The seed of blessing

Black Seed Oil is perhaps the most popular Prophetic remedy known to Muslims, but opinions on its use vary drastically. There are some who believe so strongly in its ability to heal that they will forsake any other medical help, whilst others, particularly some medics, frown upon its use at all. I personally believe that we should remember that our Prophet spoke with tremendous wisdom and so his recommendation should not be ignored. I think it is time to re-evaluate this blessed little plant and try to understand what the prophet meant by his words and how we might benefit from its use today.

    I have wanted to write an article on Black Seed Oil this past year but have held back, wavering over the content, wanting to get it right. In my five years of training as a Medical Herbalist this herb was never mentioned and hence I do not keep it in my Herbal dispensary. Yet I have been intrigued to know more about this plant ever since becoming a Muslim thirteen years ago. I was first introduced to the black seeds in the 1970’s whilst on holiday in Syria, where they were regularly served with bread and cheese at breakfast time. I remember being told then that they were of great benefit to health. Many years later, after embracing Islam , I became aware of the recorded power of its cure in what must be one of the most well-known Hadiths:

    “Take note of this black seed for it contains healing for every illness except death.” [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 7, book 71, no 591]

    The inspiration for writing this article now has come about from a recent visit to Ar- Rum, the Muslim Club in London, to view their exhibition of Islamic art. I was particularly eager to view my friend Rafiqa Basel’s work, knowing that one of the paintings she was showing was of the Black Cumin plant. Upon first sight I was struck by the incredible beauty that literally oozed out of the canvas. Rafiqa had truly captured the life of this plant, painted in a magnified image, with exquisite detail and magnificent colours. I was mesmerised by it and knew that I should do this plant justice by further research and producing an article about this blessed plant.

    The Latin name of this plant is Nigella sativa: Nigella is the diminutive of the Latin niger, ‘black’ and refers to the black seeds. The Muslims know this plant mainly as ‘Al-habba al sawda’ (Black seed) or ‘Al-habba al-baraka’ (the Seed of Blessing). The plant family if Ranuncalaceae (the buttercup order of plants).

    Throughout my reading I have found many different synonyms for Nigella sativa. Black Cumin, Roman Coriander (or Black Coriander), Nutmeg flower and Black Caraway were the most frequently used in my herbal books. Its name of Roman Coriander comes from the esteem that the Romans held for its use in cooking. The French know it as Faux cumin, Quatre epices and Tout epice (all-spice) mainly because it was used as a seasoning before the introduction of pepper. The Germans know it as Schwarzkummel, Schwarzer Koriander (black coriander) or Nardensamen. It is referred to as Kalonji in India (often referred to as black onion seeds) and is also known in Persian as Shuneez. Nigella sativa has nothing to do with the familiar kitchen spices that we know as cumin, coriander or nutmeg. All this becomes quite confusing. One begins to wonder if they all relate to the same plant and to question the authenticity of the products available on shop shelves! Indeed in one book it was reported that a researcher found many different items being offered in Asiatic food stores under the name “black cumin seeds” of which most could not be identified.

    Nigella sativa is also commonly confused with another herb called Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena) which is a familiar garden annual. Essential oil is distilled from Nigella damascena for lipsticks and perfumery. The two species look similar but have no uses in common.

    Nigella sativa, an annual herb, is quite small, growing to a maximum of 30cm (1ft). The plant has a rather stiff, upright branching stem with fine deeply cut leaves and small white, blue tinged flowers that appear in summer followed by inflated fruits with horn like styles and toothed seed pods. When the fruit capsules have matured, they open up and the seeds contained within are exposed to the air, becoming black in colour.

    It is grown throughout much of Asia and the Mediterranean. It is a hardy crop and does best in well- drained soil in the sun. Sowing the seeds in autumn or spring propagates the black seeds that are gathered once they are ripe. They are dried for oil extraction or used whole or ground, or in infusions. Cultivation conditions, such as the soil quality or intensity of sunlight, proper harvesting and cold- pressing are all important in influencing the quality of the Black Cumin. The oil is used medicinally as it would be necessary to consume a large quantity of seeds to attain a healing effect. The volatile oil can be obtained from the seeds by distillation.

    The origin of Black Cumin is difficult to ascertain as different references claim it to be specifically from either Egypt, Turkey, Syria or Italy. These countries are however all in close proximity around the Mediterranean Sea, I.e. North Africa, south Europe and the near Orient. The discovery of Black Cumin in Tutankhamen’s tomb certainly implies that it was known to the ancient Egyptians. It is said that the plants were used against infection and over- sensitivity by the personal doctors of the pharaohs. The earliest written reference is found in the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. It was used by the Greek Physician and Herbalist, Diascorides in 1st Century AD, to treat headaches, nasal catarrh, toothache, intestinal worms and in large quantities as a diuretic, to promote menstrual periods and increase breast milk production. It was referred to by the Muslim scholar al- Biruni (973-1048) and was regarded as a valuable remedy in hepatic and digestive disorders by Ibn Sina (980- 1037). What is abundantly clear is that this plant has been traditionally used as a natural treatment for a variety of conditions in the Middle and Far East countries for centuries.

    From these Mediterranean lands of Egypt, Syria and Turkey it likely spread to Iran, Pakistan, India and China. It is nowadays a popular spice in many countries most notably in India, Turkey, Greece, the Middle East, Egypt and Tunisia. The seeds are regularly used to flavour bread, pastries, curries, meat, chutneys, sauces and cooked vegetables. They have a spicy, fruity taste (more like fennel or anise than cumin) and are reminiscent of nutmeg or camphor. The taste can be described as spicy, somewhat bitter and sharp.

    The Black Cumin plant is currently grown according to proven, traditional methods in Syria, south of Damascus between the Euphrates and the Tigris. It is also grown widely in Turkey especially in middle Anatolia and along the Aegean Sea. In Egypt it is planted in large areas of the upper Nile and near oases in the Arabian desert. There are said to be currently more than 20 different types, but the varieties from Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, Syria and Turkey are considered most suitable for healing applications.

    Black Cumin has over one hundred components and active ingredients. It is very rich in nutritional values being made up of 21% protein from fifteen different amino acids, 38% carbohydrates and 35% plant fats and oils of which half of the oils are essential fatty acids (EFAs). These are oils which the body does not produce but which we must take in through our diet. Black Cumin has eight out of the nine known EFAs. It is very high in Linoleic Acid (Omega-6) an EFA very important for the body and which has an effect on lowering cholesterol levels. Black Cumin is also a source of calcium, iron, sodium and potassium. It is quite similar to Evening Primrose Oil and Borage Oil but is considered to be stronger medicinally in its pure form. The volatile oil nigellone is a particularly important component considered to have immune- boosting properties and also works as a bronchodilator. Black Cumin also contains alkaloids; in particular Nigelline and the glycoside Melanthin, The bitter properties of Nigelline stimulate the appetite and metabolism making it useful for the digestive system. Although I have not discovered any reference to reported side effects from the use of Black Cumin Seed oil, I did find a citation as to the potential toxicity of Melanthin and Nigelline if taken in large dosages.

    It is difficult to verify the quality of black seed oil products. For example it was mentioned in one book that Egyptian Black Cumin is not necessarily the “real” Black Cumin and is more of a trade name like a “patent” (Junemam & Luetjohann, 1998). Due to the large demand, it is said that Egypt now imports more and more Black Cumin from Syria and Turkey so that it can be resold by product marketing as an Egyptian ware. Sadly, this just adds to the confusion that abounds.

    From my research, I found Black Cumin to have an extremely broad spectrum of actions on all accounts, from Western books and Islamic references. Its use is reported by some Herbalists for the digestive system, to soothe stomach pains and spasms, to ease wind, bloating and colic, as in antiseptic and to treat intestinal worms. It stimulates the uterus and can be used internally for painful menstruation, post- partum contractions, insufficient lactation and bronchial complaints. Externally, it is used for abscesses and haemorrhoids. Islamic sources reported many uses. Among them were its use for abscesses and haemorrhoids. Islamic sources reported many uses. Among them were its use for the digestive system to remove wind and clear blockages. When ground up with vinegar, made into a paste and rubbed on the abdomen it was said to kill intestinal worms. Other actions were to increase the flow of urine, menses and breast milk, for shortness of breath and tarantula bites. If boiled in fat they could be used to treat baldness, warts and delusions. The smoke from burning the seeds would drive away flying insects.

    Extensive research of this plant has been carried out over the last forty years by individuals and at major international universities. Many articles can be found in medical databases such as medline and articles have been written in some scientific journals. The main areas of research that have been reported on are for strengthening  the immune system; anti- histamine activity (useful for conditions such as asthma, eczema and allergies);anti- tumour principles, anti- bacterial actions; anti- inflammatory effects (useful for relieving the symptoms of arthritis) and to promote lactation (breast milk).

    A study was presented at the fourth International Conference for Islamic Medicine in November 1986 which, although using a small sample of 18 people (including a control group) , showed that an enhancement of the immune system occurred by an average of 72%. Larger studies have been done such as in Munich where 600 allergy patients took 500mg Cumin oil twice daily for 3 months: 85% were found to show improvement in their symptoms. Scientists in Germany have confirmed the anti- bacterial and animistic effects of Black Seed. It has also been found that Black Seed stimulates bone marrow and immune cells and raises the interferon production, protects normal cells against cell destroying effects of viruses, destroys tumour cells and raises the number of anti- bodies producing B cells. There are many more studies that have been done and I suspect they will continue.

    The immune system has a direct and indirect effect on all body systems. A disturbance in the system likewise affects all the systems of the body. When a virus is “going  round” there are some who will catch it and others who won’t; some who will get better quickly and others who will be bedridden for days or even weeks. It mainly depends on the ability of the immune system to fight the virus. The majority of our health problems have common causes, infection by micro- organisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. What becomes most important in this instance is the ability of our immune system to fight infection.

    Black Cumin  certainly has benefit as a nutritional supplement with its high concentration of essential, multiple unsaturated fatty acids which give it value for regulating the immune system. The seeds have a strong anti- bacterial and anti- fungal effect, they support digestion and lower blood sugar. It can therefore be said that Back Cumin is a natural medication capable of fighting against germs without damaging side effects and at the same time supporting the bodies own defences and potential for self healing. Following on from this it appears to have a role suitable for treating chronic, allergic and hormonal diseases.

    My assessment of the Black Seed Oil is that it should be regarded as part of an overall holistic approach to health. The most significant confirmed action appears to be its positive and stabilising effect on the immune system. Taken as a supplement, the many nutritional and healing properties in this oil may help build up the body’s immunity thereby increasing resistance against future ailments. Supplying the body with the optimum resources it needs from a healthy diet and supplements such as the Black Seed Oil will assist the body’s own natural healing process in overcoming illness and maintaining health. If one can establish the quality of Black Seed Oil, one teaspoon once or twice a day as a dietary supplement is the general recommendation by most sources. The oil can be mixed into any cold liquid or yoghurt, It can also be applied topically for Arthritis, Eczema, Psoriasis and as a scalp ointment. Of course the herb can be added to the diet, mixed with any hot or cold beverage or food or used as a spice in vegetable or meat recipes.

    Many herbs and natural cures have been mentioned within the Quran and Hadith but none in such detail and with such authority as Nigella sativa. Although there were many hundreds of herbs in use at the time of the prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him), this herb was not considered one of the most popular remedies. It is said that it was the Prophets use which clearly increased its popularity thereby making it quite unique in that it is known both by Muslims and non- Muslims as a Prophetic remedy, so giving it a very special place within Islam.