15 Nov Super Seed: Spotlight on Black Cumin
It’s known as black cumin, black caraway, Roman coriander, the blessed seed (or seed of blessing) – and occasionally, even “a remedy for everything except death”! Since ancient times, black cumin has been regarded worldwide as a “super seed” with amazing healing properties. Black seed extract is antiseptic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, antifungal AND anti-inflammatory – in short, PRO-health and wellbeing. If you haven’t heard of precious black cumin, it’s high time you did – so here’s a look at what it is, where it comes from, what it does and how to use it.
Where Does it Come From?
Black cumin (Nigella sativa) is a flowering plant found throughout the Mediterranean, the Middle East and India. Oil made from the seeds of black cumin has been part of ancient Chinese herbalism, Egyptian and Greek medicine, and Ayurvedic healing for centuries.
What Makes it Special?
The main active component in black cumin is crystalline nigellone; this compound is responsible for many of the seed’s remarkable medicinal properties. The seed is also a great source of these nutrients:
- Thymoquinone
- Beta sitosterol
- Essential fatty acids (myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic AND linoleic)
- B vitamins (1, 2 & 3)
- Folic acid
- Protein
- Calcium, copper, iron, zinc & phosphorus
Clearly, this little seed packs a massive nutritional and medicinal punch. So what exactly are the benefits of taking a black cumin supplement?
What Does it Do?
Honestly, there’s very little this amazing seed doesn’t do. Here’s a look at the key benefits of black cumin:
- Helps your body to produce bone marrow, disease-fighting interferon AND immune cells
- Boosts overall immune system function, helps to combat & prevent colds & ‘flu
- Helps to boost metabolism & promote healthy energy levels; combats lethargy & low moods
- Anti-inflammatory; combats allergies, asthma, rheumatism, bronchitis & inflammatory conditions
- Antioxidant; thymoquinone is an oxidant scavenger that fights free radical damage & helps to detox the system
- Slows & inhibits the growth of cancerous tumours
- Soothes tired & stiff muscles; eases arthritic pains & back pain
- Acts as a liver tonic, providing protection against damage by toxins
- Alleviates stomach problems; constipation, indigestion, gastric upsets, ulcers & cramps (has antispasmodic properties)
- Anti-parasitic; helps to cleanse the body of intestinal parasites or candida, & topically helps to combat fungal skin infections
- Has a mild diuretic effect, helping to flush out the kidneys & prevent the formation of kidney stones
- Applied topically, nourishes the skin, promotes strong shiny hair & a healthy scalp
- Helps to alleviate skin dryness, & conditions like eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis
Did You Know? Studies conducted at the Cancer Research Laboratory of South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island showed that black cumin oil could increase the production of bone marrow by as much as a whopping 250%, AND inhibit tumour growth by up to 50%! Read more here.
Make Black Cumin Part of Your Daily Life
It’s so easy to add black cumin to your daily health, beauty and dietary regime – whether you take black cumin oil as a supplement, add the seeds to your favourite spicy dishes or use it as a topical skin and hair treatment. Browse our black cumin products online and experience the healing powers of this potent little plant for yourself!
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