Benefits of Black Seed

Health Benefits of Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) 

Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) is the fruit of the Nigella Sativa plant which belongs to the family Ranunulaceae. It is also referred to as  Black Cumin, Roman Coriander, Nutmeg Flower and Kalongi in various parts of the world.  It is found in Europe, North Africa and South East Asia and has been used as a medicinal herb for millennia.The ancient Egyptians used it extensively with archeological evidence of Nigella Sativa seeds in several sites including the tomb of Tutankhamen. The prophet Muhammed (PBUH) described it as “the cure for everything except death”. 

Recently Nigella Sativa has undergone extensive clinical (human) research encompassing all the body’s organ systems. Unsurprisingly the results have validated the faith in it’s medicinal properties and the prophet’s pronouncement above. 

Nigella Sativa is rich in thymoquinones, diathymoquinones among other substances. The seed also contains fats and oils. Studies have shown that the Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) Powder, oil and extract all possess identical clinical properties. There are numerous laboratory and animal studies on Nigella Sativa however all studies referenced here  will be human studies only. 

Some of the numerous benefits of Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) demonstrated in humans include: 

  1. Blood Pressure lowering: Five clinical studies have consistently demonstrated that Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) can lower blood pressure. The TKS-MetsA study demonstrated a statistically significant lowering of up to 5 point systolic blood pressure in normotensive patients. 
  2. Cholesterol lowering-Nine studies have demonstrated a reduction in total cholesterol and LDL (commonly referred to as bad cholesterol) the highest reduction being demonstrated in the study which was statistically significant. 
  3. Weight loss-two studies have demonstrated statistically significant weight loss with Nigella Sativa one of them being the TKS-METsA 
  4. Protection from viral liver damage – In patients suffering from Hepatitis C, several studies have demonstrated a reduction in hep c viral content in the liver with improvement in blood tests. 
  5. Improvement in Memory, processing speed and cognition-one study demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in short term memory, cognitive tests longer term and logical memory in older men. In other words it made these middle aged men smarter. 
  6. Arthritis-Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) was demonstrated to statistically significant lower inflammation and reduce joint pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 
  7. Anti-epileptic-reduced frequency of seizures in children was demonstrated in one study 
  8. Blood sugar- Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) lowered glucose significantly in normal patients, prediabetics and diabetics currently on medication. Lowered the a1c between 0.41-0.52% 
  9. Reduces Inflammation- Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) in the TKS-METsA study, produced a statistically significant 17% reduction in C-reactive protein in patients with the metabolic syndrome. 
  10. Boosts immunity-Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) demonstrated elevation of white blood cells (wbcs) and also increases the killing potential of wbcs that fight all infective agents e.g. bacteria and viruses 
  11. Allergies and asthma -two studies demonstrated improved symptoms of allergic rhinitis and improvement in lung function and symptoms in asthmatic patients and those with chronic lung disease. Results from both studies were statistically significant 

References
Effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of powdered Nigella sativa (kalonji) seed in capsules on serum lipid levels, blood sugar, blood pressure, and body weight in adults: results of a randomized, double-blind controlled trial. 
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19500003 

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Antihypertensive effect of Nigella sativa seed extract in patients with mild hypertension. 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18705755 

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Efficacy of Nigella sativa on serum free testosterone and metabolic disturbances in central obese male. 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20724766 

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The effect of Nigella sativa Linn. seed on memory, attention and cognition in healthy human volunteers. 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23707331 
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More references to follow

 

 

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