Black Seed Nigella sativa


  • Common Names
  • Black Seed oil , Kalonjii, Black cumin, black caraway, Roman-coriander, fennel-flower
  • Botanical Name
  • Nigella sativa
  • Family
  • RANUNCULACEAE
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Medicinal Uses & Benefits of Black Seed Oil

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How to Use: Black Seed


Black seed, sometimes called nigella seed, is used in both whole seed and seed oil form as a healthy dietary supplement. Black seed contains fatty acids, vitamins and minerals in a unique cell structure. Native to Western Asia, Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt, black seed oil has been valued for it's health benefits for centuries. It is said that Cleopatra used black seed oil to keep her hair soft and shiny. Black seed is now becoming more well known in the West and is valued as one of the most excellent sources of the essential fatty acids that are vital to health. According to Dr. Duke, the constituents in black cumin oil have been shown to have health benefits for: Stomach aches, asthma, bronchitis, coughs, and fevers. The oil is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and acts as an emmenagogue (brings on menses) and a lactagogue (increase breast milk). 1

In animal studies Nigella has shown significant activity against liver disease, high blood pressure, and rheumatoid arthritis. 4

Preparation Methods & Dosage :Black seeds can be crushed and taken as a tea, used in stir frys and salads, or taken with honey. Black seed oil can be taken in capsules, or spread on bread. A safe and healthy food and dietary supplement, As a general tonic 1 teaspoon of black seed oil, taken in food or drink, is said to benefit many conditions, in much the same manner as other oils rich in fatty acids, such as flax seed and walnut oils. . Refrigeration of black seed oil extends shelf life


In the Kitchen: Black seed, or cumin seed is used in baking and in the Indian herbal spice mixture called masala. Black seed enhances flavor, and aids in digestion as well as tasting a bit like fennel in recipes.

Ayurvedic Medicine ayurvedic medicinea Black seed is a very popular condiment in India

Black Seed Side Effects: Undiluted oil can cause skin irritation. Not to be used while pregnant For food and dietary use only

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Plant Description


  • Flowers/Fruit/Seeds: Delicate, 5-10 petaled, blue and white flowers. The fruit contains a large capsule containing the black seeds used in food and medicine.
  • Plant Class:
  • Annual flowering plant grows to about a foot tall
  • Leaves: finely divided, linear
  • Preferred Habitat:
  • Flowering Season:
  • Distribution: Native to the Middle East, Asia

Regional Traditions :Ayurvedic * Middle East *


History and Traditions & Folklore

Black cumin seeds were a widely used condiment in Old World cuisine. The use of black cumin as a condiment dated back to ancient Egypt, where seeds were found at the site of Tutankhamun's tomb, and even further back into prehistory in Iron Age Jordan, and ancient Mesopotamina. Wild forms of N.sativa can be found in south Turkey, Syria, northern Iraq which points to the Middle East as the area where black cumin was first cultivated.2
The Arabic and Aramaci name is kazha. Black seed is mentioned in the Bible, but this herb may be even more important to the Muslims. An Arab proverb says In the black seed is the medicine for every disease except death
References:
books citedWorks Cited
  1. Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases
  2. Daniel Zohary, Maria Hopf. Domestication of plants in the old world: (2001), Oxford University Press
  3. James A. Duke Medicinal Plants of the Bible (2007) pp 303
  4. Ali BH, Blunden G.. Pharmacological and toxicological properties of Nigella sativa. (2003-04-17), www.umm.edu