Know Ur Food S#2 : Nigella Seeds: Kalaunji

Somebody in my office a few days back told me a lot of health benefits of Nigella seeds ( kalaunji ke beej ). I was not at all aware of such medicinal properties of this wonder seed. Did some research work on net and found out that its indeed one of the most beneficial spice nature has given us. I have tried to list down the important points from across the Web world for my readers reference. Hope you will find it as amusing as I did.


What is Nigella Sativa (the black seed)?

Nigella Sativa originates from Western Asia and is a herb that grows about 16-24 inches in height and has white flowers when in bloom. The plant is now cultivated from the Near East to India. The deep black, sharp-cornered rectangular seeds (no longer than 3 mm) are the part of the plant that is used for the preparation of products. The black seed is cultivated in Russia, Turkey, Egypt, Arabia, Oman, Ethiopia, Middle East, Far East, India, Bangladesh, France, Germany and the Mediterranean Basin. It also grows wild in Egypt, Syria, Asiatic Turkey and the Balkan States.

Nigella Sativa is known commonly in Arabic as Habbat-ul-Baraka (blessed seed) and in English as Love in the Mist

Properties of Black Seed:

Nigella and melatin are two ingredients in Black Seed that contribute greatly to its highly diversified powers. These substances work together to provide the digestive benefits that have been revered in Black Seed. They also promote cleansing and assist with overall eliminating action. Black seed contains over 100 valuable nutrients. It is comprised of approximately 21% protein, 38% carbohydrates, and 35% plant fats and oils. The active ingredients of black seed are nigellone, thymoquinone, and fixed oils

Two of the most volatile oils found in Black seed are nigellone and thymoquinone which were fist discovered in the herb in 1985. Nigellone offers both anti-spasmodic and bronchodilating properties which contribute to Black Seed's potency against respiratory ailments. It also acts as an antihistamine which helps to reduce the negative symptoms of allergy sufferers. Thymoquinone contains excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is also a strong anti-oxidant and helps cleanse the body of toxins. Both nigellone and thymoquinone work in conjunction with one another to enhance Black Seed's action against respiratory ailments. It also provides a healthy alternative to the more commonly prescribed cortisone based therapies used by allergy sufferers.

Black seed also provides a rich supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These ingredients play a key role in daily health and wellness. They help to regulate the metabolism, carry toxins to the skin's surface for elimination, balance insulin levels, regulate cholesterol, improve body circulation, and promote healthy liver function. A deficiency in polyunsaturated fatty acids can lead to a wide number of health problems including nervous system disorders, uninhibited growths, and skin diseases.

Diseases and their Cure through black Seed and its Oil:

For Cough and Asthma

• Apply Black seed oil to the chest and back.
• Mix a teaspoon of Black seed oil in Boiling water and inhale the vapor twice a day.
• Take half a teaspoon of Black seed Oil daily in the morning.
• Take 21 black seed, put it in a cloth and soak overnight. Use as droplets for the nose the next day
• Inhale powdered black seed kept in cloth

Cystic fibrosis

• Massage the chest with black seed oil, and drink a mixture of one teaspoon black seed oil with a teaspoon pure honey, morning afternoon and evening.

Diabetes

• Mix a cup of whole black seeds, a cup of Water Cress Seeds (Mustard seed can be used as an alternative), half a cup of pomegranate peel and half a cup of fumitory. Grind the mixture to powder. Take half a teaspoon of the mixture together with a teaspoon of black seed oil daily before breakfast for one month.

Diarrhoea

• Mix a teaspoon of black seed oil with a cup of yogurt. Drink the mixture twice a day until symptoms disappear.

Dry Cough

• A teaspoon of black seed oil should be mixed in coffee and taken twice a day. Rub the chest and back with black seed oil.
• Take 3-4 drops of black seed oil in coffee or tea

Eye disease & impaired vision

• Rub the eyelids and the sides of the eye orbits half an hour before going to bed with black seed oil. A tablespoon of the oil should also be drunk with a cup of carrot juice.

Facial paralysis & tetanus

• Inhaling the vapour of black seed oil and hot water can help against facial paralysis and tetanus, and eliminates their causes.

Flu & nasal congestion

• Placing three to four drops of black seed oil in each nostril relieves nasal congestion and head cold distress.

Gall stones & kidney stones

• Prepare a formulation of 250g of ground black seed & 250g pure honey, stir thoroughly before use. Take two tablespoons of this formulation and mix thoroughly with half a cup of hot water. Finally add one teaspoon of black seed oil. This mixture is to be taken every morning before consuming any food.

Asthma, Bronchial & Respiratory problems

• Mix a tablespoon of black seed oil in coffee. Take twice daily. Rub chest with black seed oil every night and inhale the vapour of black seed oil in hot water.

Backache & other kinds of rheumatism

• Mildly heat a small amount of black seed oil and then stroke the rheumatic area intensely. A teaspoon of oil should also be drunk three times daily.

Common cold symptoms and nasal congestion

• Firstly fry whole black seeds, then finely grind them into powder. Soak this in black seed oil and any vegetable oil. Place three to four drops in each nostril (N.B. this will cause excessive sneezing).

For Hypertension

• Take half teaspoon of Black seed oil with any hot drink at any time.
•  Take 2 lobes of garlic on empty stomach.
•  Apply Black seed oil to your whole body and expose it to the sun every three days, continue the treatment for a month.

For Heart complaints & Constriction of Veins

• Take half teaspoon of black seed oil mixed with any hot drink daily in the mornings, this will liquefy the fats and widen the veins and arteries.

Inflammation of the Nose and throat

• Put a few drops of oil in to a cup of boiling water and inhale the vapour. Take half a teaspoon of black seed oil with lemon juice daily.

For Headache and Ear ache

• Apply black seed oil to the forehead, sides of face adjacent to the ears and behind the ears. Take half teaspoon of Black seed Oil and continue for about 3 days.

For Loss of Hair & premature Greying.

• Scrub the scalp thoroughly with lemon, leave it for 15 minutes, wash away with water and shampoo and dry well, thereafter apply Black seed oil to the whole scalp, and continue for a few weeks.

For Eye infection, Pain and Weak sight.

• Apply Black seed oil around the eyes and on the eye lid before going to sleep. Take half a teaspoon Black seed oil mixed with carrot juice daily for few weeks.

For toothache

• Mix a half teaspoon of Black seed oil with warm water and gargle the mouth and apply oil on the affected tooth, it will alleviate pain quickly.

Acne and Skin

• Mix and heat for 2 minutes 1 cup grounded black seed ½ cup grounded pomegranate skin and ½ cup apple cider vinegar. Apply on area before going to sleep every night until it disappears. Mixture can last 3 weeks and have to be kept in cool temperature.

Asthma

• Take ½ teaspoon black seed boiled in water

Backache (lower)

• Mix honey with ¼ teaspoon black seed and take it first thing in the morning before breakfast

Bladder/Kidney

• Take ½ teaspoon black seed mixed with honey and warm water every morning before breakfast
• Mix 2 cups grounded black seed and ½ cup pure honey. Take 1 tablespoon of mixture with 1 cup warm water every morning before breakfast. Mixture can last 15 days and have to be kept in cool temperature

High blood pressure

• Mix 1 tablespoon grounded black seed, 1 tablespoon pure honey and a little garlic. Take the mixture before breakfast every morning for 20 days

Memory

• Take ½ teaspoon powdered black seed mixed with honey 2x day

What are the Side Effects of Black Seed Oil?

There are no known side effects of Black Seed Oil if it is taken moderately. However, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

* Disclaimer :::: I would like you to know that not all the information mentioned above are my own. Some came with experience and some are taken from various books and online sources like Google including the pics. My pics will have my logo on them , rest all are taken randomly from Google