Black Seeds Health Benefits

Black seeds are seeds of a plant known as Black Caraway, Blessed Seeds or Black Cumin. Its scientific or botanical name is Nigella sativa. Black seeds is widely used in Africa and Asia. Its a "cure all" type of plant. In fact, it is know as "healing of all diseases except death" plant.

Black Seeds Health Benefits

A famous Middle East Medical Doctor, Avicenna, who wrote a famous medieval medical book, had black seeds in high regard. He believed black seeds were potent stimulants of a human body's energy and helped with the recovery from fatigue.

Black seeds and black seeds oil have been used to treat kidney, livers, stomach problems. Also, black seeds have been used for treating diseases related to the respiratory system and to improve and support the immunological system. Skin conditions such as allergies, eczema and boils have also been treated with black seeds oil.

In general, black seeds health benefits are obtained through long term consumption. Black seeds are popular in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Black seeds are taken as an herb or pressed to obtain its oil which is regarded as a great aid in curing many ailments.

Black seeds can be crushed or milled and taken just with water or consumed in salads, soups, and with yoghurt's. For skin problems the black seeds oil is applied directly to the skin of the affected person. To treat respiratory issues such as asthma or bad coughs a vapor of a black seed infusion is inhaled.

Why do black seeds have so many health benefits?

Black seeds health benefits come undoubtedly from its chemical composition. Black seeds have a great proportion of oil (33-35%) and a lot of proteins (20-22%). It is precisely in these fractions (oils and proteins) were we probably find so many good healthy compounds. In fact, black seeds are rich in a compound know as nigellone a reliever for asthma, bronchitis and coughing symptoms. Also, it has many other components that make this seeds a perfect health benefit promoter. Among them: thymoquinone, linoleic acid and oleic acid, magnesium, iron, zinc, calcium and potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin B2, vitamin A, saponins, and alkaloids.

Sources:

Pharmacographia indica: A history of the principal drugs of vegetable origin, met with in British India, Volumen 1 By William Dymock, Charles James Hislop Warden, David Hooper

Encyclopedia of food and color additives. By George A. Burdock. CRC Press, 1997