Health benefits of black seed

By Olufunke 

Recently, I switched to eating brown rice and would like to share my experience with you. It is so filling that it allows me to stay a longer time without feeling hungry. Incorporating high-fiber foods like brown rice into your diet can help keep you full and prevent overeating. It has an advantage over white rice when it comes to nutrient content. It has more fiber and antioxidants as well as more vitamins and minerals. It is a whole grain because its three original parts including the fibrous bran (its outer skin), the nutritious germ (which is the embryo that has the potential to sprout into a new plant) and the carb-rich endosperm (the germ’s starchy food supply) are all intact. White rice on the other hand, is not a whole grain; it is refined, meaning the bran and germ are stripped away, leaving only the endosperm. So, I strongly recommend local rice popularly called ofada for you.

Black seed, scientifically called Nigella sativa and also known as black cumin, black caraway, Roman coriander, kalonji is an annual flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae. The seed has been used in different civilisations around the world for centuries to treat various animal and human ailments. Its main active constituent, thymoquinone is medicinally effective against various illnesses. The results of extensive pharmacological studies justify the broad, traditional therapeutic value of black seeds. These studies found it to have analgesic, antilipemic, postcoital contraceptive, diuretic and anti-hypertensive, bronchodilator and calcium antagonist, histamine release inhibitor, hepatoprotective, anthelmintic, antifungal, antimicrobial (against a wide range of organisms), anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities.

Nigella sativa may also provide small amounts of vitamins A, C and E, as well as certain B vitamins. More is known about the plant’s antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.It appears to be especially rich in antioxidants from the polyphenol, tocopherol, terpenoid and terpene families.Of all these antioxidants,

Thymoquinone — an antioxidant of the terpene and terpenoid family is by far the most abundant. Experts suggest that this active compound is likely behind most of Nigella sativa’s purported health benefits.

Nigella sativa also appears to contain alkaloids and phytosterols; two types of beneficial plant compounds with natural cholesterol-lowering properties.

It has been widely used as a spice and flavouring agent in a variety of food preparations such as in bread, yogurt, pickles, sauces and salads. It has long been used as a traditional remedy in the Arabian countries; East Asia, Europe and Africa. It has also been described as the miraculous plant and considered by earliest herbal specialists as “The herb from heaven.” The Prophet Mohammed had described the curative powers of the black seed as “Hold on to use this black seed as it has a remedy for every illness except death.” It is also mentioned as the curative “cumin” and “caraway” in the Holy Bible in the book of Isaiah chapter 28 verses 25 and 27. Avicenna, a well-known physician of the 10th century, famous for his book “The Canon of Medicine,” has recommended the use of Nigella seeds for enhancement of body’s energy and also for support during recovery from fatigue and dispiritedness. It is also labelled as Melanthion by Hippocrates and Dioscorides.

Historically, black seed has been used for headache, toothache, nasal congestion and intestinal worms. It has also been used for “pink eye” (conjunctivitis), pockets of infection (abscesses) and parasites. It is a natural immune system booster. Today, it is used for treating digestive tract conditions including gas, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, and hemorrhoids. It is also used for respiratory conditions including asthma, allergies, cough, bronchitis, emphysema, flu, swine flu and congestion. Other uses include lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, treating cancer and boosting the immune system.

In traditional medicine, black seed oil has been used to treat a variety of health conditions. As a result, it has sometimes been referred to as “panacea” or universal healer. The oil derived from the plant also offers a long list of science-backed health and beauty benefits, thanks to its content of antioxidants and other bioactive compounds. It is high in antioxidants, It can aid in the treatment of vitiligo, it reduces inflammation, offers a healthy dose of fatty acids, may protect brain health, lowers cholesterol, supports weight loss, improves blood sugar control, can reduce symptoms of eczema, may support hair health, may reduce acne, can help treat psoriasis and promotes wound healing.

Scientific studies

In a study titled, “Nigella sativa L. (Black Cumin): A promising natural remedy for wide range of illnesses,’’ by Ebrahim M. Yimer et al, the conclusion is that having wider safety margins and praiseworthy efficacy against wide range of maladies, it would be a potential herbal remedy to be assessed under clinical trial for numerous conditions.