Nigella sativa

Nigella sativa is an annual flowering plant, native to southwest Asia. It grows to 20-30 cm tall, with finely divided, linear (but not thread-like) leaves. The flowers are delicate, and usually coloured pale blue and white, with 5-10 petals. The fruit is a large and inflated capsule composed of 3-7 united follicles, each containing numerous seeds. The seed is used as a spice.

  Nigella sativa seed is known variously as kalonji कलौंजी or कलोंजी (Hindi), kezah קצח (Hebrew), chernushka (Russian), çörek otu (Turkish), habbah Albarakah, حبه البركة (literally seeds of blessing Arabic) or siyah daneh سیاه‌دانه ([[Persian language|Persian. In English it is called fennel flower, black caraway, nutmeg flower, Roman coriander, or black onion seed. Other names used, sometimes misleadingly, are onion seed and black sesame (both of which are similar-looking but unrelated). Frequently the seeds are referred to as black cumin, this is, however, also used for a different spice, Bunium persicum. It is also sometimes just referred to as nigella, blackseed or black seed. The name is a derivative of Latin niger, black.[1] An old English name gith is now used for the corncockle.

This potpourri of vernacular names for this plant reflects that its widespread use as a spice is relatively new in the English speaking world, and largely associated with immigrants from areas where it is well known. Increasing use is likely to result in one of the names winning out, hopefully one which is unambiguous.

Nigella sativa has a pungent bitter taste and a faint smell of strawberries. It is used primarily in candies and liquors. The variety of naan bread called Peshawari naan is as a rule topped with kalonji seeds. In herbal medicine, Nigella sativa has hypertensive, carminative, and anthelminthic properties. They are eaten by elephants to aid digestion.

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Historical account

According to Zohary and Hopf, archeological evidence about the earliest cultivation of N. sativa "is still scanty", but they report seeds of this condiment have been found in several sites from ancient Egypt including Tutenkhamen's tomb.^[1] Although its exact role in Egyptian culture is unknown, we do know that items entombed with a pharaoh were carefully selected to assist him in the after life.

The earliest written reference to N. sativa is found in the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. Isaiah contrasts the reaping of nigella with wheat (Isaiah 28: 25, 27). Easton's bible dictionary clarifies that the Hebrew word for nigella, ketsah, refers to without doubt N. sativa. According to Zohary and Hopf, N. sativa "was another traditional condiment of the Old World during classical times; and its black seeds were extensively used to flavour food."^[2]

In the Unani Tibb system of medicine, N. sativa has been regarded as a valuable remedy in a number of diseases. Ibn Sina, most famous for his volumes called The Canon of Medicine regarded by many as the most famous book in the history of medicine, refers to nigella as the seed that stimulates the body's energy and helps recovery from fatigue and dispiritedness and several therapeutic effects on digestive disorders, gynecological diseases and respiratory system have been ascribed to the seeds of N. sativa (Ave-sina). It is also included in the list of natural drugs of 'Tibb-e-Nabavi', or "Medicine of the Prophet (Muhammad)", according to the tradition "hold onto the use of the black seeds for in it is healing for all diseases except death" (Sahih Bukhari vol. 7 book 71 # 592).

The seeds have been traditionally used in the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries to treat ailments including Asthma, Bronchitis, Rheumatism and related inflammatory diseases, to increase milk production in nursing mothers, to promote digestion and to fight parasitic infections. Its oil has been used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and boils and to treat cold symptoms. The many uses of nigella has earned for this ancient herb the Arabic approbation 'Habbatul barakah' meaning the seed of blessing.

Use in folk medicine

Nigella sativa has been used for centuries, both as a herb and pressed into oil, by people in Asia, Middle East, and Africa for medicinal purposes. It has been traditionally used for a variety of conditions and treatments related to respiratory health, stomach and intestinal health, kidney and liver function, circulatory and immune system support, and for general overall well-being.

In Islam, it is regarded as one of the greatest forms of healing medicine available. ProphetMuhammad once stated that the black seed can heal every disease-- except death as mentioned in the following hadith:

This Biblical herb, popular in breads and cakes, is used medicinally to purge the body of worms and parasites. An Arab proverb calls it "the medicine for every disease except death." These seeds taste hot to the tongue and are sometimes mixed with peppercorns in Europe."

Black cumin oil contains nigellone, which protects guinea pigs from histamine-induced bronchial spasms {perhaps explaining its use to relieve the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, and coughs}.

The presence of an anti-tumor sterol, beta sitosterol, lends credence to its use in folklore to treat abscesses and tumors of the abdomen, eyes, and liver."

Look for sterols at http://glycoscience.org/glycoscience/linksPage/links.html Click on the 4th listing for the GlycoScience link. for more details see http://www.barakaoil.com

See also

• Nigella

ANTIPARASITIC ACTIVITIES OF NIGELLA SATIVA

Anticestodal effect of N. sativa seeds was studied in children naturally infected with the respective worm. The activities were judged on the basis of percentage reductions in the faecal eggs per gram (EPG) counts. The single oral administration of 40 mg/kg of N. sativa seeds and equivalent amount of its ethanolic extract were effective in reducing the percentage of faecal EPG counts and the effect was comparable to niclosamide. The crude extracts also did not produce any adverse side effects from all the doses tested (Akhtar & Riffat 1991).

In 1998, Korshom et al. investigated the anti-trematodal activity of N.sativa seeds against a ruminant fluke (Paramphistomum) in sheep. The methanol extract (1ml/kg) and powder (200 mg/kg) showed high efficacy, comparable to Hapadex (netobimin, 20 mg/kg). NOTE: methanol is transformed in the body to formadehyde, so its effects have to be considered.

In 2005, Azza et al. studied in vitro the anti-schistosomicidal properties of aqueous extract of N. sativa seeds against Schistosoma mansoni miracidia, cercariae, and the adult worms. Results indicated its strong biocidal effects against all stages of the parasite and also showed an inhibitory effect on egg-laying of adult female worms.

In 2007, Abdulelah and Zainal-Abidin investigated the anti-malarial activities of different extacts of N.sativa seeds against P.berghei as a laboratory model for human parasite. Resutls indicated its strong biocidal effects against malarial parasite.

In Other Languages

• Nigella Satia

Arabic -> Sinouj, Sanouz, Shunez, Habbat elbaraka, Sauda, Habbah, Kamun Aswad. Armeniian -> Shoushma. Catalan -> Sanuj. Croatian -> Cmi kumin, Crnog kima. Czech -> Cerny kmin, Cernucha. Dutch -> Nigelle Narduszaad. English Estonian Farsi Finnish French German Greek Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Indonesian Italian Latvian Lithuanian Kannada Malay Malayalam Marathi Norweigian Polish Portuguese Punjabi Romanian Russian Chernuska Singhalese Kaladuru Slovak Cernuska siata Slovenian Vzhodna Crnika Spanish Nigulla, Pasionara Swedish Svartkummin Tamil Karunkiragam Telegu Nellajilakaira Turkish Corekoto, Coreotu

Notes

1. ^ Daniel Zohary and Maria Hopf, Domestication of plants in the Old World, third edition (Oxford: University Press, 2000), p. 206
2. ^ Zohary and Hopf, ibid.

Akhtar, M.S. & Rifaat, S. 1991. Field trial of Saussurea lappa roots against nematodes and Nigella sativa seeds against cestodes in children. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 41: 185–187.

Korshom M., Moghney, A.A. & Mandour, A. 1998. Biochemical and parasitological evaluation of Nigella sativa against ruminant fluke (Paramphistomum) in sheep as compared with trematocide “Hapadex”. Assiut. Vaternary Med. J. 39 (78): 238–244.

Azza, M. M., Nadia, M. M. & Sohair, S. M. 2005. Sativa seeds against Schistosoma mansoni different stages. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo. Cruz. Rio de Janeiro 100(2): 205–211.

Abdulelah H.A.A. & Zainal-Abidin B.A.H. 2007. In vivo anti-malarial tests of Nigella sativa (black seed) different extracts. American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2 (2): 46-50, 2007.

Abdulelah H.A.A. & Zainal-Abidin B.A.H. 2007. Curative and prophylactic anti-malarial activities of Nigella sativa (black seed) in mice. The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 14: 209.