Black Seed- A European & Middle Eastern Wonder
Black seed, otherwise known as black caraway or black cumin, is a plant. According a website, “it 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 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… For centuries, the black seed and its oil has been used by people in Asia, Africa, the Middle and Far East to promote health and fight disease. It has been traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments and conditions related to respiratory health, stomach and intestinal complaints, kidney and liver function, circulatory and immune system support and to improve health in general. ”
People have used the seed to make medicine for over 2000 years. It was even discovered in the tomb of King Tut. Today, black seed is used for treating digestive ailments including gas, colic, diarrhea, constipation , and hemorrhoids. It is also used for respiratory conditions including flu, swine flu , cough, bronchitis , emphysema and congestion. Other uses include lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, treating cancer, and boosting the immune system. You may read that a patent has been issued to cover the use of black seed to improve immunity, but don’t be misled. The presence of a patent doesn’t mean black seed has been shown to be effective for this use. Other health issues it’s used for include asthma, allergies, cough, bronchitis, flu, congestion, hypertension, high cholesterol, boosting the immune system, Cancer prevention, Birth control & menstrual disorders, Increasing breast-milk flow, rheumatism, headache, skin conditions, etc. It has also been known to be used to cure opiate addictions, colon cancer, epilepsy, as well as injuries from chemical weapons.
When you look into black seed & ancient cultures/beliefs, it spans across the Middle East. In Arabic cultures, black cumin is known as the “seed of blessing.” It is also believed that the Islamic prophet Mohammed said of it that it is “a remedy for all diseases except death.” There is a statement from a website focused on “green medicine”, or healthier ways of living that says, The time, no doubt, has come for food, seeds, herbs, plants, sunlight, air, clean water, and yes, love, to assume once again their central place in medicine, which is to say, the art and science of facilitating self-healing within the human body.” This statement is very true in that if you do research on non-pharmaceutical ways to help & heal various health or medical issues, you find more and more products from nature that not only are beneficial, but have been used for centuries. Some even go as far back as biblical days. There are many who believe that if we start studying more natural, “homeopathic” ways to heal & help people, we will not only save billions of dollars on health issues caused from prescription medicines, but people may have better hope in healing, health, and living purer lives.
Category: HERBS
