Black Cumin (Nigella sativa)

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Black Cumin (Nigella sativa)

Sat, 25 Jan 2003 19:32:25 -0800

Butch Owen <butchbsi

 

Hi y'all,

 

I'm seeing a lot of bits and pieces of information on Black Cumin on

this list .. so lemme give you SOME of what I have. I know a fair

amount about it as Turkey is a major producer and my Turkish company has

been one of the major suppliers of this since 1996 .. some via direct

export to the US, Europe and the Middle East and some through my US

company in Maryland.

 

The name Cumin is misleading because its no way related to the Cuminum

cyminum most Westerners are familiar with .. as is the case with all

Common Names for plants and oils .. we can get wrapped around the axle

of misinformation easily. There are three species of Nigella .. Nigella

sativa and Nigella damascena and Nigella orientalis. I know little about

N. damascena and N. orientalis so I won't address them in this post.

 

Black Seed is another of the common names .. primary source of this is

Arabic speaking countries .. others are Love in a Mist, Fennel Flower,

Kalonji, Schwarzcummel, Sinouj, Nutmeg Flower, Black Caraway, Habba

Sowda, Devil-In-A-Bush, Roman Coriander and other common names. In

Turkish, its called Karaman Kimyon.

 

Nigella sativa is NOT an essential oil .. its cold pressed from seeds.

It could be distilled .. we tried it .. and the yield was so low that we

calculated the cost of a distilled oil at close to $7,000 a kilogram -

I'm not embellishing on this! It contains chemical components that act

as preservatives .. thus, the shelf life is considerable .. I can't tell

you exactly because we've never had to keep it longer than 18 months.

 

Thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone are two of the components of Black

Cumin. Other major chemical constituents in Nigella sativa are Palmatic

acid, Stearic acid, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Ecosadeinoic Acid, etc.,

lots and lots of protein. Nigella is a valuable source of protein,

carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, C, niacin and

minerals - calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, selenium, magnesium and

zinc - and it's a skin emollient.

 

Published Scientific Reports (that I will neither vouch for, attempt to

justify or confirm) claim that Nigella sativa has a wide range of health

benefits.

 

Increases immune function. ~ U.S. Patents Sections, Anti viral Agents

Bulletin #5,482,711

 

Black seed stimulates bone marrow and immune cells and raises the

interferon production, protects normal cells against cell destroying

effects of viruses, destroys tumor cells and raises the number of

anti-bodies producing B cells. ~ Cancer Immuno-biology Laboratory,

South Carolina

 

Black seed contains valuable unsaturated fatty acids, for example

Linoleic and Gammalinolen acids get into the organism. By that it

possible to reach a synthesis of important immune regulating substances

derived as from Prostaglandin E1. Linoleic acid stabilizes the cell

membranes and Prostaglandin has the effect of inhibiting inflammation.

 

By that the immune reactions are stopped which cause the illnesses and

which otherwise could be the start of many chronic illnesses like acne

and hay fever right up to cancer. ~ Dr. Peter Schleicher Immunologist,

Munich, Germany

 

Black seed proves to have an ant histamine, antioxidant, anti-biotic,

anti-mycotic and broncho-dilating effect. ~ Study of Black Seed Oil on

humans, American Scientists

 

Black seed is truly a remarkable herb that has been used for over 3000

years. It contains over 100 valuable components. It is a significant

source of essential fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates and other

vitamins and minerals. "

 

The seeds are also rich in sterols, especially beta-sitosterol, which is

known to have anti carcinogenic activity " . ~ Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC.

O.M.D

 

Black seed tests prove to be genuine universal remedy. ~ Pharmaceutical

newspaper, Wissenschaftlicher Text

 

Black seed is a valuable source of protein, carbohydrates, essential

fatty acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, C and niacin as well as minerals such

as calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, selenium, magnesium and zinc.

~ Phytochemicals of Nigella sativa seeds. Food Chemistry

 

There are more .. but this is enough .. methinks.

 

This oil has special meaning to the Moslems. In a (translated and

narrated) passage of one of the Holy Books, its written that, " *** He

fell ill on the way and when we arrived at Medina he was still sick.

Ibn Abi 'Atiq came to visit him and said to us, " Treat him with black

cumin. Take five or seven seeds and crush them and drop the mixture

(mixed with oil) into both nostrils, for 'Aisha has said to me that she

heard the Prophet saying, 'This black cumin is healing for all diseases

except As-Sam. 'Aisha said, 'What is As-Sam?' He said, 'Death. "

 

It's used for upper respiratory conditions, allergies, bronchitis,

fevers, flu, asthma and emphysema to name a few. Supposedly it is not

advisable for pregnant ladies to use it .. not sure why, can't find a

credible reference on it .. but I was told this by a Jordanian doctor.

 

Jim Duke says it powerful medicine....and - unless I'm dreaming, I read

somewhere (or heard) that it has some chemical components that have been

recognized and accepted by the FDA as being anti viral......

 

It appears that the major systems affected are the lungs, stomach and

spleen....but, Jim Duke also says it's traditionally used in folk

medicines and believed to be effective for a wide variety of other

diseases and conditions including bilious ailments, calluses, cancer,

colic, corns, eruptions, headache, jaundice, myrmecia, orchitis,

puerperal fever, sclerosis, skin, snakebite, stomach ache, swellings,

tumors of the abdomen and eyes, and warts. SO, all things considered,

I'd say there is great potential for therapeutic value in a skin care

product - huh?

 

There's a book, " The Healing Power Of Black Cumin, " by Sylvia Luetjohann

that covers traditional uses and presents latest scientific research.

In this book, it states that Nigella sativa is the most beneficial of

the three species of Nigella. This book covers the many medicinal

applications of the oil include skin diseases, allergic and infectious

respiratory disorders, and immune system problems. Includes application

instructions for many of the conditions which can benefit from black

cumin on 156pp. I DO NOT have the book. This information is from a

reliable source though.

 

Black Cumin seeds are commonly eaten in this part of the world .. and in

the last few years, there has been a great increase in the popularity of

ingesting the pressed oil. The seeds are a pepper like spice and were

used as pepper long before the Egyptians knew about black pepper.

 

The Egyptian Black Cumin is ancient and native to Syria, but cultivated

from central Europe to North Africa and Western Asia. It is not related

to Fennel or Cumin. In Arabic, the seeds are called Blessed Seeds. The

seeds are often sprinkled on bread and used to flavor some foods. In

perfumery, the seeds, which have a coriander like scent, are used in

sachets and potpourri. They were medicinally used in ancient Egypt and

Rome, hence the name Roman Coriander.

 

Basically, it is a popular spice in India, Turkey, Greece and the Middle

East, and has a long history of use in Islamic/Middle Eastern medicine.

There is much to be learned from the East .. this is one that has gotten

past most Westerners .. but we sell METRIC TONS of it each year.

 

The seeds are carminative and stimulate the appetite. Black Cumin seeds

were found in King Tut's tomb. There are also Biblical references Isaiah

28: 25,27. There's some difference of opinion over this, but most

scholars agree that the plant referred here is Black Cumin.

 

Black Cumin is an annual herb growing to 18 inches high with finely

divided leaves producing greenish flowers that turn a dull mauve

creating horned capsules containing numerous black spicy seeds. The

seeds must be carefully harvested to avoid spoiling. They must be

carefully threshed with sticks and not rolled over by a sledge like hard

cereal grains. This is described in Isaiah as referred to above.

 

More information on the therapeutic value of Black Cumin follows:

 

AUTHOR: Medenica R., Janssens J., Tarasenko A., Lazovic G., Corbitt W.,

Powell D., Jocic D., Mujovic V.

 

ADDRESS: International Immuno-Biology Research Laboratory, South

Carolina, 29926

 

TITLE: Anti-angiogenic activity of nigella sativa plant extract in

cancer therapy (Meeting abstract).

 

SOURCE: Proc Annu Meet Am Assoc Cancer Res; 38:A1377 1997

 

ABSTRACT: Nigella sativa [NS], or 'Black Cumin', an annual herb

belonging to the family Ranunculaceae, has strong immunomodulatory and

interferon like activity. We confirm that our extract of Nigella sativa

inhibits cancer and endothelial cell progression, decreases the

production of the angiogenic protein-fibroblastic growth factor (FGF)

made by tumor cells, and inhibits growth factor for endothelial cells.

FGF-1 and FGF-2 are both localized to myoepithelial and to epithelial

cells. FGF is an autocrine growth factor developed in our immortalized

human mammary epithelial cells. FGF-2, present in aggressive breast

cancer, was suppressed by NS. In addition, our breast cancer cell line

contains FGF 1-4. Tumor growth is angiogenesis dependent and

neo-vascularization is a crucial determinant of the metastatic potential

of the tumor. Formed vessels in tumors are hyper permeable to plasma

protein, due to gaps in the endothelial lining. These vascular

abnormalities could facilitate entry of the tumor cells into the

circulation. We studied breast cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma

cells for acidic fibroblast growth factor which we isolated and

suppressed by NS. We attempted to recapitulate early angiogenic evidence

in vitro by developing a model of endothelial growth migration and

extra cellular matrix interaction. Our in vitro assay revealed that

stimulated endothelial cells can produce degradative proteinase and

invade the extra cellular matrix similarly to tumor cells.

 

Moreover, this model system indicated that a fine tuned balance between

proteinase and proteinase inhibitor regulates vascular morphogenesis and

invasion. Migrating endothelial cells produce Type 4 collagenase (member

of the matrix metalloproteinase family) and serineproteinase. We

demonstrated that specific inhibitors of Type 4 collagenase, general

metalloproteinase inhibitors and serineproteinase inhibitors blocked

endothelial cell invasion of the extra cellular matrix. These inhibitors

blocked tumor cell invasion in the same assay. NS was compared with

these factors and shown to have the same action. The endothelial cells

in culture were reverted to a non-angiogenic state when the angiogenic

stimulus is neutralized by NS. The activity of NS blocked the tumor

growth and dissemination in metastasis and have remarkable promises for

clinical use.

 

The latest analysis of my Nigella sativa follows:

 

Black Cumin oil, (Nigella sativa)

Appalachian Valley Natural Products

Lot #: TU-0

(Injection: 0.5 ul, 10% solution

 

Certificate of Analysis

 

GC/MS Summary of main peaks

 

RT ID CAS# Area %

5.84 alpha-thujene 2867-05-2 0.43

8.10 beta-pinene 127-91-3 0.21

10.71 para-cymene 99-87-6 4.89

10.96 limonene 138-86-3 0.31

12.71 gamma-Terpinene 99-85-4 1.14

24.42 isopropylbenzaldehyde 0.46

25.08 thymoquinone 490-91-5 1.91

27.41 trans-anethole 4180-23-8 0.63

28.59 carvacrol 499-75-2 0.72

34.54 longifolene 475-20-7 0.51

39.69 alpha-guaiene 3691-12-1 0.14

44.14 thymohydroquinone 2217-60-9 0.89

65.94 palmitic acid 9.12

73.78 fatty acid 45.23

74.05 fatty acid 29.73

 

Comments: The sample was of excellent quality and no evidence of

adulteration could be detected. This is a very unique oil which may

have significant commercial applications.

 

Below are notes I have from one user .. who routinely ingests it.

 

> WONDERFUL! SEND ME ALL YOU HAVE AND TELL ME AS SOON AS YOU GET MORE.

>

> Nigella sativa, in my area is on the awareness list, because I am

> teaching it, using it on my patients, and advising about a recent book

> written by two M.D. from other countries, where M.D. has different

> connotations than in this country. Mohammed has been quoted as saying

> that Nigella sativa would help " cure everything but death " . Take

> about 24 drops 1-3 times a day and watch what happens to yourself.

>

> Read " BLACK CUMIN " by Peter Schleicher, M.D. and Mohamed Saleh, M.D.,

> written in 1998 and translated into English in 2000. You are not the

> only one that has talked about it in the states but glad to know there

> there pioneers out there.

 

There is more .. but I think that's probably enough for now. Is it good

for use in soaps? I don't know .. I don't make soaps .. but I sell one

heckuva lotta Black Cumin to some soap makers .. and to cosmetics folks

too. Of course, I have a big Moslem market in the USA .. but they use

it differently .. they ingest it.

 

It remains without saying .. but I'll say it anyway .. This post is

copyright Butch Owen & Appalachian Valley Natural Products; 2003. ;-p

 

Y'all keep smiling, Butch http://www.AV-AT.com

 

Bulk/Wholesale/Retail GC Tested EO, Rose Otto, Hydrosols, Black Cumin,

Rose Petal Jam, Turkish Cotton Robes, and other nice things shipped to

you from our store in downtown Friendsville, Maryland .. pop: 597