black cumin seed-Nigella Sativa

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends, colleagues and teachers,

 

One of the wonderful things about our profession, is that not only are we

blessed with an incredible diversity from which we can draw, as we explore the

deep wellsprings of Chinese medicine, but how also, as the most sophisticated,

developed and recognized international herbal tradition, Chinese medicine draws

to it, so many of us who come together from traditions other than that which

originated in the Orient. As you may know, I am a practicing Chasidic Jew,

have studied extensively the Jewish healing tradition, and have integrated into

my practice the wealth of the traditional Jewish medicine, as much as I have

been able to. In unrelated discussions with our colleague, Heather

Austin, L.Ac, she related to me that she is a student of a Sufi sheikh of the

Moslem faith, and we have begun to exchange notes comparing the common as well

as the unique practices of each faith's medicine.

 

She asked me if I was familiar with " Black Seed, " and related that it is a

powerful tonic used in Arabic Medicine, the most potent variety coming from

Yemen. Coincidentally, when my wife and I travelled to Israel 2 years ago and

stopped off in Amsterdam on the way, we met a very pleasant Morrocan fellow who,

upon seeing my wife (who is disabled) exclaimed, " you must try black seed! I have

seen miraculous cures for many members of my family and friends. I get it from

Morocco and it is used throughout the Middle East. " Though intrigued, I never

followed up on it, though upon doing a google search, figured out that black

seed was really black cumin seed, which is mentioned in the Rambam's glossary of

drug names as " suniz " or " siniz " in Arabic. Its botanical name is Nigella

Sativa. Interestingly, later I found out that my friend Nira of the African tea

house here in LA, who imports roibbos from South Africa also sells black cumin

tea. Is anyone in the group familiar

with this wonderful herb and if so could you related its properties, channels

entered, actions and indications, as well as contraindications.

 

Thanks,

 

Yehuda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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