Since ancient times, plants have been mankind’s most powerful tools for promoting health and dealing with various threats. Thanks to their abundance of potent phytochemicals and essential nutrients, many plants make effective natural remedies and functional foods for supporting good overall health and well-being.
Today, many of the plants our ancestors used to combat threats have become popular superfoods. Researchers have uncovered a wealth of evidence supporting their health benefits, which is why these once-forgotten plants are making their way back to our diets or into our medicine cabinets.
Nigella sativa, commonly known as black cumin, black caraway or kalonji, is one example of a medicinal plant that’s recently made a comeback. A member of the large buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family that grows in the Mediterranean region and in West Asia, this ancient plant is one of the most useful herbs in the history of natural medicine.
The seeds of black cumin and the oil extracted from them are widely used today as culinary ingredients. But in old religious and medical texts, these natural products are credited not only as aromatic spices but also as valuable medicines with many therapeutic uses. In fact, the old Latin name for black cumin is “panacea,” which means “cure-all.” [1]
In ancient Greece, renowned physicians like Dioscorides, Galen and Hippocrates – considered to be the father of modern medicine – called black cumin “melanthion,” or little black seed. They prescribed it for various conditions specific to women and as a remedy for “catarrh” – the excessive buildup of mucus in the nose or throat. [2]
In ancient Arabic texts, black cumin seeds are referred to as “Habbah Sawda” or “Habbat el Baraka,” which means “seeds of blessing.” It is also called the prophet’s medicine by ancient Muslims as the prophet Muhammad was said to have called it a “remedy for everything except death.” [3]
In the Bible, black cumin is described as a “curative.” It was also considered a worthy accompaniment for the afterlife by ancient Egyptians. When archaeologists opened the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun in 1923, among the many astonishing things they found there were black cumin oil and seeds. [4]
On the other side of the world, black cumin was just as widely used as a medicinal herb. Known as hakjung chou in Traditional Chinese Medicine, ancient healers used black cumin seeds to support digestive health. [5] Meanwhile, in Ayurvedic Medicine, black cumin seeds served as a remedy for a wide variety of health issues. [6]
So why is black cumin so highly regarded by ancient civilizations? And what can this medicinal plant do for your health? Here’s what modern research has to say.
The science-backed benefits of black cumin seeds
Because of the abundance of historical references to its medicinal properties, black cumin has attracted the attention of researchers around the world. As early as the 1880s, researchers have been studying the chemical make-up of black cumin to understand the source of its health benefits. One of the notable things they discovered about black cumin is that it contains a wide range of essential nutrients. According to a study published in the journal Phytomedicine, you can get the following vitamins and minerals from black cumin: [7]
- Folic acid (vitamin B9)
- Niacin (vitamin B3)
- Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
- Thiamine (vitamin B1)
- Vitamin E
- Calcium
- Copper
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Zinc
Thanks to its rich vitamin B and vitamin E content, black cumin can support healthy hair, skin and nails. [8]
Black cumin is also a rich source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber, various amino acids (e.g., arginine, aspartate, cysteine, glutamate and methionine) and healthy fats. [9] In fact, 32 different fatty acids have been identified in black cumin seed oil. These include the omega-6 fatty acids, linoleic acid and eicosadienoic acid; and the omega-9 fatty acid, oleic acid. [10]
Linoleic acid supports heart health by helping you maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range. [11] Eicosadienoic acid is used by your body to produce arachidonic acid, an essential fatty acid and chemical messenger that your muscles release during exercise. A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition suggests that arachidonic acid can benefit physically active individuals by supporting healthy muscle recovery after strenuous exercise. [12]
Like linoleic acid, oleic acid supports the maintenance of healthy blood cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range. According to a study published in the journal Nutrients, this healthy fat also supports the healthy functions of your liver and pancreas. Oleic acid is the predominant fatty acid found in olive oil. [13]
Aside from these nutrients, black cumin seeds and oil also contain an abundance of phytonutrients, such as alkaloids, saponins, phenolic compounds and flavonoids. These plant chemicals all possess antioxidant properties that enable them to neutralize harmful free radicals, the main instigators of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress causes damage to healthy cells and is linked to the onset of serious health problems. [14]
The main active component of black cumin – and the source of its many health benefits, according to studies – is a compound called thymoquinone. Thymoquinone is a potent antioxidant that can protect your cells from oxidative damage by scavenging free radicals. [15] This beneficial compound also does some interesting things inside your body.
According to a study published in the journal Free Radical Research, thymoquinone reacts with glutathione, the “master antioxidant” produced in your liver, to form glutathionyl-dihydrothymoquinone. This compound has an even greater antioxidant activity than thymoquinone. In fact, its ability to protect your cells from damage is on par with that of vitamin E, another powerful antioxidant that can stop the production of free radicals called reactive oxygen species. [16][17]
Besides keeping your cells healthy, thymoquinone from black cumin can also support a healthy immune system. According to a study that appeared in the journal International Immunopharmacology, thymoquinone can promote the healthy functions of T cells and natural killer cells. [18] These immune cells are involved in your body’s natural adaptive and innate immune responses, respectively. While T cells recognize and bind to specific antigens, natural killer cells protect your body against threats.
Your digestive system is another recipient of black cumin’s benefits. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that black cumin seed oil can maintain your body’s natural production of gastric mucin, a large protein that serves as part of your intestinal barrier. [19] Gastric mucin helps protect the lining of your small intestine from damage caused by the action of digestive enzymes, abrasion by food particles and invasion by external threats. [20]
To recap, here’s a list of the health benefits associated with black cumin seeds, as reported by studies:
- Support healthy hair, skin and nails
- Promote healthy muscle recovery
- Support healthy immune functions
- Support the healthy functions of your heart, liver and pancreas
- Support the health of your digestive system
- Protect your cells from oxidative stress
Where to get 100% pure, lab-verified black cumin seed oil
Black cumin is a highly valuable medicinal plant that offers plenty of benefits. Because of the wealth of favorable information available on this herb – especially its seeds and seed oil – you can easily find many black cumin products on the market today. Unfortunately, not all of them have the same standards when it comes to cleanliness, purity, quality and potency.
Health Ranger’s Black Cumin Seed Oil offers more than just the unmatched health benefits of black cumin seed. It also guarantees that you’ll get only the purest, cleanest, high-quality black cumin seed oil on the market. Every bottle of our premium seed oil is lab-verified for cleanliness and purity and contains only cold-pressed and unrefined black cumin seed oil to ensure that you can enjoy its full nutritional benefits.
Because Health Ranger’s Black Cumin Seed Oil is carefully extracted without being exposed to high temperatures, you can be sure that it’s loaded with essential nutrients that will support your overall health. Our 100% pure black cumin seed oil also delivers an abundance of healthy fats, antioxidants and other beneficial phytonutrients that support the healthy functions of your heart, liver, pancreas, digestive system and immune system.
Health Ranger’s Black Cumin Seed Oil comes in an amber glass bottle to protect it against light and ensure long-lasting freshness. Incorporate black cumin seed oil into your daily diet by adding it to your favorite smoothies, stews, soups, dips and salad dressings. You can also drizzle the oil on pizzas, pastas and grain dishes. It is recommended that you take a teaspoon of our premium seed oil every day, but if you’re using black cumin seed oil for the first time, give your body time to get used to it.
Health Ranger’s Black Cumin Seed Oil is bottled without any alcohol, solvents, additives or fillers. It is vegan, non-China, non-GMO and made in the USA. Our premium seed oil is also extensively lab tested for heavy metals, glyphosate and microbiology.
Give your immune system the proper support it deserves by supplementing with black cumin seed oil today!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
[2] https://www.medicineancientandmodern.com/
[4] http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/
[5] https://getwellnatural.com/
[6] https://www.planetayurveda.com/
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
[8] https://www.tricitymed.org/
[10] https://www.tandfonline.com/
[11] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/
[12] https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/
[15] https://www.sciencedirect.com/
[16] https://www.tandfonline.com/
[18] https://www.sciencedirect.com/
