The common name is black
seed and the scientific name is Nigella sativa. It is a member of
family Ranunculaceae, order Ranunculales, clade Angiosperm family.
The genus includes 18 species
of annual plants, native to southern Europe, northern Africa, southern Asia,
southwestern Asia, and the Middle East.
Plant description
Nigella sativa
species grow to a length of 20-90 cm. Black seed leaves are divided into
fine, thread-like parts. The flowers of this genus are white, yellow, pink,
pale blue or pale purple, consisting of five to ten petals. The fruit is a box
consisting of several united follicles, each follicle containing numerous
seeds.
Use in cooking
Nigella sativa
seeds are used as a seasoning and condiment. It adds distinctive flavor to many
cuisines, including those from South Asia, Ethiopia, the Middle East, and
Poland. Dry roasted seeds add a distinctive flavor to curry. Curry is one of
the Asian cuisine dishes that originated in the Indian subcontinent and is
characterized by a spicy taste. Dishes contain a complex mixture of spices or
herbs> These spices includ ground turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, fresh
or dried chili peppers, and Naigella sativa.
Nigella sativa
is also added to vegetables, legumes, fruit recipes, salads and poultry.
In Palestine, the seeds
are ground and added to the bitter pie dough.
In the Gulf countries, black
seed is used to add a distinctive flavor to bread products. It is used in
making the five-spice mixture, as one of its ingredients. It is also used in
the manufacture of Majdoula or Majdouli cheese, which is a stringy cheese
braided in the form of a braid, which is famous in the Middle East.
Health importance
Researchers interested in
the sciences of medical plants reported that Nigella sativa
has been used for centuries in herbal medicine. It is used to treat asthma,
bronchitis, infections, blood pressure, and certain types of cancer, The active
ingredients in black seed oil extract is thymoquinone which has anti-inflammatory,
anti-cough, anti-hypertension, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer
properties.
- Promoting mental health
Black seed
is rich in antioxidants thymoquinin, carvacrol, anethole, and terpineol. These antioxidants
are substances that help neutralize harmful free radicals. It prevents damage
caused by oxidation to cells, especially brain cells and the mental health of
the individual. Antioxidants may also protect against many chronic diseases,
such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
- Reducing cholesterol
Black seed
seeds help reduce harmful cholesterol and triglycerides that accumulate in the
bloodstream, which increases the risk of heart disease. It has been found that black
seed oil has a greater effect in reducing cholesterol than black seed
powder.
- Fighting cancer
Black seed helps
fight cancer. It contains antioxidants that help neutralize harmful free
radicals that may contribute to the development of cancer. Thymoquinin in black
seed stimulates programmed death of leukemia cells. Black seed
extract also helps inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells
- Treating sore throat
Nigella sativa
is used to treat diseases caused by bacterial infections. These diseases
include ear infections, pneumonia, dermatitis in children, and infections of
the throat and tonsils. This is because it contains antibacterial and
anti-inflammatory agents
- Reducing inflammation
Nigella sativa
helps treat infections that are the result of immune causes. The accumulation
of these infections contributes to the development of a variety of diseases
such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
- Regulating blood sugar
It has been proven that black
seed seeds may help maintain stable normal blood sugar levels. Leaving high
blood sugar untreated for a long time may cause nerve damage, slow healing of
wounds, and changes in vision.
- Preventing stomach ulcers
Black seed
seeds may help maintain the coating of the stomach lining, preventing the
development of ulcers. It has been laboratory proven that it has the same
effect as common medications used to treat stomach ulcers.
- Skin treatment
Nigella sativa
protects skin cells from weather factors, free radicals, and ultraviolet rays,
as it is rich in antioxidants. It also contains vitamins that protect the skin
from signs of aging and sagging. And also keeps the skin firm and supple.
- Promote hair health
It has been found that
continuing to eat black seed or drink boiled seeds prevents hair loss or
breakage. It was found that this is due to the vitamins and minerals contained
in Nigella sativa.
- Slimming programs
Black seed
is one of the seeds that work on weight loss, slimming. It also helps increase
the burning rate, in addition to its very few calories.
- Treating infertility in men
Black seed
is used to treat infertility in men. This is because it contains antioxidants
that treat oxidative stress, which greatly leads to infertility. Oxidative
stress negatively affects the structure, functions, movement and survival of
sperm.
Black seed
extract in boiling water is used to relieve asthma symptoms. This is done by
expanding the bronchioles to allow air to flow into the lungs. It also helps
reduce the symptoms of nasal congestion, runny nose, nasal itching, and
sneezing
Nigella sativa
helps lower blood pressure, but not to a great extent. It also has the ability
to fight cancer cells of the bladder, cervix, prostate, and kidneys. It may
have the ability to treat Alzheimer's disease and high cholesterol.
References
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-48798-0_3
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874109003353?via%3Dihub
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259523708_Chemical_investigation_of_Nigella_sativa_L_seed_oil_produced_in_Morocco
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263931795_Phytochemical_contents_and_oxidative_stability_of_oils_from_non-traditional_sources
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