Black Seed (Nigella sativa): Temperament, Uses and Cautions
Black seed (Nigella sativa): its profile, temperament, traditional uses, Dr Kalan’s advice and safety notes.
Black seed is an oily seed, so it oxidises very quickly. Crushing it and keeping it with honey extends its shelf life. It is rich in potassium and iron and is traditionally used against intestinal parasites.
Profile
- Latin: Nigella sativa L.
- German: Schwarzkümmel
- English: black seed, black cumin, nigella
- Spanish: comino negro
- French: cumin noir, nigelle
- Family: Ranunculaceae (buttercup family)
- Genus: Nigella
- Temperament: hot and dry
- Corrective (muslih): tragacanth gum. Soaking black seed in water also brings its temperament closer to balance.
- Constituents: an oil containing linoleic acid (omega-6) and some omega-3, thymoquinone, nigellone (dithymoquinone), melanthin, nigilline, damascenine and tannins; small amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B6, A and C, folate, niacin, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, potassium, copper, phosphorus and amino acids.
- Native range: south-west Asia
- Grown in: India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey
- Soil: prefers loose, sandy soil
- Harvest: second half of July and August
- Part used: the seeds
- Forms of use: food, spice, oil, extract, hydrosol; its ash and smoke are also used traditionally.
Species
- Wild nigella (Nigella arvensis)
- Nigella ciliaris
- Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena)
- Spanish nigella (Nigella hispanica)
- Nigella integrifolia
- Nigella nigellastrum
- Yellow nigella (Nigella orientalis)
- Nigella oxypetala
- Common black seed (Nigella sativa)
- Nigella segetalis
Traditional uses
In traditional medicine black seed is used:
- To clear phlegm and relieve gas
- Externally for skin complaints such as warts, vitiligo and skin sores
- With vinegar, for acne and lymphatic swelling
- For colds, and dropped into the nose to clear congestion
- To expel intestinal worms
- For respiratory complaints such as cough, bronchitis, shortness of breath and chest pain
- For nausea and indigestion
- In jaundice
- Eaten each morning with raisins, to bring colour to the face
- Its ash, taken or applied, to help with haemorrhoids
- For headaches
- As a honey drink, traditionally said to help dissolve kidney and bladder gravel
- Boiled with vinegar as a gargle, for toothache
Dr Kalan’s advice
In Persian it is also called “siyah daneh” (black seed) and “shuniz”. Because it is an oily seed it goes rancid quickly; crushing it and mixing it with honey preserves it.
Its temperament is hot, so people with a hot temperament should use it with care: it can increase heat-related complaints. In bilious (safra) and sanguine (dam) temperaments it may cause spots, heavier periods, dizziness and reduced libido and sperm count. Soaking it in vinegar, drying it, then crushing it and mixing with honey moderates its temperament; prepared this way it is used traditionally even in heavy periods.
In people with a cold temperament in particular, it is traditionally used to help heal stomach and intestinal sores, support the liver in clearing toxins, support sperm count and libido, and slow greying of the hair.
Research suggests black seed may help with blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, and it is traditionally valued for anaemia, constipation and migraine. It supports the immune system, and laboratory studies on its main compound, thymoquinone, show anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antispasmodic effects. It is also used for flu and colds. Rubbing a paste of crushed black seed and garlic on corns brings relief.
Traditional sources allow small amounts with honey in the last months of pregnancy and in moderation while breastfeeding, where it is said to increase milk supply. Medicinal amounts in pregnancy and breastfeeding should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision.
Safety notes
- It may interact with some medicines, including those for blood pressure, diabetes and blood thinning.
- Excessive use can harm the liver and kidneys.
- It lowers blood pressure.
- It slows blood clotting and may increase the risk of bleeding; stop it two weeks before surgery.
- Applied to the skin it can cause allergic reactions.
This article is for information only and is based on traditional medical sources and general health knowledge. It is not a medical diagnosis, treatment or prescription and does not replace an examination by a doctor. If you have a health complaint, take regular medication, are pregnant, or are considering this for a child, consult your doctor before applying anything. Herbal products can interact with medicines.
