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Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with him narrated
that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his
mention ) said: “Use this Black Seed regularly, because it is a cure for
every disease, except death.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
What is the Black Seed?
Its botanical name is Nigella sativa. It is believed to be indigenous to
the Mediterranean region but has been cultivated into other parts of the
world including the Arabian peninsula, northern Africa and parts of
Asia.
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The Black seeds originate from the common fennel flower plant (Nigella
sativa) of the buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family. It is sometimes
mistakenly confused with the fennel herb plant (Foeniculum vulgare).
The plant has finely divided foliage and pale bluish purple or white
flowers. The stalk of the plant reaches a height of twelve to eighteen
inches as its fruit, the black seed, matures.
The Black Seed forms a fruit capsule which consists of many white
trigonal seeds. Once the fruit capsule has matured, it opens up and the
seeds contained within are exposed to the air, becoming black in color.
The Black seeds are small black grains with a rough surface and an oily
white interior, similar to onion seeds. The seeds have little bouquet,
though when rubbed, their aroma resembles oregano. They have a slightly
bitter, peppery flavor and a crunchy texture.
The Black Seed is also known by other names, varying between places.
Some call it black caraway, others call it black cumin, onion seeds or
even coriander seeds. The plant has no relation to the common kitchen
herb, cumin.
Muslims’ use of the Black Seed:
Muslims have been using and promoting the use of the Black Seed for
hundreds of years, and hundreds of articles have been written about it.
The Black Seed has also been in use worldwide for over 3000 years. It is
not only a prophetic herb, but it also holds a unique place in the
medicine of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt
his mention ).
It is unique in that it was not used profusely before the Prophet
Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention )
made its use popular. Although there were more than 400 herbs in use
before the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah
exalt his mention ) and recorded in the herbals of Galen and
Hippocrates, the Black Seed was not one of the most popular remedies of
the time. Because of the way Islam has spread, the usage and popularity
of the Black Seed is widely known as a "remedy of the Prophet
sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention )." In fact,
a large part of this herbal preparation's popularity is based on the
teachings of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt
his mention ).
The Black Seed has become very popular in recent years and is marketed
and sold by many Muslim and non-Muslim businesses.
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Its nutrients:
The Black Seed is rich in nutritional values. It contain almost 40%
fixed oils and 1.4% volatile oils. It also contains around fifteen amino
acids, proteins, calcium, iron, sodium, and potassium. Among its most
effective compositions are thymoquinone, dithymoquinone,
thymohydroquinone, and thymol. The magazine Food Chemistry found the
Black Seed to be high in protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids,
vitamins A, B1, B2, C and niacin as well as calcium, potassium and iron.
These are the very nutrients that modern science has found that we most
lack. It also provides many of the same nutrients that the FDA
recommends to help prevent disease and slow down the aging process.
Dr. Michael Tierra, author of Planetary Herbology, also found the Black
Seed to be high in the above nutrients. In addition, he found a
remarkable number of sterols, especially beta-sitosterol, which is known
to have anti-carcinogenic properties. The Journal of American Scientists
reports that Black Seed has a number of useful properties such as
antihistamine, antioxidant, antibiotic, antimycotic and broncho-dilating
effects.
The benefits and uses of the Black Seed:
The Black Seed is an excellent herb with many benefits and uses,
especially when it comes to maintaining a strong and healthy immune
system.The prophetic reference in describing the Black Seed, as having a
healing for all illnesses is not exaggerated as it at first appears. The
Black Seed has been used for a variety of medical problems for several
thousand years. These uses range from stomach aches to asthma, cancer to
coughs, and the traditional use as a spice. The Black Seed is also used
as: a carminative (rids the body of gas from the intestines), a
digestive (aids in the digestion of foods), a diuretic (increases urine
flow by ridding the body of excess water), an emmenagogue (promotes and
regulates menstruation), a galactagogue (increases the production of
milk), a resolvent (dissolves boils and swelling), a stimulant
(increases the flow of adrenaline and energy), a stomachic (relieves
stomach disorders), a sudorific (increases perspiration), a tonic
(improves bodily functions), and a vermifuge (expels worms). Caution
should be taken when using the black seed by pregnant or potentially
pregnant women, as high doses of this product could induce spontaneous
abortions.
To insure that you are taking the Black Seed look for the words Nigella
Sativa. Only this plant, as opposed to true cumin or coriander has the
ability to “heal all diseases.”
Research suggests that the Black Seed is an effective antitumor
treatment for certain types of cancer, including breast cancer and
fibrocystic breast disease. The Black Seed may also be of possible
benefit in treating high blood pressure. Except its potential to cause
spontaneous abortions (and only at high dosages), there may be little if
any toxic side effects to using the Black Seed.
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Recent research has provided evidence that most illnesses arise because
of an imbalanced or dysfunctional immune system, which cannot perform
its primary function of defending the body optimally. Researches also
indicate that the Black Seed contains an ability to significantly boost
the human immune system - if taken over time.
The role of the Black Seed in increasing human immunity was not clear
before 1986, when Dr. Qaadi and his colleagues started a series of
researches in the United States. Afterwards, many researches were
launched in various countries. Dr. Qaadi proved that the use of the
Black Seed strengthens immunity since the ratio of the T assistant lymph
cells increased by an average of 72% compared to the restraining cells.
Also, there was a considerable development in the activity of natural
killer cells with an average of 74%.
The results of many modern researches supported the findings of Qaadi.
Amongst them are the results published by the International Immunity
magazine in August 1995 about the effect of black seed on the outer
lymph cells and the activity of white blood multi-nucleus cells. In
September 2000, the International Immunity magazine also published a
research on the effect of the Black Seed oil in preventing
cytomegalovirus on laboratory rats. The Black Seed oil has been tested
as an anti-virus substance and the immunity acquired during the early
stages of the disease was measured through determining the natural
killer cells and other things.
In October 1999, the European magazine of Cancer published an article on
the effect of thymoquinone on abdomen cancer in rats. Likewise, in May
1998, a magazine specialized in anti-cancer researches published an
article on the extracts of the Black Seed as a treatment for cancer
tumors. On April 2000, the Ethanol Medical magazine wrote about the
toxicity and immunity effects of ethanol extracted from the Black Seeds.
Also, in February 1995, Medical Plants magazine published an article on
the effects of the Black Seed stable oil and thymoquinone on white blood
cells. Many other researches came out supporting these facts.
More research is being done on the effectiveness of the Black Seed.
Research trials are also being planned in various countries to study its
actual effects on humans. However, we don't need to look any further
than the Prophet's sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his
mention ) words that tell us there is healing in this plant. As long as
we trust in Allah and take the prescription His Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi
wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) has given us, we will all be
evidence of this magnificent plant's abilities to heal all diseases.
Nonetheless, more is needed to be learned about the appropriate doses of
this herb for various medical problems. We pray that Allah may guide
Muslim physicians to take a closer look at this plant and begin
prescribing it for all of our physical ailments.
Conclusion:
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention
) told us that the Black Seed is a cure for every disease. The Arabic
word ‘Shifaa’ (cure) came without the definite article which means that
it is an indefinite word that covers most cures. This means that the
Black Seed contributes to the cure of every disease. It has been
scientifically proved that the immunity system is the only system that
has the ability to combat diseases and produce cells that kill viruses.
Based on these facts, we can conclude that the Black Seed is a cure for
every disease because it strengthens the immunity system which is
responsible for curing diseases and combating viruses.
These scientific facts are obvious. No one can claim the credit of
knowing these facts fourteen centuries ago, except a Prophet. Allah
Almighty Says (what means): “Nor does he (the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi
wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention )) speak of (his own)
inclination. It is not but a revelation revealed.”[Quran 53: 3-4]
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