Nigella
Sativa
'Let all the
black seed upon you,
these contain
cure of all
diseases except
death'
Attributed
possibly to Rasool Allah
I have let all the black seed (aka Nigella
Sativa, or black cumin) upon me in the form of whole black seeds, ground
black seeds, or black seed oil for at least five years. I was pleased to come
across a research paper published June, 2021 in the journal Pharmaceutical
Biology suggesting that N. Sativa could have significant therapeutic
effects against COVID-19.
There are many scientific studies lauding the
health virtues of this seed and its primary component thymoquinone (TQ). In
Islamic literature, it is considered one of the greatest forms of healing. The active ingredients of N. Sativa
are concentrated in the oil of the seeds, and the oil (available on Amazon, of
course, as are the seeds) is therefore used for most health benefits. It is notably beneficial
for respiratory illnesses including asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and
influenza along with a long list of other maladies.
Besides easing the inflammation, congestion,
and constriction of airways of the illnesses listed above, various studies have
demonstrated its efficacy in controlling or eradicating viruses including HIV,
hepatitis C, cytomegalovirus, and influenza. An article in the Journal of
Herbal Medicine published late last year suggested that if N. Sativa
was used in conjunction with zinc, the combo could potentially stop COVID viral
replication in COVID patients.
Zinc, a non-fat-soluble mineral, is essential for regulating immune
function, but it can't move through lipid-based cell membranes without an
ionophore buddy that can open a passage through the cell wall. Ionophores are natural
plant products such as quercetin (from onions and apples), epigallocatechin
(green tea), and bromelain (pineapples), and components of N. Sativa
seem capable of acting as an ionophore as well. There also indications in this study the black seed
derivatives can stop virion replication in infected cells.
Unfortunately,
TQ has poor solubility and bioavailability in aqueous solutions, and until that
problem is solved, it won’t be useful as a therapeutic drug. I, however, will
keep will continue to add black seeds to my cereal and black seed oil in my tea
or coffee.