Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa) is traditionally known in Middle Eastern countries as "Habbat al Baraka" (the seed of blessing). Due to its powerful therapeutic-like qualities with a variety of issues, it has been used for thousands of years as an herbal antidote in the Middle East as well as in the ports of Asia, Africa and Europe, and is now gaining recognition throughout the rest of the world.

Black Seed Oil can be compared to Echinacea and Astragalus in reference to its immune enhancing properties. It is an immune system regulator and works in a significant, but different way to improve the immune system than most popularly known immune enhancing herbs, making it more suitable in cases of allergies and other instances of hyperactive immune system activity.

The oil of Black Seeds is incredibly powerful and beneficial to any individual’s health. It contains a multitude of constituents, including trace elements, vitamins and enzymes. It contains a high concentration (58%) of essential fatty acids including omega 3 and omega 6. These compounds are necessary for the forming of Prostaglandin E1 which balances and strengthens the immune system giving it the power to prevent infections and allergies and control chronic illnesses.

Black Seed Oil also contains about 0.5 - 1.5% volatile oils including nigellone and thymochinone which are responsible for its anti-histamine, anti-oxidant, anti-infectious and bronchodilating properties. It is often taken orally and can contribute greatly to the purifying and unblocking of the lymphatic system.

The oil was found in Tutankhamen's tomb when it was excavated and is known to have been used by Cleopatra for its nutritional and natural beautifying qualities. The Greek physician Dioscorides was reported to have used Black Seeds to treat headaches, nasal congestion, toothache and intestinal parasites. Hippocrates, the grandfather of present day empirical medicine, was documented to have regarded Black Seeds as a valuable remedy in hepatic and digestive disorders.

Ibn Sina, the author of the Canon of Medicine, one of the most famous books in the history of medicine writes that Black Seeds stimulates the metabolism and help to recover from dispiritedness and lethargy. Ayurvedic medicine appreciates its many qualities and stimulant nature. It is used here for a wide variety of issues like hemorrhoids, hepatitis, fever, diarrhea, cough, tapeworm, and more.

Since 1959 there have been over 200 different studies at universities and laboratories all over the world. At the Cancer Research Laboratory of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, one of the largest experimental studies so far found that Black Seed Oil increased the growth rate of bone marrow cells by a staggering 250% and it inhibited the growth tumor/tumor-like cells by 50%. It stimulated immune cells and raised interferon production (which protects cells from viruses). They confirmed the strongly anti-bacterial and anti-mycotic effects and that it has a positive effect in lowering blood sugar levels in the body, which is an essential part of the treatment of diabetes.

Recently published independent clinical studies have established that have been shown to improving the ratio between helper T-cells and suppressor T-cells by a significant amount while also enhancing the natural killer cell activity. Experiences of doctors in Munich displayed that 70% of patients with allergic conditions, including pollen and dust allergies, asthma and neuro-dermatitis have found very positive results through the use of Black Seeds.

Pictures of the Nigella Sativa Plant.