The Miracle Spice

Black cumin (Nigella Sativa) has somewhat of a mythical reverence in ancient texts of Ayurveda to Biblical references to Islamic texts. Its purported benefits include improving cholesterol, reducing blood pressure, improving tri glyceride ratios and even helping manage post menopausal symptoms.

Nigella Sativa, also known as kalonji, black cumin is used as a spice in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine.

The dry roasted seeds flavor curries, vegetables and pulses. The black seeds taste like oregano and

have bitterness to them like mustard-seeds. It can be used as a "pepper" in recipes with pod fruits, vegetables, salads and poultry.

More than a thousand medical papers have been published in the last 50 years that have cemented black cumin's status in the 'miracle' herbs category.

As little as quarter a teaspoon of black cumin powder a day may result in its benefits being noticed in a few months.

Toast it lightly and grind it to a fine powder. It can be used as an added spice during cooking or simply consume it with a glass of water.

Till Next time,

Stay Healthy

Stay Happy

Mitun De Sarkar

Citations and references

• Ahmad A, Husain A, Mujeeb M, et al. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013;3(5):337-52.

• Sharma NK, Ahirwar D, Jhade D, Gupta S. Medicinal and pharmacological potential of Nigella sativa: A review. Ethnobotanical Rev. 2009; 13:946-55.

• Sahebkar A, Beccuti G, Simental-Mendía LE, Nobili V, Bo S. Nigella sativa (black seed) effects on plasma lipid concentrations in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Pharmacol Res. 2016;106:37-50.

• Sahebkar A, Soranna D, Liu X, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of supplementation with Nigella sativa (black seed) on blood pressure. J Hypertens. 2016;34(11):2127-35.

• Daryabeygi-Khotbehsara R, Golzarand M, Ghaffari MP, Djafarian K. Nigella sativa improves glucose homeostasis and serum lipids in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2017;35:6-13.

• Ibrahim RM, Hamdan NS, Mahmud R, et al. A randomised controlled trial on hypolipidemic effects of Nigella Sativa seeds powder in menopausal women. J Transl Med. 2014;12:82.

• Latiff LA, Parhizkar S, Dollah MA, Hassan ST. Alternative supplement for enhancement of reproductive health and metabolic profile among perimenopausal women: A novel role of Nigella sativa. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2014;17(12):980-5.

• Mousaviad SM, Sheikhi A, Varkaneh HK, Zarezadeh M, Rahmani J, Milajerdi A. Effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on obesity indices: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2018;38:48-57.