Miraculous Black Seed: Nigella Sativa

Nigella sativa, also known as black seed, black cumin, kalonji seed and haba al-barakah (Arabic) have been used by people for thousands of years – it can be even traced back to over 3000 years! ​The name Nigella sativa comes from the Latin word ‘nigellus’, meaning black. Nigella sativa are small black seeds, with a slightly rough texture and of an oily interior. This black seed is believed to be native to the Mediterranean region. It has spread over the years throughout Northern Africa, Eastern Asia, and Southern Europe. In the past few decades, Nigella sativa found its way into Eastern Europe and North America. The plant is cultivated worldwide for medicinal and culinary uses. Nigella sativa is sensitive to climate and soil condition so its production thrives primarily throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean Basin which includes India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Sudan, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Pakistan. Discovered in Tutankhamun's tomb and is known to have been used by Cleopatra for its health and beauty giving qualities, the medicinal value of black seed oil was recognized as early on as the first century and it continues to arouse much interest today. In biblical times, Nigella sativa was often used to spice breads and cakes while throughout Europe over the centuries baked goods were spiced with these black seeds in combination with cumin or coriander. 

Nigella sativa poznatija kao curekot/curokot u nasem jeziku no u ostalim zemljama ove sjemenke se nazivaju jos i crni susam, kalonji sjemenke ali i haba al-barakah (arapska rijec) – sve su to nazivi koje ljudi koriste za sjemenke koje su u upotrebi hiljadama godina – neki navodi spominju i upotrebu curekota cak prije 3000 godina! Ime Nigella sativa potice od latinske rijeci ‘nigellus’, sto znaci ‘crno’ (crne boje). Za curekot se vjeruje da potice iz mediteranskog podrucja. Prosirio se tokom godina diljem Sjeverne Afrike, Istocne Azije te Juzne Evrope. U posljednih par decenija, Nigella sativa sjemenke su se pocele upotrebljavati i u Istocnoj Evropi te Sjevernoj Americi. Ova biljka se kultivise diljem svijeta radi koristenja u kulinarske ali i zdravstvene svrhe. Nigella sativa sjemenke su dosta zahtjevne po pitanju klime i vrste zemljista te je njihova proizvodnja uglavnom skoncentrisana prvenstveno na Bliskom Istoku te na Mediteranu (Indija, Banglades, Egipat, Sudan, Turska, Irak, Iran i Pakistan). Interesantno je da je curekotovo ulje otkriveno u Tutankamonovoj grobnici ali je poznato i da ga je Kleopatra cesto koristila zbog obilatih blagotvornih svojstava – curekot u medicini (posebno ulje curekota) je od samog pocetka prvog stoljeca imalo veliku vaznost za ljude a interes za njim ni danas ne jenjava. U proslim, ‘biblijskim’ vremenima se curekot koristio kao zacin za hljeb i kolace pa su i diljem Evrope curekot ljudi koristili stoljecima kao dodatak jelima, cesto u kombinaciji sa kominom i korijanderom.

Skin research confirms that Nigella Sativa helps skin resist the ageing process because it contains a remarkable water-retentive protein. It can help reverse the effect of sun damage on delicate skin and rejuvenate tired looking, older skin. It contains 58% essential fatty acids, including Omega 6 and Omega 3, as well as healing oils including nigellone and thymochinone, which have an anti-histamine, anti-oxidant, and anti-infective effect. Over 100 valuable components include protein, carbohydrates, vitamins A, B, B1, B2, C and niacin (one of my fave ingredients ever), as well as minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, selenium and zinc. Several of the studies have shown that black cumin seed extract could assist with autoimmune disorders. Nigella sativa is used in treatment of diseases related to the respiratory system (asthma, bronchitis, cold symptoms etc.). It helps calm the nervous system, improves digestion and helps prevent and lower high blood pressure. Greeks and the Arabs have been prescribing Nigella Sativa for over 2000 years in the treatment of headaches and it works quickly and efficiently. By simply applying the oil around the eyes and nose, the headache usually disappears within a short period of time (it's especially helpful with half-sided headaches). These seeds help increase body tone, stimulate menstrual period and supposedly increase the flow of breast milk in nursing mothers. But be careful with this claim as generally black seed products are not recommended during pregnancy (significantly boosts immunity), except under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner. Ask a doctor if in doubt. Nigella sativa oil contains Glucoside, which is toxic in nature. Therefore, the use of this oil in large quantities should be avoided. It is also undesirable to use black seeds oil for a longer period of time.

Istrazivanja su pokazala da curekot pomaze kozi da sto duze odolijeva procesu starenja jer sadrzi protein koji zadrzava vodu. Nigella sativa ulje moze pomoci da se vecina stete nanesena kozi uslijed izlaganja suncevim zrakama ponisti, pogodno je za njeznu kozu te obnavlja i osvjezava umornu, zrelu kozu. Sadrzi 58% esencijalnih masnih kiselina (omega 3 i omega 6), kao i zacjeljujuca ulja nigellon i thymochinon – imaju antihistaminski, antioksidantni i protuinfektivni efekat. U sastavu curekotovog ulja se nalazi preko 100 znacajnih komponenti, ukljucujuci proteine, ugljikohidrate, vitamine A, B, B1, B2, C i niacin (jedan od meni najdrazih sastojaka) + minerale poput kalcija, kalija, zeljeza, magnezija, selena i cinka. Razlicita istrazivanja su pokazala kako ekstrakt curekota moze biti znacajna pomoc pri tretiranju autoimunih oboljenja. Koristan je kod oboljenja respiratornog sistema (astma, bronhitis, simptomi prehlade itd.). Ulje curekota pomaze u smirivanju nervnog sistema, poboljsava probavu te je vrijedna pomoc pri snizavanju holesterola u krvi. Kaze se da Grci i Arapi preporucuju Nigella sativa ulje vec preko 2000 godina kao lijek za glavobolje posto djeluje efikasno i jako brzo. Nanosenjem ulja oko ociju i nosa, glavoboljna obicno prestaje ubrzo (posebno pomaze kod glavobolja na samo jednoj strani glave – licno isprobano!). Curekot pomaze u odrzavanju tonusa tijela, stimulise menstrualni ciklus te navodno pomaze kod regulacije protoka majcinog mlijeka kod dojilja. Za ovu tvrdnju licno ne mogu da garantujem i iskreno bila bih u tom slucaju posebno oprezna jer sam cula od par osoba da se uopste ne preporucuje konzumacija curekota tokom trudnoce (jer podize imunitet) – osim ukoliko je to dokrot odobrio. Ja bih se u svakom slucaju konsultovala sa strucnom osobom na ovu temu. Ulje curekota sadrzi glukozamin koji moze biti toksican u velikim kolicinama. Uopsteno je najbolje drzati se ‘zlatne sredine’ te ne pretjerivati niti u kolicini ali ni u trajnosti koristenja curekota ili njegovog ulja.

This is a very specific oil which I personally view as more of a cure than a regular beauty treatment/oil such as the almond, hazelnut or grapeseed oil I often use. It has a very strong, specific scent – borderline with pungent. If you can overlook or simply don't mind the scent or the intense taste – this blackseed oil can be of great benefit. It's said that the black seed oil plays a significant role in hair growth stimulation by strengthening the hair follicles which result in strong hair roots. The antioxidant and purifying nature of black seed oil should make hair grow stronger and more healthy and you can apply 1/2 spoon of Nigella sativa oil with  a mixture of coffee (one cup) twice a day. There's also an instruction of rubbing your hair with lime juice, leave it on for 15 minutes. Then you wash it out with shampoo and use Nigella sativa oil on dry, freshly washed hair. Rubbing this oil into cuticles along with consuming one teaspoon daily should help make nails stronger. This is something I can stand behind and even though it's early to tell – I think I'm noticing improvement! Nigella sativa oil may be used to heal a lot of skin diseases: dry skin, cracks, psoriasis, eczema, spots etc. It relieves skin from itching and prevents infections. There is this recipe of the mix of honey (2tsp) + Nigella sativa oil (1/2 tsp) + olive oil (1/2 tsp). this mixture should be used twice a day (morning and night) for a month to achieve glowing, radiant skin. There are many variations of this recipe with just honey or olive oil, some add orange juice others vinegar. I'm a bit apprehensive and I'll just dot some Nigella sativa oil on a blemish scar/spot. I have noticed that reddish spots fade faster. It's of a very strong scent and smell so it isn't for everyone but it reminds me of all somun's sprinkled with black seed which we eat in Sarajevo not only during Ramadan but they do have a special charm during this period. I sometimes steep one teaspoon of squashed black seeds and make a tea (I like to add honey and sometimes even some milk!).

Moj dozivljaj ovog neobicnog ulja curekota jeste da ga tretiram vise kao neku vrstu lijeka radije nego klasicno beauty ulje poput bademovog, ljesnikovog ili ulja sjemenki grozdja koje zaista cesto koristim za najsitnije stvari (poput skidanja sminke sa ociju). Curekotovo ulje je dosta intenzivnog, specificnog mirisa – nalazi se na granici prijatnosti za neke ljude. Ukoliko vam miris ne smeta ili jednostavno mozete sa njim izaci na kraj, te ako ni ukus ulja u dnevnoj konzumaciji ne predstavlja problem – curekotovo ulje moze postati vas najbolji prijatelj. Vjeruje se da curekotovo ulje ima znacajan utjecaj na stimulaciju rasta kose, osnazujuci folikule dlake sto rezultira snaznim, cvrstim korijenom vlasi. Curekotovo ulje je prociscujuce i antioksidantne prirode i pronasla sam brojne recepte za upotrebu ovog ulja na kosi. Cesto se spominje mjesavina 1/2 supene kasike curekotovog ulja i soljice mljevene kafe koja se koristi kao pakung pred pranje kose. Takodjer postoji recept sa uljem limete koje bi trebalo odstojati na kosi 15 minuta, potom samponirati kosu i curekotovo ulje nanijeti na svjeze oprane i osusene krajeve. Masiranje noktica i zanoktica uljem curekota se preporucuje za jacanje noktica i to je nesto sto i sama praktikujem. Mislim da je previse rano donositi zakljucke, no za sada su dojmovi pozitivni! Nigella sativa cisto ulje curekota se koristi u tretiranju koznih stanja poput suhe koze, ispucale koze, ekcema, akni itd. Poznato je kao efektno u ublazavanju svraba i infekcija. Postoji recept za masku sa curekotovim uljem za lice; 2 cajne kasike meda + 1/2 cajne kasike curekotovog ulja + 1/2 cajne kasike  maslinovog ulja. Preporucuje se upotreba ujutro i navecer tokom mjesec dana kako bi se postigao prirodni sjaj i zdrav izgled koze. Postoje razne varijacije ove recepture gdje se koristi sok narandze, nekada ocat, samo maslinovo ulje i sl. Za sebe mogu reci da imam neku mentalnu barijeru koja mi ne dopusta da se u potpunosti prepustm ovakvim mjesavinama. Vise volim cistim prsticem nanijeti kap curekotovog ulja na aknicu i pustiti da samo ucini svo posao. I zaista, prilicno je efektno u ublazavanju crvenkastih flekica sa lica. Curekotovo ulje je nesumnjivo fantasticnog djelovanja, nema svrhe opovrgavati njegove ‘super moci’ no zbog specificnog mirisa i ukusa jednostavno nije za svakoga. Ako zelite isprobati manju kolicinu ovog ulja, istestirati ga – preporucujem Gameha cisto curekotovo ulje Nigella sativa (samo njega i trazite) koje se moze pronaci u Butik Bademu. Bocica od 60ml kosta 8KM i mislim da je idealna za upoznavanje sa ovim uljem. Iako ne mogu uvijek podnijeti ukus i progutati kasiku curekotovog ulja na prazan stomak svako jutro – uvijek me podsjeca na sarajevske samune posute curekotom. Jednom sam isprobala napraviti caj od kasicice zgnjecenog curekota i dopao mi se! Dodala sam meda i malo mlijeka i uopste nije bio los. 

*Some of these products may have been sent to me for review. For more information, see my disclaimer.