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What is Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) ?
Nigella Sativa is a flowering plant, native to southwest Asia that grows to 20-30 cm tall with linear leaves. The flowers are delicate, and usually colored pale blue and white, with 5-10 petals. The fruit is a large and inflated capsule composed of 3-7 united follicles, each containing numerous seeds. The seed is used as a spice
There is a huge understanding about the names of this spice. Nigella Sativa seed is also known as Kalonji (Hindi), Kezah (Hebrew), Habbat-el-barakah (literally seeds of blessing Arabic) or Siyah Daneh (Persian). In English, it is called Fennel Flower, Black Caraway, Nutmeg Flower or Roman Coriander. Frequently the seeds are referred to as Black Cumin; this is, however, also used for a different spice, Bunium Persicum. It is also sometimes just referred to as Nigella or Black Seed. An old English name gith is now used for the corn cockle.
Nigella Sativa belongs to the Plant family of Ranunculaceae (buttercup family). Nigella seeds have little odour, but when ground or chewed they develop a vaguely oregano-like scent. The taste is aromatic and slightly bitter; some it called "pungent" and "smoky" and even compared to black pepper.
Nigella Sativa originated probably from Western Asia.Today, the plant is cultivated from Egypt to India.
In the essential oil (avr. 0.5%, max. 1.5%), thymoquinone was identified as the main component (up to 50%) besides p-cymene (40%), a-pinene (up to 15%), dithymoquinone and thymohydroquinone. Other terpene derivatives were found only in trace amounts: Carvacrol, carvone, limonene, 4-terpineol, citronellol. Furthermore, the essential oil contains significant (10%) amounts of fatty acid ethyl esters. On storage, thymoquinone yields dithymoquinonene and higher oligocondensation products (nigellone).
The seeds also contain numerous esters of structurally unusual unsaturated fatty acids with terpene alcohols (7%); furthermore, traces of alkaloids are found in the seeds. The seeds also contain a fatty oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids, mainly linoleic acid (50 - 60%), oleic acid (20%), eicodadienoic acid (3%) and dihomolinoleic acid (10%) which is characteristic for the genus. Saturated fatty acids (palmitic, stearic acid) amount to about 30% or less. Commercial nigella oil ("Black Seed Oil", "Black Cumin Oil") may also contain parts of the essential oil, mostly thymoquinone, by which it acquires an aromatic flavour.
Discover Miraculous Medicinal Uses of Nigella Sativa
The seeds of Nigella Sativa are beneficial for the digestive system, soothing stomach pains and spasms and easing wind, bloating and colic. The ripe seed is anthelmintic, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, laxative and stimulant. An infusion is used in the treatment of digestive and menstrual disorders, and bronchial complaints.
The seeds are used in India to treat intestinal worms, especially in children. Externally, the seed is ground into a powder, mixed with sesame oil and used to treat abscesses, haemorrhoids and orchitis. The powdered seed been used to remove lice from the hair. The Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) Seed is also a source of calcium, iron, sodium, and potassium. Required only in small amounts by the body, these elements' main function is to act as essential cofactors in various enzyme functions.
References : Source and articles from http://www.nigella-sativa-seeds.com/
Other related website :-
- http://www.newcrops.uq.edu.au/listing/nigellasativa.htm
- http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/shaheen_baya/index.htm
- http://www.guidedways.com/articles/blackseed.php
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12722128?dopt=Abstract
- Thymoquinone and Nigella sativa oil protection against methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemia in rats.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...
- Black cumin seed essential oil, as a potent analgesic and antiinflammatory drug.
- Gastroprotective Effect of an Aqueous Suspension of Black Cumin Nigella sativa on Necrotizing Agents-Induced Gastric Injury in Experimental Animals.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19568521?...
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