What is black seed?
Black seeds are also known as black caraway, black cumin, kalonji, and black onion seeds.
They come from Nigella sativa, a small plant with pale purple, blue, or white flowers that grows in Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and the Middle East.
What are the benefits of black seeds?
Apart from culinary uses, black seeds are also popular for its medical properties. It is said that black seed is a remedy for everything but death. It has been successfully keeping people super healthy for over 3,300 years since the first discovery. So what is so special about these black seeds?
1. Anti-oxidant
Black seeds are packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize harmful free radicals in our body and prevent oxidative damage to body cells. Antioxidants protect against several types of chronic conditions and also cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, and obesity.
2. Lipid-lowering agent
Lipid which is known as cholesterol is a fatty substance that found in our body. High amount of cholesterol in the body can lead to many fatal diseases. In the human body LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides should be less than 100mg/dl and 150mg/dl respectively, meanwhile, HDL (good cholesterol) should be 60mg/dl or higher. Interestingly, black seed helps to lower LDL and Triglyceride and also increase HDL.
3. Anti-carcinogenic
There are studies showing that black seeds induce cell death in blood cancer, helps inactivate breast cancer cells and also against few other types of cancer which are pancreatic, lung, cervical, prostate, skin and colon cancers.
4. Anti-bacterial
There is a long list of dangerous infections that can be caused by the bacteria around us when it invades into our body. Black seeds have anti-bacterial properties and found to be very effective in fighting against certain types of bacteria. Amazingly, the black seed is said to be as effective as a standard antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.
5. Anti-inflammatory
Black seeds have very powerful anti-inflammatory effects in our body. They are effective at protecting against and suppressing inflammation. A study shows that black seeds cure rheumatoid arthritis and also reduces inflammation in pancreatic cancer cells.
6. Liver protection
Black seed helps protect the liver against injuries and damages caused by toxins substances. The liver is an essential organ in our body have incredibly important roles. Thus, these black seeds reduce the toxicity in our body and protect the liver.
7. Regulates blood sugar level
High blood sugar level is one of the common diseases that can lead to many complications. Evidence shows that black seeds maintains the body sugar levels and prevents serious complications, black seeds also reduces fasting blood sugar level, average blood sugar level, and insulin resistance.
What are the ways to consume black seeds?
1. Black seed powder
Powdered black seed can be bought in the market or you can make your own with a few steps. How to make your own black seed powder? Take the required amount of black seeds, heat the seeds in a pan and grind them. You can place it in an airtight container and consume it. Ingest one teaspoon twice daily.
2. Black seed oil
Black seed oil can be purchased in online stores or in natural food stores. Consume them as prescribed on the packaging. If you think black seed oil taste rather unpleasant, you can mix them with honey.
3. Black seed water.
Boil a small amount of water with a teaspoon of black seed. Let it cool and it’s ready to be served.
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