BLACK SEED (Nigella sativa) Also called Black cumin

Produced by cold expression from the seeds, in Turkey, Africa, and Mediterranean countries. Part essential oil, part fatty oil (carrier oil), it can be used neat or diluted.

SAFETY: Used in Middle Eastern countries as a food or nutritive oil, black seed is safe for all applications. Avoid during pregnancy, the oil is useful during lactation to increase milk production.

USAGE HISTORY: Discovered in King Tut’s tomb, earliest written reference is from biblical texts. Used in ancient Egypt and Syria, by Greek physicians, early Muslim, Arab, and Chinese herbalists. Known as “habbatul barakah”, the seed of blessing in Arabic, it is used as a remedy for almost any condition known.

PROPERTIES:

• Internal-oral, as nutritional supplement; suppository; topical
• Rich in fatty acids, linoleic acid, amino acids, carotene, and arginine (necessary for infant growth), it is a nourishing and fortifying oil for oral use
• Labratory testing has validated daily black seed consumption to boost helper to supressor T-cells ratio up 72% in four weeks, indicating potential for an important role in treating AIDS, cancer, immune deficiency diseases (Immune tonic)
• Helps asthma, allergic reactions (Antihistamine, anti-allergic)
• Strong antitumor properties effective against carcinoma and lymphoma have been demonstrated in laboratory (Anti-tumoral, anti-oxidant)
• Tested in labratories to be more effective than some antibiotics against many strains of bacteria including V. cholera, E. coli, and all strains of Shigella spp. except Shigella dysentriae (Antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic)
• Increases milk production during lactation
• Traditionally used to relieve all kinds of bowel complaints, flatulence, bloating, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and to counteract stomach ache from eating green fruit or other irritating foods
• Relieves arthritis pain and inflammation (Anti-inflammatory)
• Systems: Immune, integumentary, lymphatic, digestive, endocrine, reproductive

PERFUME NOTE: Heart or base note, musky tone

EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL:

• Chakra: Root, abdominal, and solar plexus