I am constantly surprised of the healing potential of black cumin seed. Not so well known in the Western world it is famous as being a cure for all illnesses in the Orient.
Science has just revealed that Thymoquinone (TQ), a compound present in the oil of black seeds is useful in treating pancreatic cancer. This cancer is one of the most severe cancers where the survival rate is extremely low.
Black seed is highly revered in the Orient due to the saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SWS)
"Hold on to the use of the black seed for indeed it has a remedy for every disease except death."
Although this statement may appear to be unbelievable, it is more astounding how over 700 research papers are uncovering more and more healing capacities of this timeless herb including various cancers, tumour removal, parasites the list is actually too great to list here. It has to date received 6 patents for
1) Use of nigella sativa for inhibition of cancer cell growth US Patent No 5653981
2)Use of Nigella sativa to increase immune function US Patent No 5482711
3) Herbal composition for diabetes using 23% nigella sativa US Patent No 6042834
4) Asthma/allergy therapy using nigella sativa Patent No EP1709995
5) For Viral Infections US Patent No 6,841,174
6) For Psoriasis US Patent No 6,531,164
Since curing a famous showhorse and an important politician of acute Asthma science has put black seed to serious study.
The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute researchers presented, at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting in San Diego, CA, the potential benefits of Thymoquinone (TQ), in treating pancreatic cancer.
Sanjeev Banerjee, Ph.D. said:-
"Our goal with this study was to increase the effectiveness of current pancreatic cancer treatments with a naturally occurring substance. We also explored the molecular mechanisms associated with TQ to promote better therapeutic outcomes."
Drs. Banerjee and Sarkar, along with Karmanos researchers Ramzi Mohammad, Ph.D. and Zhiwei Wang, Ph.D., pre-treated pancreatic tumour cells possessing different molecular signatures with TQ prior to administering Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin.
They found that TQ significantly enhanced the chemosensitivity of the tumour cells, making the Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin agents more effective in treating the cancer. The TQ pre-treatment improved the drugs' effect on promoting cancer cell death and halting tumour cell growth.
Karmanos researchers also discovered at a molecular level, TQ down regulated the normally active NF-B transcription factor and several of its downstream effector genes responsible for metastasis and cell invasion. NF-B is involved in cellular responses to stimuli such as stress, free radicals, ultraviolet irradiation and bacterial or viral antigens. It also plays a key role in regulating the immune response to infection, and is instrumental in the development of many chronic diseases, including cancer.
These results suggest that an important molecular target could be down regulated by TQ in reversing chemoresistance, as well as the inhibition of invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer.
Black seed has the potential to heal many diseases without any nasty adverse affects. The 100 healing components within the seed work synegetically meaning they complement each other naturally in the healing process.
Black seed is powerful enough to be used at a Practitioners level with astounding versatility.
Black cumin oil is also safe enough to be used as a household remedy for almost every ailment from stomach ache, insect stings, allergies, colds, flu, bruises, hair loss, lethargy etc.. (While black seed has been found safe to be taken with all other medicines it should only not be taken during pregnancy.)
