Nigella sativa - better known as " black cumin " or " Roman coriander " - is a herb belonging to the Ranuncolaceae family. In addition to being widely used in the kitchen, this plant is widely used in herbal medicine and homeopathy as an antibiotic and natural anti-inflammatory.
HISTORY
The first to use this plant were the Egyptians, who used it for the process of mummification of the dead to ensure care and conservation. The Egyptians themselves called the oil extracted from the plant Cleopatra and Nefertiti oil . The legendary queens used the essential oil obtained from it for its emollient, nourishing and soothing properties. Finally, it seems that traces of nigella sativa have even been found in the tomb of Tutankamon .
Even the Arabs called it the "blessed seed" for its inflammatory and healing properties and references of this have been found in some writings.
Muhammad recommended " using the seeds of black wheat as they cure all diseases except death ". This explains why, even today, Nigella sativa is considered one of the most effective herbal remedies for the treatment of various problems.
PROPERTY'
Herbaceous plant rich in iron and with a strong warming property. It has numerous properties known since ancient times:
- Antibacterial , counteracting viral infections affecting the airways.
- Anti-inflammatory and analgesic, which rebalances the skin in general and the scalp in particular .
- Hypotensive , thanks to the presence of prostaglandins. It is therefore able to lower blood pressure and promote vasodilation.
- Antispasmodic , as it mitigates throat irritations and calms coughs. Nigellon - active ingredient that helps control asthmatic phenomena of allergic origin.
NIGELLA OIL
From its seeds it is possible to extract a very precious oil rich in amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, fixed and volatile oils. In particular, carbohydrates (35%), vegetable oils (35-45%), Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats, proteins (20%), essential oil (0.5-1.5%), trace elements and enzymes.
The chemical structure of the polyphenols and tocopherols, contained in black cumin , confers a significant antioxidant activity , moreover, the thymequinone, also called TQ, has anti-inflammatory properties , which can also be very useful in the case of asthma.
Topically, it has a soothing and rebalancing action on the skin, in particular on the scalp, so much so that Nigella is an "orthodermic" remedy and is used in the case of psoriasis and acne. Also effective for protecting and thickening the foliage .
