For thousands of years, cultures residing in the far east have learned how to use their natural surroundings to both feed themselves and to take care of medical issues.
In fact, most of the natural, plant-based therapies we use today for health issues originated in the far east.
One of their favorite plants for health has now become quite popular in the U.S.; as this ancient black seed may hold the secret to fighting cancer and reversing diabetes.
3 Ways Black Cumin Seed Could Help Treat a Host of Health Issues
Black cumin seed is unlike the cumin the average person has in their spice rack.
Black cumin seeds come from the Nigella sativa plant.
This flowering plant is traditionally found in south and southwest Asia.
Growing to a maximum height of 12 inches, the delicate flowers come in pale blue and white and the seeds of the plant are numerous.
For more than 2000 years, traditional cultures have used black cumin seed to treat conditions like headaches and to increase energy levels.
It was so popular and so effective that researchers found that King Tut even used it (it was found in his tomb).
Today we know that black cumin seed truly is a miracle of nature as ‘it’s been shown to help modulate immune function (and may prevent cancer) as well as enhance how the body responds to insulin while also improving inflammatory response.
Here’s exactly how it works.
1 – Black Cumin Boosts Immune Function:
Black cumin seeds have been shown to help two critical kinds of immune cells called macrophages and helper T-cells.
Macrophages and helper T-cells suppress biological threats that could make you sick.
In research from the journal, Ethnopharmacology researchers injected mice with an extract of black cumin seed oil to see how it helped the immune system protect the body against viruses.
Their findings were that yes, black cumin seed extract, did help battle viral infection.
What caused the boost in immune function?
The researchers think a substance called thymoquinone “specifically boosts the survival rate and activity of other key cells in the immune response… this activity, known as ‘conditioning’ amplifies the effectiveness of these vital immune system cells against possible threats.”
And while this was an animal study, human studies show something similar.
Life Extension writes: “These effects appear in humans treated with black cumin seed oil as well, according to a study presented at a recent international conference.
That study reported a 55% increase in the activity of T-helper cells, and a 30% increase in natural killer cell function, following black cumin seed oil supplementation.”
By boosting immune function, it could help your body fight cancer formation.
2 – Boosts Insulin Sensitivity:
One of the best ways to get rid of Type 2 Diabetes is to get blood sugar under control.
Type 2 diabetes is a disease that comes from a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. When those two factors coalesce, the body can’t manage insulin well and blood sugar becomes elevated, which eventually leads to compromised insulin function.
But as Healthline writes; there are several studies supporting the use of black cumin seed oil to help treat Type 2 diabetes.
- “A 2016 overview in the British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, indicated that the role of N. sativa seeds in treating diabetes is substantially important (enhancing insulin production, glucose tolerance, and beta cell proliferation). The overview concluded that the seeds also can play a significant role in the treatment of diabetes complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy, and atherosclerosis.
- A 2013 study concluded that high doses of N. sativa oil significantly elevated serum insulin levels in diabetic rats, providing a therapeutic effect.
- A 2017 study concluded that black cumin seed oil over time reduced HbA1c — the average blood glucose levels — by increasing insulin production, decreasing insulin resistance, stimulating cellular activity, and decreasing intestinal insulin absorption.”
Essentially black cumin seed oil can help to balance blood sugar by improving insulin sensitivity which allows for the normalization of blood sugar and insulin.
When insulin and blood sugar fall in line it can help to reverse and even cure type 2 diabetes.
3 – Black Cumin Seed Helps Fight Chronic Inflammation:
One of the leading factors in the development of the common disease of civilization (cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, etc.) is unchecked inflammation.
When chronic inflammation is allowed to exist in the body, the out of control immune response that takes place disrupts essential systems.
This can lead to cell mutation (cancer), overproduction of amyloid plaques (Alzheimer’s), high blood pressure (cardiovascular disease) and more.
By fighting inflammation, you can help to reverse or stop many of these deadly diseases.
Fortunately, black cumin seed has been shown to help fight inflammation.
Not only does it have antioxidant properties (Life Extension writes that black cumin seed oil “contains powerful antioxidants that reduce intracellular products of oxidation, boost natural cellular antioxidant systems, and scavenge free radicals before they can do harm“), black cumin seed also suppresses one of the worst pro-inflammatory molecules in the body.
Studies show that black cumin seed helps to suppress the activity of the “master inflammatory regulator” complex known as NF-kappaB.
By suppressing NF-kappaB the amount of inflammation in the body may never reach dangerous levels which would prevent the formation of many diseases.
Black Cumin Seed, Easy to Find, Easy to Take
Because it’s an ancient seed and grows all over Asia, black cumin seed is very easy to find.
You can find it in whole form (it’s often used as an ingredient in many meals), in oils, or in capsules.
Always select an organic variety as to be sure of the purity and the fact it’s free of dangerous chemicals like pesticides and herbicides.