The black seeds of the Nigella Sativa plant have been known since the days of the Assyrians and Ancient Egyptians for their wonderful medicinal properties. The oil produced from them, known as both black seed oil and nigella oil, is 35% more concentrated than the raw seed.The oil contains abundant sources of all the essential fatty acids including oleic, linoleic, linolenic and palmitic acids. It is an anti-oxident and anti-fungal. In ancient times it was used as a cure-all. Today it still continues to be used for many medical problems.
Nigella oil is also a beauty aid. It can be used as a hair conditioner and to stimulate hair growth, and natural skin moisturizer, lightener and cleanser.
Warning: If pregnant, breast feeding, diabetic or under any medication, please consult your doctor before taking internally. For those with over sensitive skin try a patch test before applying externally.
It is important when purchasing the oil to check that it is a 100% pure cold pressed oil with no additives. Best if kept stored in a cool area or refrigerated.
The seed is very popular in cooking in the Middle East, India and Egypt and well worth giving a try.
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Tips on external use of Nigella Oil
Acne, sinusitis: Steam face in vapor from hot water with 1/2 teaspoon of oil.
Asthma, flu and cough: Rub the back and chest with oil.
Hair Loss : Rinse hair with lemon juice, leave for 15 mins, wash and dry. Then apply 1 tsp oil.
Headache : Rub the forehead and temples with oil.
Tummy ache and babies colic : Rub tummy with oil in a circular motion.
Skin fungus : Wipe area with cider vinegar, then apply oil. Repeat if necessary.
Sore muscles, back ache and arthritis : Massage the area with the oil.
Healthy Skin : Mix equal parts virgin olive oil and black seed oil. apply to face and leave on for one hour. Then wash face with mild soap and water.
Asthma, flu and cough: Rub the back and chest with oil.
Hair Loss : Rinse hair with lemon juice, leave for 15 mins, wash and dry. Then apply 1 tsp oil.
Headache : Rub the forehead and temples with oil.
Tummy ache and babies colic : Rub tummy with oil in a circular motion.
Skin fungus : Wipe area with cider vinegar, then apply oil. Repeat if necessary.
Sore muscles, back ache and arthritis : Massage the area with the oil.
Healthy Skin : Mix equal parts virgin olive oil and black seed oil. apply to face and leave on for one hour. Then wash face with mild soap and water.
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Naan Bread with Nigella Seed
From the Epicentre
1 tsp sugar
3/4 cup (210 ml) water, warm
1 oz (30 g) dried yeast
1 lb (455 g) white flour
1 tsp nigella seeds
1 tsp salt
6 tbsp yogurt (or soy yogurt)
2 tbsp ghee melted (or vegetable oil)
oil to coat
Dissolve sugar in the warm water and sprinkle yeast on it. Leave for 15 minutes. Make sure it froths, otherwise use a new batch. Sift flour and salt into bowl and mix in nigella seeds. Make a depression in the flour and pour in yogurt, ghee and the yeast mixture. Mix well and knead into a dough for about 10 minutes. Form a ball. Put a little oil in another bowl and turn the ball of dough in it until it is covered in oil. Discard excess oil. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to double in size - about 2 hours). Knead the ball down again and divide into 6 portions. Flatten these in turn and mould into pear shapes. Place on a greased tray and bake for 10 -15 minutes at 450°F (230°C). Finish under grill if necessary.
Technorati Tags: black+cumin+oil nigella+oil black+seed+oil
From the Epicentre
1 tsp sugar
3/4 cup (210 ml) water, warm
1 oz (30 g) dried yeast
1 lb (455 g) white flour
1 tsp nigella seeds
1 tsp salt
6 tbsp yogurt (or soy yogurt)
2 tbsp ghee melted (or vegetable oil)
oil to coat
Dissolve sugar in the warm water and sprinkle yeast on it. Leave for 15 minutes. Make sure it froths, otherwise use a new batch. Sift flour and salt into bowl and mix in nigella seeds. Make a depression in the flour and pour in yogurt, ghee and the yeast mixture. Mix well and knead into a dough for about 10 minutes. Form a ball. Put a little oil in another bowl and turn the ball of dough in it until it is covered in oil. Discard excess oil. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to double in size - about 2 hours). Knead the ball down again and divide into 6 portions. Flatten these in turn and mould into pear shapes. Place on a greased tray and bake for 10 -15 minutes at 450°F (230°C). Finish under grill if necessary.
Technorati Tags: black+cumin+oil nigella+oil black+seed+oil
14 comments:
Dear Jackie,
I have never heard of this oil before and never know what I will find in your healing garden. Is there a particular tea you might recommend for a boost to the immune system?
My family has often used Nigella seeds as a supplement. It's referred to as 'kulunji' in Urdu, and is seen as something of a wonder seed.
I look forward to trying out this naan recipe.
I never heard of it either. Thanks for sharing!:-)
God's Grace.
Plain old green tea is excellent for boosting the immune system and I read recently that white tea is even better. So I now drink both :)
Thanks for the recipes with these essential oils! I will put these recipes to good use.
My 9 year old daughter suffers from mild psaris (It is late and I think I misspelled that!) Do you have any herbal recipes for moistening her skin that you would recommend?
She gets dry itchy patches.
Thanks,
Beth
Hi, stopped by to see what was growing in your garden.
Very interesting blog!
Is Nigella the same as Love in a Mist? It's a beautiful plant, and self seeds freely. One of my favourite annuals.
It sounds as if you can use the abundant seeds somewhat like poppy seeds. Thanks for this post, Jackie, I enjoyed it!
Around the funny farm : Aloe vera or calendula (my latest post) might help but will not cure. It has to be treated internally as well as externally and her diet might need to be adjusted. A visit to a naturopath might be worthwhile.
Marion: The plants are both in the same family.
I just discovered your blog and I love it. I make a healing salve and a soap out of nigella oil. I also take it as a dietary supplement. You might want to see my website: www.wisewomenofthewest.com
or my blog: www.mysteryranch.blogspot.com
And by the way "from around the funny farm", nigella oil is good on psoriasis and so is my salve, which also contains a sea weed and many other herbs good for the skin.
I love to use natural herbal products and try to make my own blends of various herbs and natural oils to use as aromatic products or for internal use as a natural substitute for allopathic vitamins
I have found Nigella Oil( a.k.a. as ZAIT HABBA SOUDA in arabic ) as one of nature's best gift to mankind. I use it myself and also recommend others to use it. many people have got rid of their suffering/ailments like constipation, high blood pressure, diabetic sugar levels, rheumatic problems, cholesterol, fatigue due to obesity and upto a certain extent of impotency too.
I have heard about this oil. This oil is so effective for any disease.
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