HABBATUSSAUDA (Nigella Sativa)

Prophet said: "There is no disease but in habbatussauda are healing him, except death." (HR. Muslim)

Herbaceous plant, black seed is believed to originate from the Mediterranean region, but bred in various parts of the world, including Saudi Arabia, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Nigella sativa that Latin name. The shape of the small seeds are black so the Arabs named habbatussauda which means black seeds. Of small and stringy (length between 1-2 mm), black, trigonal shape, have a strong flavor and spicy like pepper, black seed is an ordinary fennel flower plant (nigella sativa) buttercup family (Ranunculaceae).

Sometimes there is a misperception among nigella sativa with herbs fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). Nigella sativa flower types, there are two kinds, one bluish purple and the other white. The growth of interest located at the branch, while the leaves grow opposite each other in pairs. Leaves at the bottom of the small and short, while the upper leaves are longer (6-10 cm). The flower stems can reach a height of 12 -18 inches.

Nigella sativa is bisexual plants meaning that it can replicate itself, forms a fruit capsule containing white trigonal seeds. When the ripe fruit capsule, it will open and the seeds that are in it will be on the air and turn black, so-called black seeds. Some countries are known by different names such as: Indonesia (Jintan Hitam), English (Fennel Flower), Egypt (Habat Et Baraka), Italy (Nigella), France (Nigelle), Germany (Nidella), USA (Black Cumin/Black Seed), Europe (Black Caraway).

In English, nigella sativa plant is more often referred to as "love in a mist". In addition nigella sativa, better known and used since ancient times was also called Shonaiz in Persian. The most pertinent point about the black seed is that this plant is part of a holistic approach to health and human daily life. Has a scent, the same shape as sesame seeds, but black, black seed has been used traditionally for a variety of purposes and healing of diseases associated with the respiratory system, the stomach and digestive tract, disorders of the stomach and liver, immune system, and to keep in good health. In this way, the content of nutrients and healing functions that many in this seed can build up the immune system throughout the day, and also provides optimum source to maintain health and cure diseases.

Since 1959, it has more than 200 international studies from the University and articles published in various scientific journals prove lap against products that have been used traditionally. Although pure black seed is a product that is very effective, however, much research has been done to create a mix with other products to give better effect.

Black cumin seed is rich in nutrients monosaccharides (single sugar molecules) in the form of rhamnose glucose, xylose and arabinose. Black cumin seed contains non-starch polysaccharide that serves as a source of dietary fiber which is very useful. Fifteen amino acids make up the protein which contains black cumin seed, including eight of the essential amino acids. Amino acids can not be synthesized in sufficient in our bodies, while we need to keep the weight off. Black seed contains Arginine which is essential for growth. Further chemical analysis found that black cumin seed contains carotene, which is converted into vitamin A by the liver.

Nigella sativa also as a source of calcium, iron, sodium and potassium which play an important role in assisting the role of the enzyme. It also contains fatty acids, especially unsaturated essential fatty acids (Linoleic and Linolenic Acid). Essential fatty acids consist of Alpha-Linolenic Acid (Omega-3) and Linoleic Acid (Omega-6) as forming cells alone can not be formed in the body so as to be nourished or food from outside that contain essential fatty high origin.

Nigella sativa contains nutrients, essential oils and fatty acids. Nigella sativa seed nutrient composition is: 21% protein; 35% carbohydrates; 35-38% fat. Nutrients contained black cumin seeds in 100 g of water content, namely: energy 531 kcal; 20.8 g protein; 1.5 mg thiamin; 0.1 mg riboflavin; 0.5 mg pyridoxine; 5.7 mg niacin; 185.9 mg calcium; 10.5 mg iron; 1.8 mg copper; 6 mg zinc; 526 mg phosphorus; 0.061 mg folacin (Susilo, 2006).

Nigella sativa oil with 1.4% essential oil composition containing: 21.1% carvone; 7.4% α-pinene; 5.5% sabinene; 7.7% β-pinene; 46.8% P-cymene; 11.5% others. Nigella sativa oil also contain fatty acids, namely: 0.5% Myristic acid (C14: 0); 13.7% palmitic acid (C16: 0); 0.1% palmitoleic acid (C16: 1); 2.6% stearic acid (C18: 0); 23.7% oleic acid (C18: 1); 57.9% linoleic acid (C18: 2) (omega-6); 0.2% linolenic acid (C18: 3n-3) (omega-3); 1.3% arachidic acid (C20: 0). Saturated fatty acids and unsaturated conceived nigella sativa oil is: 18.1% saturated acid; 23.8% monounsaturated fatty; 58.1% polyunsaturated acids (Susilo, 2006).

Nigella sativa is also composed of essential oils, fatty oils, d-limonena, simena, glucoside, saponins, bitter substances, jigelin, nigelon, and timokonon. (Republika, 2004) in the form of glucose monosaccharides rhamnose, xylose, arabinose non-starch polysaccharides, arginine, linoleic acid (omega-6), linolenic acid (omega-3) (Wijayakusuma, 2002).

History of Nigella Sativa

Nigella sativa was first discovered in the area of ​​Tutankhamen, Egypt and has an important role in the practice of ancient Egyptian life. This plant grows wild in Mediterranean countries, and is cultivated in Egypt and Syria. Kings at that time must be very careful in using the best plants as medicine.

Dioscoredes, Greek physician in the century, reported that Nigella sativa used to treat headaches, nasal congestion, dental pain, and illness internist. It is also used to promote menstruation and increase milk production.

Muslim leaders, Al Biruni (973-1048), which combines drugs ancestral India and China said that nigella sativa is a type of grain used as nutrients in the 10^th and 11^th century AD.

In a system of medicine in Greco-Arab / Unani-Tibb, which originated from Hippocrates, Galen and Ibnu Sinna, nigella sativa is a healer very valuable in treating dysfunction digestion and hepatitis described as a stimulant for a variety of conditions, and reliever high fever.

Ibn Sinna (980-1037), in his major work "The Canon of Medicine", which is regarded by many as the most famous books in the world of medicine, both in the East or in the West, nigella sativa states vote "stimulate the body's energy and helps recovery from fatigue or lack of spirit".

Various studies provide evidence that nigella sativa significantly in improving the immune system if used all the time. Reference Prophet describe that habbatussauda as a "healer of all diseases except death".

In the countries of the Middle East and the Far East for centuries using nigella sativa to treat ailments including asthma and bronchitis, rheumatism and inflammatory diseases, to increase milk production in pregnant women, treat indigestion, helps keep the immune system, increase ability digestive and disposal, and the fight against parasitic infections. Its oil is used to treat skin diseases such as eczema and boils and to treat cold symptoms.

Indeed many health benefits that can be obtained from nigella sativa is thus not surprising that he is popularly referred to as "the seed of blessing"/"habbatu baraka", which means "grain containing mercy".

Benefits Of Habbatussauda

1.   Habbatussauda Prevent Liver Cirrhosis. Dr. Ghomidi from King Faisal University in Damam doing research on mice to determine the effect habbatussauda emulsion in protecting the liver from toxic substances called carbon tetrachloride. From the study, it was revealed that the administration of habbatussauda emulsion can reduce the toxic effects of carbon tetrachloride on the liver substance. Another study published by the magazine Phytother Res 2003, in which researchers claimed that rats given a smaller habbatussauda oils exposed to the risk of liver damage when given to him toxic substances such as carbon tetrachloride.

2.   Habbatussauda Prevent Liver Cancer. Researchers in Sri Lanka has conducted a study of 60 mice were given a substance diethyl-nitrosamine that could lead to the occurrence of cancer attacks. Most of the mice were given the herb habbatussauda and partly given another herb. The researchers observed the mice for one week, then they examined the liver tissue of the rats, the result is the effect of cancer is much lower in mice that were given habbatussauda. The researchers concluded that the habbatussauda act to protect the liver from the effects against cancer.

3.   Habbatussauda Prevent Colon Cancer. In the magazine Nutr Cancer 2003, the Egyptian Tanta University researchers have conducted a study of 45 rats that had been given a chemical that can cause colon cancer. 30 rats which are also given orally habbatussauda oil. After 14 weeks, the researchers saw no progression of cancer at all, either in the colon, liver, and kidneys in rats given habbatussauda oil. One thing that indicates that the habbatussauda essential oil has the ability to prevent colon cancer.

4.   Habbatussauda Prevent Breast Cancer. In a study published by the magazine Bio Med Sci Instrum 2003, researchers at Mississippi USA found that the use of habbatussauda extract is very effective at inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells.

5.   Habbatussauda cure Diabetes Mellitus. In the magazine Tohoku J Exp Med, september 2003, researchers in Turkey conducted a study of 50 mice infected with diabetes mellitus with streptozotocin substances given in peritoneum. The rats were divided into two groups. The first group was given habbatussauda essential oils in the peritoneum every day for 30 days. The second group was given liquid mineral without any habbatussauda oil. The researchers found that the administration of habbatussauda oil in mice affected by diabetes causes a decrease in blood sugar levels in rats, as well as elevated levels of insulin in the blood. Moreover, it also led to the increase and improvement of the activity of beta cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin responsible. One thing that indicates that habbatussauda can help treat diabetes.

6.   Habbatussauda Treating Allergies. A study published in the German magazine Tohoku J Exp Med 2003, the researchers conducted a study of 125 patients affected by allergies (sinusitis, bronchial asthma, and eczema caused by an allergy). All these allergy sufferers are treated with habbatussauda oil with a dose between 40-80 mg/kg of body weight during the day. The results showed an improvement in symptoms in each patient with bronchial asthma, sinusitis, or eczema. The researchers concluded that habbatussauda oil is very effective as a supplement drugs to treat diseases caused by allergies.

7.   Habbatussauda Treating Asthma. Since many years, habbatussauda is used to treat cough and bronchial asthma. Researchers from King Saud University, Riyadh, has conducted research on the influence thymoquinone (which is the main active substance in the habbatussauda oil) to the trachea of ​​guinea pig (boar). The results showed that muscle loosening thymoquinone efficacious trachea, meaning that he loosen the trachea and bronchi. This will help the treatment of bronchial asthma.

8.   Habbatussauda Protecting Gastric. Dr. M. El-Dakhakhny of Egypt's Alexandria University, conducted a study habbatussauda influence in protecting the lining of the stomach from the wounding caused by alcohol in mice. Thus, it is evident that the habbatussauda oil efficacious as an effective protector of influence that can hurt the stomach caused by alcohol.

9.   Habbatussauda as Antioxidant. In the magazine publication Vet Med Clin J Med 2003, the researchers conducted research to determine the effect habbatussauda in preventing oxidation in mice were given a substance carbon tetrachloride. A number of rats given habbatussauda oil through the peritoneum. The researchers found that habbatussauda oil reduces the levels of fat oxidation and enhances the activity of anti-oxidation (antioxidants). It is well known antioxidants help protect the body from the effects of free radicals that cause tissue damage and the onset of some diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, dementia etc. Another study published in the journal Drug Chem Toxicol 2003, confirms the effect of anti-oxidation (antioxidants) in the habbatussauda oil.

10. Habbatussauda Lowers Cholesterol and Blood Sugar. In Morocco, the researchers put through research on the effects of habbatussauda oil on cholesterol levels and blood sugar in mice. The mice were given 1 mg/kg of static Seed oil for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, cholesterol levels fell by 15%, down 22% triglyceride fat, blood sugar dropped 16.5% and 17.5% rise in hemoglobin levels. This indicates that the habbtussauda oil effectively lower cholesterol and blood sugar in humans.

11. Habbatussauda Protect Cardiovascular. Already commonplace known that the increase homosisitin substances in the blood increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, cerebral vascular and peripheral blood vessels. The scientists discovered that administration of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 can lead to decreased levels in the blood homosisistin. From here, researchers from the University of King Saud of Saudi Arabia, conduct research to determine the effect of habbatussauda on homosisitin blood levels. The results are published in the journal Int J Cardiol, January 2004. The researchers gave thymoquinone substance (the active substance in the habbatussauda) to a group of mice (100 mg/kg), in 30 minutes, for a week. The researchers found that giving thymoquinone substance can be an effective deterrent against rising homosisitin. This indicates that habbatussauda can protect the heart and blood vessels.

12. Habbatussauda as Lowering Blood Pressure.  In a study conducted by Dr. M. El-Dakhakhny Therapy published by the magazine, in 2000, conducted research on the effect of the habbatussauda extract (0.6 ml/kg daily) in shed disposal of urine and lowers blood pressure. Blood pressure fell by 22% in mice treated with the habbatussauda extract, whereas mice treated with righteousness (blood pressure lowering drugs are popular) decreased only 18%. Disposal of urine in mice treated habbatussauda has also increased.

13. Habbatussauda Prevent Kidney Failure. Researchers from the University of Al-Azhar to do research on the influence thymoquinone (the active substance in the habbatussauda) for renal failure who deliberately inflicted on rats through a substance doxorubicin. It is seen that thymoquinone leads to reduced discharge of urine protein and albumin, and it really efficacious to prevent oxidation and slow down the negative factors that affect the kidneys. This indicates that thymoquinone could have a role to prevent kidney failure.

14. Habbatussauda as Rheumatic Drugs. In a study published Phytother magazine, September 2003, researchers at the Aga Khan University Pakistan found that habbatussauda extract suppresses the production of nitric oxide, where it can interpret habbatussauda effect in relieving joint infections. From the University Faishol Damam, Dr. Ghamidi promoted to the study published in the journal J.Ethno Pharmacol, 2001, that habbatussauda efficacious as analgesic and anti-arthritis.

15. Habbatussauda Killing Bacteria. Dr. Mursi pass from Cairo University study published in 2000 to determine the effect habbatussauda against bacteria. He examined 16 different types of gram-negative bacteria and 6 types of gram-positive bacteria. Most of the bacteria were exposed to the influence of habbatussauda extract.

16. Habbatussauda Development Inhibiting Fungi. In a study published in February 2003 Phytother magazine, researchers from the University of Aga Khan Pakistan deliberately infecting mice with the fungus Candida albicans and then treated with the habbatussauda extract. The researchers found that severely hampered the development of the fungus.

Habbatussauda Side Effects

Black cumin plant is one of the herbs that are very nutritious for health such as treating various kinds of diseases and tackle the problem of beauty. Even the efficacy of this plant has been well known since the time of Prophet Muhammad SAW. At that time Prophet been used as a medium of black cumin plant medicine to treat various types of diseases that are very powerful.

Although this medicinal plant has a myriad of benefits that are good for health, it does not mean these plants can be used at will. But you should know, if the black cumin plant has side effects that can lead to thermal effects are not recommended for consumption for pregnant women. This is because, the effect of the heat generated from black cumin can cause miscarriage in pregnant women younger. Therefore, for pregnant women is not recommended to consume various types of products using basic ingredients of black cumin plant.

According to the results of research conducted by Anwar Gilani along with his friends other than the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University Meedical College, Karachi, Pakistan, which was published by the Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences in 2004 concluded that if a person who is young pregnant, if consuming cumin with excessive doses can cause miscarriage in pregnancy. After it was confirmed by the study researchers from India who tried to prove to pregnant rats, mice were given injections of extracts of black cumin. Results found that the ethanol content contained in black cumin capable of causing induction in mice with gestation of 14 to 16 post coitum.

From the results of research conducted two researchers have proved that black cumin plant is not good for consumption by pregnant women and especially if her pregnancy was still very young because it can lead to miscarriage. In addition, plants consume excessive black cumin also can damage the health of the body, both men and women. This medicinal plants should be consumed in reasonable quantities only. To prevent unwanted things, you should consult your physician first before consume this plant.