Black seed (Nigella Sativa) is considered in Islam to be a “miracle cure” for all diseases due to the famous tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and has been used for centuries as a natural remedy. But to what extent can this tradition be medically explained? Are there indications and studies for a truly miraculous effect of black seed on the body?
The Tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “In black seed there is healing for every disease except death.” ¹
Ibn Qayyim on the Effect of Black Seed in Islam
The extent to which medical evidence can be found for the positive effect of black seed is discussed, among others, by the scholar Ibn Qayyim in his work “Tibbun-Nabawi”:
According to his statement, black seed serves to²
• Relieve colds and exothermic swellings
• Prevent kidney stones (ground with yogurt and honey alongside warm water) • Kill tapeworms (applied with vinegar to the abdomen)
• Remove skin irregularities like warts and deep moles
• Combat shortness of breath and asthma (with water)
• Alleviate toothache (boiled with vinegar, gargle)
Medical Studies and Evidence
The healing effect of black seed on the body has been proven and documented in several different studies and medical tests.
Cancer Healing
Studies on cancer healing have shown that black seed extract enhances the effect of the chemotherapy drug Doxorubicin. Doxorubicin is used in chemotherapy to inhibit the growth of tumor cells. However, its side effect is that it is toxic to the heart and can cause resistance. “Thymoquinone,” contained in the black seed plant, was able to reduce the toxic effect of Doxorubicin.³
Asthma
As already mentioned in Tibbun-Nabawi, black seed is attributed a healing effect on asthma. Medical studies have also confirmed this effect. It was found that black seed extract could reduce asthmatic symptoms and, when taken with conventional asthma medication, similar to Doxorubicin, produced an enhanced healing effect.⁴
Rheumatism
Also practically a miracle are the effects of black seed on patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Studies from 2010 showed that patients suffered significantly less pain and restricted movement compared to a placebo. Swelling was greatly reduced and indicator values dropped by 40%.⁵
Studies on the following diseases are linked in the appendix:
High Blood Pressure⁶ Diabetes⁷ See also: antibacterial effect of black seed⁸
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