Nigella (black Cumin) Benefits (Ayurveda Insights)

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CONSTITUTIONAL & METABOLIC INSIGHTS

Recipes with Nigella (black cumin): Sour Tamarind Chutney

According to the famous arabic physician Avicenna in "The Canon of Medicine", black cumin stimulates the body's energy and helps recovery from fatigue and dispiritedness. In Ayurvedic terms black cumin helps build agni. It also used in Ayurved to treat eczema, and boils. It is a hypotensive and reduces blood sugar levels.

Used extensively in unani medicine for asthma, bronchitis, coughs, rheumatism and other inflammatory disesases. It reduces histamine induced spasms. It is an immunomodulator useful in allergies. Black cumin's anti-tumor effects are beneficial for abcesses and tumors of the eyes, abdomen, and liver. Black cumin is useful in pancreatic cancers because it enhances the process of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Black cumin is also used to fight parasitic infection.

A stronger diuretic than cumin. It reduces the size of kidney stones. The kidneys, sweat glands and breast tissue are related. Thus black cumin also increases milk production in lactating mothers.

Black cumin strengthens hair and fingernails. It is a useful analagesic for headaches and toothaches.

About Nigella (black cumin)

Found in Tutankhamun's tomb, black cumin is a famous as an Old World spice and medicine. The 'Tibb-e-Nabavi" or "Medicine of the Prophet (Muhammed)", reports the only disease it cannot cure is death. It's many uses have earned it the nickname "seed of blessing." Use of black cumin (latin name nigella sativa) also appears in the bible (Isaiah 28: 25, 27). It has a pungent, bitter and smokey taste. The seed has an unusual black color. Nearly all names of nigella in various cultures contain some form of the word black. In India, black cumin is called 'Kala Jeera.'

Cooking Nigella (black cumin)

Used extensively in the Old World to flavor food. Used in Turkish bread, to flavor Indian naan bread, and paired with wheat in the bible. Like most spices, roast dry or fry in ghee to release the flavor. Nigella is also commonly sauteed in mustard oil. It is commonly prepared with pumpkin and eggplant in Bengal. Used in yellow split pea daals. It is a common spice in Bengaland an ingredient of 'panch-puran', a blend of five spices in the Indian subcontinent.

Buying & Preparation

One of the few members of the buttercup family used in cooking, it grows in the oases of Egypt. Nigella sativa is often confused with black sesame seed or another spice called black cumin (bunium persicum). Used both as an herb and pressed into oil.

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Sour Tamarind Chutney

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Toasted Black Cumin Wild Rice

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SERVING SIZE: 1/16 tsp
FAMILY: Ranunculaceae
SPECIES: Nigella sativa
EAT IN: AUTUMN-WINTER

Metabolic Effects of Nigella (black cumin)

Classical Metabolic Theory uses biocharacteristics to classify the metabolic nature of food, herbs, lifestyle choices, your body, and disease.

METABOLIC NATURE / BIOCHARACTERISTICS

Metabolic Nature / Biocharacteristics
Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (vital qualtiies). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
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LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

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LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

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MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

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DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

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EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

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HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

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TASTES

The 6 Tastes
Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

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PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

AYURVEDA BODY TYPES (DOSHAS)

The Three Doshas / Body Types
Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
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PACIFIES

AGGRAVATES

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors
Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
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PACIFIES

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

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PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

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AGGRAVATES

CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

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Other Health Virtues

Subtaste:

Acrid

STRONG ACRID

Harsh and unpleasant with a biting quality. Frequently hot & bitter. Examples include radish, turnip, and coffee.

SEE ALL 'ACRID' FOODS / HERBS

Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Moves Energy:

Outward

OUTWARD

Outward-moving substances stimulate circulation, push heat towards the skin, or are stimulating.

SEE ALL 'OUTWARD' FOODS / HERBS

Family:

Ranunculaceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Nigella (black cumin)
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)

Digestion:

Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.

SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cleanse & Detox:

Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.

SEE ALL 'BURNS-TOXINS' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

Energy Vitality:

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care & Beauty:

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Respiratory-Health:

Irritates Throat

IRRITATES-THROAT

Creates abrasive feeling in the back of the mouth. May stimulate coughing.

SEE ALL 'IRRITATES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Anticarcinogenic

ANTICARCINOGENIC

Herbs that inhibit or prevent the activity of a carcinogen or the development of cancer.

SEE ALL 'ANTICARCINOGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

Immune Stimulant

IMMUNE-STIMULANT

Stimulates and strengthens the immune system. Helpful when fighting off a cold or flu.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:

Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Hypotensive

HYPOTENSIVE

An herb that lowers blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'HYPOTENSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Kidney & Urinary:

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Lithagogue

LITHAGOGUE

An herb used to expel stones such as kidney stones or gallstones.

SEE ALL 'LITHAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Weight Loss:

Lowers Blood Sugar

LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR

An herb that lowers blood sugar.

SEE ALL 'LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR' FOODS / HERBS

Reproductive Health:

Galactagogue

GALACTAGOGUE

Increases production of breast milk, often by raising prolactin and diaphoresis.

SEE ALL 'GALACTAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Strength, Muscle Health:

Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:

Essential Fatty Acids

Foods with a Similar Metabolic Nature to Nigella (black cumin)

Ginger (Fresh)

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Cardiac-stimulant, Galactagogue, Irritates-throat, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Hypotensive, Nervine, Vasodilator, Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic
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Basil (Fresh)

Basil (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Nervine, Anti-inflammatory, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Immune-stimulant, Spleen-tonic, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator
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Allspice

Allspice has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Carminative, Irritates-throat, Spleen-tonic, Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Lowers-blood-sugar, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Nervine, Vasodilator
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Cinnamon

Cinnamon has these Actions in Common
Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Irritates-throat, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Hypotensive, Lowers-blood-sugar, Analgesic, Carminative, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic
LEARN MORE
Celery Seed

Celery Seed has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Hypotensive, Nervine, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Vasodilator
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Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common
Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Irritates-throat, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Diuretic, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic
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Mustard

Mustard has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Irritates-throat, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Diuretic, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy
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Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common
Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Irritates-throat, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Diuretic, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins
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Dill (Fresh)

Dill (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Burns-toxins, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Carminative, Diuretic, Nervine, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Spleen-tonic
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Dill (Dried)

Dill (Dried) has these Actions in Common
Nervine, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Carminative, Diuretic
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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Metabolic Nature to Nigella (black cumin)

Dong Quai

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common
Hypotensive, Analgesic, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Nervine, Anticarcinogenic, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Digestive
LEARN MORE
Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Spleen-tonic, Antispasmodic, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant
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Angelica

Angelica has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Hypotensive, Immune-stimulant, Analgesic, Nervine, Anticarcinogenic, Stimulates-energy
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Eleuthero Ginseng

Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Nervine, Anticarcinogenic, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Digestive, Hypotensive, Immune-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Analgesic, Lowers-blood-sugar
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Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common
Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-inflammatory, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic
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Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) has these Actions in Common
Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Digestive, Diuretic, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic
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Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Diuretic, Hypotensive, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar
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Cumin, Coriander, Fennel Tea

Cumin, Coriander, Fennel Tea has these Actions in Common
Nervine, Antispasmodic, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Galactagogue, Internal-detoxicant
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Kushta

Kushta has these Actions in Common
Diuretic, Hypotensive, Immune-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Vasodilator, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive
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Yogaraj Guggulu

Yogaraj Guggulu has these Actions in Common
Nervine, Analgesic, Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant
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Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Nervine
LEARN MORE

Nigella (black cumin) - Metabolic Impact Report

The reports shared below are part of an educational assignment completed by students at the Joyful Belly College of Natural Health Sciences. These represent subjective experiences intended to help students explore principles of Ayurveda through personal observation. In each report below, students ate the selected food for 3 days and self-reported these effects. See other food & herb reports at Joyful Belly.