The Abrahamic traditions of the Bible, Quran, had a mention of Black seed as a ‘blessed seed’ due to its immense health benefits. Black Seed is considered as the curative in the Holy Bible and is mentioned in (Isiah 28:25,27 NKJV)  “For the black cumin is not threshed with a threshing sledge, nor is a cart wheel rolled over the cumin, but the black cumin is beaten out with a stick, and the cumin with a rod.” Black Seed is also described by Muhammad (pbuh), the Prophet of Islam, as “a remedy for all diseases except death.” Recent medical scientists had conducted several types of research on black seed to verify the facts behind this traditional faith. The NaturalNews had published an article on January 11, 2013; where they referred that “Black cumin oil is probably the single most important oil you can put in your system. Every time you take black cumin you are stimulating your immune system to fight on your behalf and increase natural killer cells“. [2] The role of black seed that it plays, to enhance our immunity will not be very effective before briefly discussing immunity.

What is Immunity?

Immunity is the power of the body to restrict illness. Immune persons can fight against the causative factor of an illness and win, so the illness cannot progress in the body. White Bloods Cells (WBCs) work as security forces that are responsible for maintaining the immunity and physiological wellbeing. Among different types of WBCs, Lymphocytes act as a team leader to provide immunity, as Lymphocytes have three fantastic heroes named as T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and Natural killer (NK) cells. T lymphocytes can kill different parasites and cancerous cells. NK Cells can identify and kill cells which are not required for our growth or those are not good for our health. B lymphocytes have a super power (antibody) which gives us strength to fight against the foreign body (antigen). Together they are known as TANK and act as a superhero to save us from any antigen attack, cancerous and unwanted cells. [3]

Immunity and inflammation are interrelated factors, where the later can only be triggered when an infection or a tissue injury has been detected by the innate immune cells. Cytokines, Prostaglandins, Leukotriene, and Interleukins are different hormonal messengers which stimulate inflammation in response to immunity and any allergic-type responses. [4] At the initial stage of inflammation, successful regulation of these hormonal messengers restrict further damage of the tissue and also detain persistence and dysfunction of the inflammatory response, which can lead to scarring and loss of organ function. Failure of treating any acute inflammatory condition may lead to autoimmunity, chronic dysplastic inflammation, and excessive tissue damage. [5]

How does Black Seed Oil act as Immuno-modulator?

Black seed oil acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and has vast potential to provide immunomodulatory effects. Thymoquinone present in black seed oil can increase helper T-cell amount and white blood cell count which is essential for boosting the immunity. [6] Although, apart from boosting immunity, black seed oil can also alter the ratio between helper T-cell to suppressor T-cell and acts as an immuno-modulator.

Arthritis Prevention

Since time, arthritis is a common problem with increasing of age. Prostaglandin and Interleukins have a potential role in joint inflammation and pain. The presence of Thymoquinone in black seed oil can reduce the production of interleukin and prostaglandin level in blood and is effective to treat joint problems, including arthritis. [6] You must gift a pack of black seed oil to your lovable elders and help them to enjoy their life with full spirit.

Reduction Of Asthma Attack

The anti-inflammatory property of Black seed oil also helps to reduce the asthma attack. Stimulation of leukotriene may be due to allergens like pollen, cold season, etc. causing inflammation in bronchi which result in breathing difficulties. Studies showed that thymoquinone in black seed oil interferes the formation of leukotriene and demonstrate effectiveness in controlling the asthma attack. Inhaling black seed oil during allergen season can keep you healthy and vibrant throughout the season. [7]

Prevention against dust and food allergy

Black seed oil is extensively effective against dust allergy and food allergy due to its antihistaminic property (Histamine is an allergy-mediating substance). Black seed oil can control the associated symptoms of dust allergy, like sneezing, coughing, blocked nose, runny nose, itchy nose, and bronchial inflammation.

Activation of Opioid receptors causes constipation. Thymoquinone can interact with opioid receptors and control loose motions due to food allergy. [6,7]

Autoimmune disease Prevention

Autoimmune diseases like lupus, encephalomyelitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and Celiac disease can be prevented by using black seed oil formulation, as thymoquinone augment the T-cell activity and improve natural killer cell-mediated immune responses.  [6]

Anti-tumor and Cancer Preventive Activity

Black seed oil can suppress different inflammatory mediator and acts as an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Along with this, black seed oil increases the number of natural killers (NK) cells and can provide a cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. Both these factors are helpful against tumor growth and provide preventive action against pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and blood cancer (leukemia). [8]

Our own immunity helps us to fight against exposure to any infections and life-threatening diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc. This is imperative for us to boost our immunity to lead a healthy life.

References

1. Reserved, A. R. (2017). Black cumin oil is the most important oil you can put in your system. Retrieved January 29, 2017, from http://www.naturalnews.com/038644_black_cumin_oil_immune_system_NK_cells.html
2. OFER MANDELBOIM, SALLY KENT, DANIEL M. DAVIS, S. BRIAN WILSON, TAKU OKAZAKI, RICHARD JACKSON§, DAVID HAFLER, JACK L. STROMINGER; Natural killer activating receptors trigger interferon g secretion from T cells and natural killer cells; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol. 95, pp. 3798–3803, March 1998 Immunology; from http://www.pnas.org/content/95/7/3798.full.pdf
3. Abi Berger; Th1 and Th2 responses: what are they?; BMJ 2000;321 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.321.7258.424 (Published 12 August 2000)Cite this as: BMJ 2000;321:424; from http://www.bmj.com/content/321/7258/424.1
4. Kim Newton, Vishva M. Dixit; Signaling in Innate Immunity and Inflammation; Published in AdvanceJanuary 31, 2012, doi:1101/cshperspect.a006049; From http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/content/4/3/a006049.full
5. Mohamed Labib Salem; Immunomodulatory and therapeutic properties of the Nigella sativa L. seed; International Immunopharmacology 5 (2005) 1749 – 1770; From http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.473.2704&rep=rep1&type=pdf
6. Subhash Padhye, Sanjeev Banerjee, Aamir Ahmad, Ramzi Mohammad, Fazlul H Sarkar; From here to eternity – the secret of Pharaohs: Therapeutic potential of black cumin seeds and beyond; Cancer Ther.Author manuscript; available in PMC 2008 Nov 17; Published in final edited form as: Cancer Ther. 2008; 6(b): 495–510; From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2583426/
7. Aftab Ahmad, Asif Husain, Mohd Mujeeb, Shah Alam Khan, Abul Kalam Najmi, Nasir Ali Siddique, Zoheir A. Damanhouri, Firoz Anwar; A review on therapeutic potential ofNigella sativa: A miracle herb; Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013 May; 3(5): 337–352. doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60075-1; From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3642442/