Black seed is the name used for Nigella sativa, an herb in the Ranunculaceae family that produces small black seeds. Nigella sativa is also referred to as nigella, black caraway, and black cumin. Black seed has been an important nutritional flavoring agent and natural remedy for many ailments for centuries in ancient medicine practiced in the Arabian Gulf region, Far East Asia, and Europe. Many active components have been isolated from black seed, including thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, thymol, carvacrol, nigellimine-N-oxide, nigellicine, nigellidine and alpha-hederin. In addition, quite a few pharmacological effects of black seed, its oil, various extracts and active components have been identified to include immune stimulation, anti-inflammation, hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, antiasthmatic, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antioxidant and anticancer effects.
Nigella sativa seeds: folklore treatment in modern day medicine.
Anticancer activity of Nigella sativa (black seed) – a review.
Researchers have discovered that thymoquinone can remedy one of the most virulent and difficult to treat cancers: pancreatic cancer. Black Seed extract does this by blocking pancreatic cell growth, and actually enhancing the built-in cellular function that causes programmed cell death, or apoptosis.
Structure-activity studies on therapeutic potential of Thymoquinone analogs in pancreatic cancer.
Brain cancer is largely a fatal disease. About 60 percent of primary brain tumors are glioblastomas (GBMs). GBMs are considered to be one of the deadliest cancers, characterized by a high proliferative rate, aggressive invasiveness, insensitivity to radio- and chemotherapy and an extremely high recurrence rate. One of the big problems is that GBMs are resistant to therapy as well as a short survival period (the median survival of patients with this disease remains at about one year). There is no “cure” for GBM as yet. Most therapeutic compounds do not cross the blood brain barrier (BBB).
The telomere is a specialized DNA structure present at the ends of chromosomes. Telomeres are essential for chromosome stability. When cells repeatedly divide, this structure becomes progressively shorter. If the telomere structures become too short, the cells die of normal cellular aging. Telomerase (an enzyme) prevents telomere shortening and replicative senescence. The majority of cancers express high levels of telomerase activity. Researchers found that thymoquinone induces telomere shortening by inhibiting telomerase, DNA damage and cell death in glioblastoma cells.
Glioblastoma multiforme: a perspective on recent findings in human cancer and mouse models.
Telomerase inhibition impairs tumor growth in glioblastoma xenografts.
Thymoquinone induces telomere shortening, DNA damage and apoptosis in human glioblastoma cells.
Black seed has also been found to be especially useful in the treatment of breast, lung, prostate, liver, and skin cancer. Researchers have suggested multiple mechanisms for the anticancer effects of black seed and its active compounds, particularly thymoquinone and alpha-hederin (a saponin).
Review on molecular and therapeutic potential of thymoquinone in cancer.
Thymoquinone and cisplatin as a therapeutic combination in lung cancer: In vitro and in vivo.
Alpha-hederin potentiates 5-FU antitumor activity in human colon adenocarcinoma cells.
Black seed has a nutty, peppery-tasting flavor. This flavorful small black seed is often used in Jewish rye bread and Armenian string cheese. Known as Kalonji in India, black seed is an ingredient in many Indian spice blends. Black seed is used in the cooking of Lebanese, Serbian, and Armenian cultures. In ancient Egypt, black seed was sprinkled on breads and rolls.
Black seeds are available from specialty spice outlets and Indian or Middle Eastern grocery stores. Black seeds have no American name. Latin: Nigella sativa or Ketzah (Hebrew), in Middle Eastern store you can find it under the name Black Cumin or Black Caraway seed. In Indian stores it is called Black Onion seeds or Kalonji.
Introduction:
Black seed bread has the ability to help stave off cancer and can even help inhibit cancer cell growth or reduce tumor size. Planning ahead is essential to this recipe as the black seed needs to be pre-fermented for 7days. Fermentation releases nutrients and therapeutic agents from the black seed, making them more bio-available for the body: for example sauerkraut contains 20 times more bio-available vitamin C than fresh cabbage.
This is the simplest sourdough bread to make as far as ingredients: Black Seeds, Flour, Water, Original Starter, Salt, Red Palm Oil, and Honey. It may look a bit complicated at first but this is the most basic bread making process that is in use for thousands of years. It takes 9 days from start to finish, but actual cumulative work time is less than an hour.
Ingredients:
Preparation:
