The Secret of the Black Seed: An Ancient Healing Remedy

If you are like most holistic practitioners, you leave no stone unturned when it comes to seeking new tools to bring healing to clients. Certifications, workshops on supplements, books, the latest approach or remedy: you continue to be on the look out for the latest natural supplement or a new way to use something old. The good news is that you don’t have to go on sabbatical or travel to the other side of the world in order to learn about an ancient healing remedy.

An ancient healing remedy comes to you from the Middle East and a 1400 year old spiritual tradition. The Black Seed, one remedy from this spiritual healing tradition, has been used successfully for over 1400 years. This ancient healing secret emerges from the rich tradition of Prophetic Medicine. Prophetic Medicine is the folk wisdom, herbal remedies and healing prayers that have been passed down from generation to generation by the followers of the Prophet Muhammad. One of the strongest and oldest of the remedies is black seed (Nigella sativa).

Black seed is often called “Habbatul Sawdah” which means blessed seed. The Prophet Muhammad is quoted as saying, “This black seed is a healing for every illness except for death.” It has traditionally been used in Islamic medicine as a cure for a variety of ailments from toothaches to asthma to cancer to insomnia to supporting immunity. The oil is also used topically to treat skin conditions and cold symptoms.

A number of studies have shown black seed to increase the ratio between helper and suppressor T-cells and to increase the functionality of NK cell activity. In 1997, a study done in South Carolina showed that black seed had anti-cancer properties and stopped tumor growth.

Black seed contains eight of the nine essential amino acids. It is high in carotene, calcium, iron, sodium and potassium. It is rich in linoleic and linolenic acid. It is anti-pyretic, a tonic and anti-bacterial.

Black seed is often mixed with honey or other herbs in treatment. The recitation of special healing prayers from the Qu’ran are used to increase the effectiveness of black seed or any other herbal formula. While the prayers from the Qu’ran have been used traditionally, having an open heart in prayer by a healer of any faith can be effective in conjunction with the formula.

My experience in clinical practice is that people who have used black seed say that they quickly feel the effects, reporting feeling physically stronger, healthier, and more energetic. Adding the element of prayer increases the positive effects on body, mind, and spirit. These remedies cross spiritual traditions, and are available to heal all who wish to improve their health and well-being.

The following are some healing recipes using black seed, taken from Spiritual Medicine and Natural Remedies by Shaykh Muhammad al Jamal ash Shadhuli, (These are remedies in the tradition of Prophetic Medicine and claims of the healing properties have not been reviewed by the FDA.) According to Shaykh Jamal ash-Shadhuli, “Not every seed that is black is the black seed. It does not grow in every land, and very few people know how to grow it. It can only be grown in high altitude places and it needs a special soil and special water. There is black cumin and people think it is black seed; it is not the blessed seed.”

Gargling with water from boiling black seed will protect the mouth and throat: boil 2 oz. of the seed in 6 oz. water for ten minutes.

As a treatment for cancer: Mix 1 kg of oil of the black seed with 1 kg of honey; simmer for 15 minutes, add ½ cup of lemon juice; then allow to sit in a cool place. Take 2 tsp every morning for three weeks.

Impotence: Mix together ½ kg of finely ground black seed, ½ kg of honey, ½ kg of finely ground pine nuts, ½ kg of finely ground walnuts, ½ kg of finely ground hazelnuts, and 5 ground nutmegs; add ½ kg of butter or ghee; bring to a boil, mix thoroughly, take 2 tsp every morning and evening for 2 weeks.