When many people think of Nigella they picture Britain’s sensual, spoon-licking celebrity chef (surname unnecessary), famous for her comfort food cookbooks which give instructions on how to take pleasure in food. However, for herbalists nigella is a little black seed known as a panacea with a wide range of health benefits. In fact Prophet Mohammed described nigella (the seed, not the domestic goddess) as “a remedy for every illness except death.”

Nigella has shown an ability to fight cell damage and inflammation, strengthen the immune system and protect the body from various chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes (by improving blood sugar levels), heart disease (by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure), metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It may also enhance brain function and male fertility, fight bacteria, viruses (including COVID-19), fungi and yeasts, protect against liver damage, enhance kidney function, benefit Hashimoto’s disease and addiction, assist PMS and menopause and treat stomach ulcers.

Nigella has been the subject of exciting studies investigating COVID-19 prevention and treatment. A 2021 contemporary review concluded that “a lifestyle combined with exercise training and [nigella] supplementation can be effective in reducing COVID-19 mortality”. The authors said recent studies have shown that nigella can play a therapeutic role for COVID-19 by strengthening the immune and respiratory systems as well as inhibiting COVID-19 receptors.

References

HEC monograph

Shirvani H, Rostamkhani F, Arabzadeh E, Mohammadi F, Mohammadi F. Potential role of Nigella sativa supplementation with physical activity in prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19: a contemporary review. Sport Sci Health. 2021;17(4):849-854. doi:10.1007/s11332-021-00787-y