Cure for everything but death: Known as the ‘blessed seed’, it has an anticancer effect! The source of healing used by Hippocrates in his treatments

He reminded that black cumin, a plant used medicinally in various traditional treatments, is recommended for use in treatment according to temperament in Avicenna’s famous work, El Qanun fi’t-Tıb. Stating that black cumin stimulates the metabolism and has effects on relieving fatigue and drowsiness, Karabulut said, “I think we all think of these small black seeds, which are called a cure for every problem except death, and their bitter-like smell. In the past, black cumin had great importance. It was consumed especially with milk and yoghurt. This practice became a tradition symbolizing abundance. However, we can say that black cumin has lost its former importance recently. “It can be thought that some traditional practices and information sources have been replaced by modern medicine and pharmacology,” he said.

Stating that 14 varieties of black cumin grow in Turkey, cultivated in Northern Anatolia, the Mediterranean region and Thrace, Karabulut said, “As a result, black cumin is considered a plant with medicinal benefits. It is a plant that Ibn Sina recommends to be used in treatment according to temperament. However, as black cumin has lost its importance today, its value in our tradition may have decreased. “Nevertheless, black cumin is known as a plant that can offer a variety of potential health benefits.”

Underlining that black cumin, also known as the ‘blessed seed’, attracts attention with its various health benefits, Prof. Dr. Aysun Bay Karabulut’s research also reveals that this plant has an important role in the field of health.

Stating that black cumin has various positive effects on health, Prof. Dr. Karabulut said:

“It is known to be effective in fighting infections and helps fight depression. It also supports focus by increasing concentration. Among the B vitamins contained in black cumin, there are vitamin B1 thiamine, vitamin B6 niacin, zinc, phosphorus, iron, calcium, copper and folic acid. Black cumin also contains a compound called thymoquinone, which is notable for its antioxidant properties. Therefore, black cumin is considered a powerful anti-cancer food.

With its antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-bacterial properties, black cumin has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. It has been observed that it has a stimulating effect on the immune system. Biologically active compounds of black cumin include dithymoquinone, thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone. Thymoquinone, in particular, is considered an effective nitroceutical agent.