For the last couple months I'm seeing, over and over, articles on the Internet about a black seed that is said to have many health benefits - Nigella Sativa. This morning I came across an article by Green Med Info that contained lots of interesting information. Also known as Black Cumin, this tiny black seed is believed by many to be a powerful herb with numerous health benefits.
While black seed is said to be anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory, what I find most interesting is that it is believed to be antibacterial and said to not only kill MRSA (Methicillin-resistand Staphylococcus Aureus) but also believed to kill h.pylori. According to Russ Bianchi, h.pylori is the most common cause of heartburn and can be eradicated with cayenne pepper. I am interested to know if this tiny black seed can contribute to killing borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease bacteria, since it is believed to be anti-bacterial.
I buy my black seeds from Amazon, but I've read I might be able to find them in my local, Indian spice store. Black Cumin tastes a bit like lemony pepper. I grind the seeds in my Melitta coffee grinder, put the powder in a small bowl and my husband uses it like pepper. I've used a pepper-type shaker, but since it is a bit oily, it sticks together; a bowl/spoon seems to work better. I'm not a big fan of pepper, so I would probably need to encapsulate it, if I were to take large amounts.
