Useful properties of black cumin, the use of spices in cooking, medicine and for weight loss. Black cumin-kalindzhi (photo) benefits planting and care Technology for growing black cumin in the field

2018-04-21 20:58:43 0 4871

Real Black cumin, which is a cure for all diseases, except for a disease from which there is no salvation and healing (Death) - this is exclusively a type of "Nigella Sativa" or Nigella Sowing, and not anything else from plants similar and even often closely related to real Black Cumin. The birthplace of Black Cumin, both historical and botanical, is Greater Syria (Sham), which includes the modern territories of Syria and Southern Turkey. Most the best varieties Black Cumin for treatment is grown there, on the Blessed Land of Sham, just as the best dates on planet Earth grow in Arabia, in their historical and botanical homeland. By the way, the ancestral home of Wheat, from which we bake and cook white bread, and the ancestral home of Black Cumin are the same. Their homeland is Blessed Sham. And what else appeared on this planet for the first time and was cultivated by man precisely on the lands of the Blessed Sham? Yes, a lot of things, almost up to 60-70% of the cultural and medicinal plants. The same Arabian Olive (European Olive) has spread all over the world from there ...

A plant growing in its historical homeland in ideal conditions for itself definitely has the best properties than it will grow on other soils, in other climatic conditions, where the sun shines differently (it sets earlier or later, due to the difference in humidity it heats differently, etc.). In most cases, this is true and correct. The best incense comes from the Arabian Peninsula, the best coffee comes from Yemen, the best tea tree in Indonesia. This is their home. Also with Black Cumin, where it first appeared and was cultivated, there it grows best and best absorbs useful material and elements. The richest Black Cumin seeds in terms of oil content are the seeds of the Syrian varieties. Everyone knows this, from them the base oil of the first cold pressing is obtained more than from any other varieties. According to its balanced composition, Black Seed oil from Syrian varieties is more gentle and pleasant to drink and use in medicinal purposes than oil of stronger varieties. Oil from Syrian varieties of Black Cumin does not harm the liver when taken for a long time, like many other varieties, it can be applied to the skin and any mucous membranes without fear of getting unpleasant thermal burns, it is ideal for use by children.

We believe Syrian varieties the best and useful varieties Black Cumin from all existing varieties, optimally suited for use in any medicinal purpose for the following five reasons:

1. These are the very first varieties of Black Cumin that people were treated with; 2. These varieties are grown on the lands of the Blessed Sham (the best of the lands according to Islamic tradition), on the lands of many Prophets and Messengers of the Almighty, which means that everything that grows on this land will be better and more useful for a person than if it grew on another earth;

3. They have the most balanced composition of useful substances and elements, German herbalists prefer to use only Syrian and Egyptian varieties of Black Cumin in their products only because of this;

4. Oil from these varieties is ideal for both children and adults, it works practically without side effects, it is easy to drink, gives high performance in the treatment of the most complex diseases, including oncological, hormonal and autoimmune diseases, and we are convinced of this almost every day;

5. The oil can be conveniently used, applied to the most delicate skin and any mucous membranes (orally, nasally, vaginally) without fear of getting burned.

But what about the rest of the healing varieties of this Black Cumin species "Nigella Sativa" you say? We will answer that in our (and not only our) opinion, the best medicinal varieties of Black Cumin are Syrian, then Egyptian and Turkish, then Saudi and Yemeni, then Ethiopian, Kenyan varieties. All of them deserve to be considered real medicinal Arabic varieties of Black Cumin. Each of these varieties has its own characteristics in the use and unique properties which find worthy application in our Great Muslim Medicine. Each of these wonderful medicinal strains will be covered in more detail in future articles this year, in shaa ALLAH.

Varieties of the "Nigella Sativa" species, growing outside the area of ​​​​traditional Arabic growth of Black Cumin, have weak medicinal properties for many reasons, including the same climatic factor, difference in soils, sun exposure, air humidity, etc. You cannot grow a tasty and juicy banana in the conditions of Chukotka or Alaska, even if it grows in artificial conditions, it will still be tasteless and nasty, with a low content of nutrients and elements. Therefore, varieties of Asian Black Cumin grown in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, India or Sri Lanka will always lag behind their Arab relatives in terms of useful properties. The more southern ones will be very bitter and burn the mucous membranes, while the more northern ones will not get oil content, strength and aroma.

In the confectionery business, the Asian varieties of Black Cumin can be easily replaced by the more delicate and pleasant in aroma and taste sensations (gives strawberry flavor and aroma) the type of "Nigella Damascena" Nigella Damascus. They even look much bigger than Asian ones. Yes, and the classic Arabic medicinal varieties of real Black Cumin of the Nigella Sativa species as a spice for any need will be much more preferable than Asian varieties. Why replace a quality product with its likenesses and surrogates?!

If you listen to one well-known Dagestan chemist with more than 30 years of experience in research and discovery of new substances, who is very respected for knowledge and scientific integrity, deservedly revered among Muslims, then, in his objective opinion, Asian varieties practically do not contain it contains such invaluable and useful substances as thymoquinone, nigelon, thymol and other compounds abundantly presented in the Arabic varieties of Black Cumin, and therefore, Asian varieties have no prospects for being used for medicinal purposes. It is both possible and necessary to believe him, he writes a great work on the treatment of Black Seed, for almost 15 years he has been writing and crystallizing it, relying both on his own and on global research and developments in this area, in May of this year plans to finish and publish it. We will definitely in shaa ALLAH try to acquaint all our readers and clients with his wonderful scientific academic work, worthy of being in the personal library of every seeker and researcher of the heritage of Islamic and Muslim medicine.

Brief conclusion:

The best and most suitable varieties of real Black Seed for all people for healing purposes are Syrian. Then, in descending order, Arabic varieties are useful and optimal - Egyptian and Turkish, Saudi and Yemeni, Ethiopian and Kenyan. The cheapest and most medically useless varieties are Asian. Do you want to be treated with what the first Muslims were treated with? Buy Black Cumin of those varieties and species with which they were treated! It's never too late to learn and change for the better!

Cumin moisture-loving perennial which brings high yields only on soils with sufficient moisture. The grass is resistant to cold and will easily endure even mild frosts.

Cumin is widely used as a food seasoning and medicine in pharmacology, is a melliferous and essential oil plant. Beneficial features cumin seeds have long been known, they can be used to prevent and defeat many diseases.

Brief description of the plant

Cumin or nigella, refers to biennial plants, umbrella families. In the common people, cumin is called field or wild anise, kimin, goat, gunba, ganus or field nigella.

The plant densely inhabits Europe, Asia, India and Pakistan. It is cultivated in almost all countries, for table and fodder purposes. In our country, weed grows in the Caucasus, Far East and in the southern part of Siberia.

Cumin has single stems, prone to abundant branching, reaching a height of up to a meter. The root system is quite fleshy, fusiform, moderately developed.

The foliage of the plant is dissected, oblong in shape, reaches a width of 5-11 cm and a length of about 18 cm. The basal foliage is located on long petioles, the upper on short ones.

The inflorescences are umbellate, reach a diameter of 10 cm, with highlighted processes in the form of rays. Flowering begins in June, white or whitish-pink flowers a centimeter in diameter.

The fruits of cumin are visolocarps about 3.5 mm long, consisting of two sickle-shaped semicarps (mericarps).

A characteristic difference between cumin is its spicy strong aroma, which appears if the seeds are rubbed with your fingers.

The use of cumin

Cumin is considered a honey plant from 1 hectare you can get up to 105 kg. honey, and the cake left after harvesting and squeezing is used as a feed base for livestock, contributing to an increase in milk production.

For table purposes, cumin is used as a seasoning for bakery products, marinades, broths and second courses. Not only fruits (cumin seeds) and caraway essential oil are used for food, but also young shoots of the plant.

I use greens as a dressing for salads and vegetable dishes in Asian countries and in oriental cuisine, pate is prepared from it, and also added to vegetable dishes, used to season meat and fish dishes. Spicy cumin roots are dried and stored in an airtight container, and if necessary, added to vegetable and meat broths for a spicy spicy flavor.

Cumin seeds are actively involved in the preparation of spicy dressing for fish, pickled vegetables, in fermentation, and are widely used as an additional flavoring of smoked products, some hard cheeses and pastries.

Cumin seeds give not only a piquant taste and aroma to dishes, but also participate in better assimilation body fat, normalize digestion and relieve bloating.

The norms for laying cumin in various culinary creations primarily depend on the recipe and national characteristics cuisine, but the average is about 0.3 grams. To add flavor, it is customary to put cumin 15 minutes before the dishes are ready.

In addition to the table purpose, cumin is actively used in the alcoholic beverage industry, for the preparation bread kvass. Essential oils are used in soap making, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

The chemical composition of cumin

Cumin seeds are primarily distinguished by their strong spicy aroma and bitter, burning taste. The content of essential oils reaches 8%, fatty oils 23%, in addition, the composition of cumin is determined by the content of quercetin, coumarin, flavonoids, kaempferol, umbelliferon and scopoletin.

Essential oil, obtained by hydrodistillation, contains carvone (about 55%), 30% limonene, 20% linalol, cymene, pinene, 35% carvacrol (gives cumin its specific aroma), as well as alcohols and tannins.

As the cumin fruits ripen, the level of carvone content increases. The optimal level of essential oil production is considered to be the period of milky ripeness of cumin seeds. The oil obtained from cumin is used not only for table and pharmacological purposes, but also in the technical industry.

In addition to the above substances, cumin fruits contain a high proportion of protein (about 17%). The roots contain ascorbic acid and a large amount of carbohydrates, while the grass contains quercetin, isorhamnetin, flavonoids and kaempferol.

Useful properties and harm of cumin

Cumin has found wide application in medicine, it is used as a flavoring agent for medicines. Dietary supplements and infusions are prepared from the fruits and stems of cumin, the seeds are used to produce oil, with a high content of ether, homeopathy uses cumin to fight many diseases associated with depression, digestive problems, migraines and headaches caused by stress.

The anthelmintic effect and antiseptic properties of cumin seeds have been known for a long time, official medicine Switzerland, Finland and Romania cumin was included in the list medicinal plants these countries.

The beneficial properties of cumin lie in its ability to improve the functioning of the digestive tract, enhancing the production of bile and normalizing its composition.

Normalization of bowel function, elimination of bloating and intestinal colic, another of the abilities of cumin, it relieves spasm of smooth muscles and has a laxative effect.

The fruits of the plant are part of the composition of choleretic dietary supplements and fight infections of the urinary system. As an adjuvant, cumin seeds and oil are used in aromatherapy, as an immunostimulating and soothing agent.

A decoction and tincture of cumin root increase lactation in nursing mothers and are used to clean blood vessels. Cumin will help in the treatment of uncomplicated bronchitis, anemia, will become a general tonic for hepatitis with a minimum degree of activity and will help to cope with vegetative-vascular dystonia.

For the treatment of anemia, cumin seeds are crushed and brewed with filtered boiled water at 75 degrees, insisted and taken on an empty stomach in a glass 2 times a day.

Cumin is recommended for joint sowing with clover to save cattle from bloating, but for birds, the seeds are deadly. Cumin can cause allergic reactions, and is contraindicated in people with individual intolerance.

Growing cumin

Growing cumin does not require painstaking work, however, there are some nuances that must be observed in order for the harvest to justify the cost of sowing.

The plant in the crop rotation takes place after tilled and winter crops. Soil preparation begins with peeling the residual stubble from the predecessor crop, and then autumn plowing to a depth of about 30 cm, in the presence of weeds, within a two-week break after peeling. During plowing, organic matter is introduced in the amount of 23 tons per hectare of arable land, together with mineral fertilizers about 235 kg. per hectare.

In spring, harrowing and cultivation are carried out to retain moisture in the soil. Sowing is carried out simultaneously with the sowing of early cereals in a wide-row way, with a row spacing of 45-70 cm.

Sowing before winter is possible. Simultaneously with the seeds, loose superphosphate is embedded in the soil at the rate of 55 kg. per 1 hectare of arable land.

The depth of seed placement in chernozems and loams ranges from 2 cm to 2.5 cm, in sandy loamy soil 3-3.5 cm at a seeding rate of 9-10 kg. per hectare or 2 million viable seeds.

After sowing cumin, the main principle of care is to loosen the row spacing and protect the plant from weeds. During the growing season, about four inter-row weedings are carried out. With excessive thickening of the crops, in the growth phase of 4 leaves, the crops are thinned out, leaving about 10 plants per meter.

In the last cultivation, top dressing is introduced in the form of superphosphate 200 gr. per 1 ha. crops. In the second year, in spring, the crops are harrowed across the sowing rows and cultivated between the rows, while weeding the weeds. In the process of harrowing, nitrogen fertilizers of 45 kg are applied. per ha.

The spicy plant is harvested in a separate way, when the fruits turn brown on the central umbrellas. Cut green mass is collected in rolls and left to ripen. This is done in order not to lose part of the crop during the harvesting of overripe seeds. With unfavorable weather conditions rolls are placed under canopies.

Rolls dried for two weeks are threshed with combines. after threshing, they are subjected to immersion in seed-cleaning machines. Growing cumin as a table plant and for livestock feed means harvesting it as needed, up to 4 mowings can be carried out per season.

Caring for cumin plantations

Cumin needs light and high humidity. The plant is not demanding on heat and begins to germinate already at a temperature of +7 degrees. After sowing, the first shoots can be expected in two to three weeks. The optimum temperature for further development and ripening is considered +25 degrees, temperatures above +30 negatively affect the accumulation of ethers in the seed and the juiciness of greenery.

The plant is considered moisture-loving and for good reason, root system cumin requires a large amount of moisture for the development of the stem and the growth of inflorescences. Winter-hardy plant winters well and tolerates frost.

The plant needs weeding, watering, fertilizing and loosening.

Rarely attacked by pests, due to its specific smell. Cumin prefers chernozems and sandy loamy soils, enriched and not clogged. Waterlogging and high acidity of the soil are detrimental to the plant. The introduction of organic and mineral dressings double the yield.

Flowering of common cumin begins in June-July, a cross-pollinating plant needs spatial isolation. The thickening of crops adversely affects the yield.

Fruit ripening occurs in August. Seed germination lasts up to 3 years.

More than 25 varieties of cumin are known, the most common is black cumin, essential oil is obtained from it by cold pressing, used for medicinal purposes and pharmacology, in cooking and as feed base livestock. Among the wild varieties of cumin, poisonous species are also found.

Black cumin, like common cumin, is grown as a spice and is called kalindzhi, seidan or Roman coriander. Reaches half a meter in length, has a stable, erect, strongly branched stem. Blooms in inflorescences with single flowers blue color. The fruits are quite large multileaf with seeds ripening in August.

The use of black cumin in homeopathy and its regenerating properties have been known for over a hundred years. Extracts and oils are obtained from it, used in cooking. Used in the fight against immunodeficiencies and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, to normalize digestion and as a remedy for spasms.

Black cumin seeds have a sharp taste with bitterness and a spicy strong smell. Seeds are widely used as a seasoning for marinades, second and first courses. A highly valuable fatty oil is obtained from kalindzhi, which is used for dressing salads.

How to get black seed oil

To obtain high-quality valuable black cumin oil, only the cold pressing method is used, in the form of pressing kalinji seeds.

The productivity of oilseed production is high, one third of the seed mass is oil. The composition of black cumin oil is striking in its uniqueness, it has anti-seborrheic, firming, regenerating and antiseptic properties.

The presence of nigelon (an inhibitor of histamine production) in the composition of cumin oil, which stimulates the thymus gland, which converts lymphocytes into T-lymphocytes (killer cells), makes it an indispensable assistant in the fight against viruses and bacterial infections. In addition to nigelon, cumin oil contains easily digestible vitamins E, A and D, as well as proteins and carbohydrates.

To get homemade black cumin oil, it is not necessary to resort to cold pressing, it is enough to purchase black cumin seeds, grind them in a mortar, add olive oil to the mass (100 seeds per 0.5 liter of oil) and send for a week to a dark, cool place, daily shaking the sediment. After prescription exposure, the oil can be filtered and used for its intended purpose.

This is a little-known food plant in our country, although many people know it as a garden plant, called Nigella because of its black seeds. I want to introduce you to two types of this plant - a decorative graceful Damascus nigella ( Nigella damascena) and nigella sativa ( Nigella sativa). Nigella sativa (black cumin) is widely distributed in Western Europe, the Mediterranean and the Caucasus, where nigella grow like weeds. But both nigella feel good in more northern regions.

Nigella - annual herbaceous plant buttercup families up to 40-60 cm high. Thanks to exquisite pinnate leaves, double flowers blue, light blue or white and nice shape fruit, nigella throughout the growing season retains a high decorative effect. Blooms from June to September. Nigella is a wonderful honey plant.

Seeds are obtained from nigella, which are called black cumin. As a spice, black cumin is cultivated all over the world. In America, nigella is also called chernushka. But in England, nigella sowing has many names: kalonji (blessed seeds), flowering fennel, black cumin, nutmeg flower, Italian coriander, black sesame. Nigella got its names by association, because of the resemblance of thin carved leaves to fennel leaves, or because of the shape and color of the seeds.

Decorative nigella (Damascus nigella) will not only decorate the flower beds, it also has a purely economic purpose. It can be used in food as a spice and get oil. The seeds have a peppery taste and a nutmeg smell. But most gardeners do not even think that this is beautiful plant has truly magical healing properties.

cultivation

This light-loving and relatively cold-resistant plant, easily tolerates spring frosts, is undemanding to soil fertility. But prefers light, nutritious, dry and neutral soils. Nigella blooms two months after sowing and blooms about the same. Therefore, black cumin is sown directly in open ground early spring or late winter. Black cumin can be grown both in flower beds and in the garden as a spice. Often it grows in the garden by self-sowing.

Nigella sowing - flower and seed box

Nigella does not tolerate excess organic and mineral nitrogen fertilizers. In this case, it gives increased growth of the vegetative mass, which delays flowering and seed ripening.

For sowing, it is better to use fresh seeds. They are sown late in the fall ( winter sowing) or in early dates in spring (April) to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. Optimum temperature germination 15-18 °С. Shoots appear in 10-15 days. Sowing scheme: distance between rows is 15-20 cm, between plants in a row is 10-20 cm.

Normal care, including watering, weeding, loosening. Nigella blooms 60-65 days after germination. growing season long, is 140-160 days.

Watering is carried out regularly, but nigella does not tolerate waterlogging of the soil. Nigella practically does not get sick and is not damaged by pests.

Usage

Black cumin

In the East healing properties black cumin has been used for over 3000 years. Black cumin is considered the plant of the Prophet Muhammad, since it was from him that people learned about amazing properties black cumin. The Qur'an says: "In black cumin, healing from all diseases." According to the prophet, black cumin can "cure any disease except death." Indeed, numerous studies of nigella have proven its effectiveness in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases.

Black cumin essential oil is a yellow liquid with a pungent, spicy odor. It contains a unique complex of biologically active substances that increase immunity. Nigella contains sulfur, phosphorus, iron, calcium, active enzymes, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins A and E, nigelon. Nigella is rich in acids, it contains linoleic, oleic, palmitic, eicosenoic, stearic, alpha-linolenic acids.

Black cumin has the ability to kill pathogens and normalize blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Strengthens memory and cures migraine. They treat diseases of the digestive system, heart, respiratory organs, kidneys and liver. Preparations from it serve to alleviate diseases of the female genital area. There are methods of treating oncological diseases with the help of preparations from black cumin. Oriental healers recommend that adults add one teaspoon of black cumin seeds to their daily diet.

Cumin oil is a component of elite cosmetics of many companies. It is added to anti-aging creams, expensive toothpastes and soaps. Seeds have insecticidal property, they are used to protect clothing from moths.

For nigella use as a spice or for medicinal purposes, the seeds are harvested when about two-thirds of the pods are ripe. The inflorescences are cut along with the stems, tied into bunches and dried indoors. Store the seeds in a tightly closed glass or porcelain dish in a dry, dark place. Dried inflorescences with "curly" boxes after threshing the seeds are used in dry bouquets.

Seeds are used as a spice when pickling cucumbers, sauerkraut, and also as a seasoning in cooking (traditionally used in India and Arab countries). Before use, cooks recommend crushing the seeds and lightly frying them in vegetable oil.

Nigella is also used instead of black pepper. Its advantage over pepper is that it does not irritate the gastric mucosa. Nigella is also used as a spice with a sharp bitter taste and smell for the production of confectionery and drinks. Nigella seed oil has a pleasant raspberry smell and is also edible.

Cumin is a plant, or rather, its seeds are used almost every day as a spice by housewives in the preparation of various dishes. You can also often see the seeds of this plant as a seasoning for bread, which is sold in almost every store, as well as for confectionery, in marinade and even in alcoholic beverages. Cumin has a rather bitter taste and an incredibly spicy aroma.

But few people use it as a medicine. Although even in the Stone Age, these small light brown grains were used for treatment and food.

Cumin, or, as it is called in another way, anise, kimin, thyme, gunba etc. represents small plant, which is also easily confused with other plants. It has middle length bare stem, and when in bloom, inflorescences form from small white flowers. The most famous are several types of this plant: ordinary, Korean, Roman, Egyptian, as well as black cumin.

Thyme, or cumin, loves slightly moist and well-lit areas, for example, in clearings and forest edges, sometimes it can be found in fields and slopes. Although, if cumin begins to grow in the shade, but on next year it will no longer bear fruit and will be useful only as greenery.

Cumin is also grown in vegetable gardens and on garden plots, as well as on specialized farms as a medicinal plant.

Useful properties of cumin

The medicinal properties of cumin, like other plants, directly depend on its constituents. Its composition includes more than a hundred different components, including:

• various fatty oils;
• essential oils;
• substances that are catalysts for natural protein biosynthesis;
• iron;
• zinc;
• phosphorus;
• vitamins and many other ingredients.

Cumin is used for medicinal purposes not only as a seasoning. An essential oil is made from it, which helps with many ailments, for example, with neurosis, eye diseases, and even with cancerous tumors. The oil from this plant is also used in perfumery and soap making. In addition, the oil is nothing more than a natural antiseptic, and also helps to normalize the metabolism in the body, has an anthelmintic property and can be used as a preventive measure against tuberculosis.

Application in traditional medicine

In traditional medicine, a preparation called Black Seed Oil is especially famous.

The power of this oil helps to get rid of various problems and ailments. Their use is especially widespread in the following countries: Italy, France, Great Britain, Germany and the United States of America. The addition of black cumin seeds is also used in the creation of various medicines and preparations.

Black seed oil appears greenish-brown in color, has a very spicy aroma, and a very astringent and astringent taste. It contains Omega 6 and Omega 9 acids, indispensable for the human body, which improve the functioning of all systems. internal organs human, including improve metabolism, relieve inflammation, restore water balance and improve immunity.

Application in traditional medicine

Basically, for medicinal purposes, use the fruits of this plant. Moreover, only those that are already ripe have turned brown, but have not yet crumbled. The fruit picking period falls under the summer and autumn months (July, August and September). The collection process is quite simple. It is necessary to collect umbrellas, carefully tie them on outdoors, but you need to make sure that the place where they hang is in the shade. When the fruits are ripe, they can be easily chilled from umbrellas. If it is problematic to tie flower umbrellas, you can simply lay them out on a flat surface thin layer. After the grains have crumbled, they should be dried for some more time on a flat surface, and then put into bags or carton boxes. Seeds can be stored for quite a long time - 3 years.

AT traditional medicine not only oil is used, as in traditional medicine, but also various decoctions and tinctures. Medicines that are prepared on the basis of cumin help with digestive problems, poor appetite, flatulence, colds, skin problems and ailments, as well as rheumatism.

Cumin contraindications

In addition to benefits, treatment folk remedies can also be harmful to the human body. In any case, no matter how well-intentioned, before starting treatment, you should consult a doctor who specializes in your problem and who will tell you which dosages are best to follow. In addition, some products are best used in tandem with other drugs that can provide the most effective result.

• Cumin should not be used if the patient has a disease such as gastritis or obstruction of the bile ducts.
• Also, there may be an allergy or individual intolerance to cumin.
• Organ transplantation is a special case. Since this plant significantly increases immunity, which, in turn, leads to the possible rejection of organs that have been transplanted.

Cumin Recipes

Usually cumin is used as a seasoning for various dishes, pastries and salads. But there are also several recipes for tinctures and decoctions that will help cope with various ailments.

1. Cumin tincture for problems with digestive system and flatulence.
   To prepare such an infusion, you need to take 25-50 g of cumin seeds and pour them with boiling water (1 cup). After that, the liquid with seeds must be put in a water bath and infused for about 10-15 minutes. The next step is cooling the infusion, filtering and adding water (about a glass). It is necessary to drink such an infusion twice a day for half a glass before meals.
   If such an infusion is prepared in half proportions, it will help improve lactation for lactating women.

Black cumin, or Kalindzhi, or Nigella sativa (Nigella sativa) - an annual plant Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae).
In America it is called chernushka. Apparently, this name was brought there by Russian emigrants. Because we know nigella under two names - black (black) and a girl in greenery. But in England, Nigella sativa has almost a dozen names. Kalonji (kalonji) - this is from Hindi, seeds of blessing - literally "blessed seeds" - from Arabic, and also blooming fennel (fenhel flower), black cumin (black caraway), nutmeg flower (nutmeg flower), Italian coriander (roman coriander ), black sesame (black sesame). And that's not all. It is clear that numerous names are confusing and introduce some confusion. Since the plant itself has nothing to do with sesame (sesame), fennel, cumin, and even more so with onions.

The plant received all these names by association - either because of the similarity of the leaves, thin, carved, like those of fennel, or because of the shape and color of the seeds. In black cumin, they are small, black, with a sharp taste. It is the seeds that are a very popular spice in Eastern countries, and in the Arab world also medicine, about which the Koran says: "In black cumin, healing from all diseases." And if in European folk medicine black cumin is given a rather modest place - it is used as a gastric and choleretic agent, then in the East its seeds and oil are used for almost all ailments.
Most of the population of our planet revere, idolize and actively use this plant. In the East, the healing properties of black cumin have been used for over 3000 years. Black cumin in Muslim countries is considered the plant of the Prophet Muhammad, since it was from him that people learned about the amazing properties of black cumin. According to the sayings of the Prophet, black cumin can cure any disease except death. Indeed, numerous studies of this interesting plant proved its effectiveness in the treatment of various diseases.
Black cumin is native to southwestern Asia and the Mediterranean. Currently, it grows in the Mediterranean, on the Balkan Peninsula, in the Caucasus, in Asia Minor. Black cumin also feels great in more northern regions, only it is called differently: sowing nigella. It turns out it's simple and unpretentious plant and there is the famous black cumin. In the south and south-west of Russia, black cumin or black seed grows just like weed. It never occurs to anyone that this plant has truly magical healing qualities.
Black cumin (Nigellae sativa) is an annual, low herbaceous plant. It reaches a height of 40 cm. The stem is strongly branched, slightly covered with hairs. The foliage of black cumin is very rugged, 2-3 cm long. Black cumin blooms, unlike its relative caraway seeds, more catchy. Numerous flowers of a beautiful often blue, white and even red color, the size is also not small, it can be terry and simple. Flowers have many stamens and several pistils. After flowering, black cumin bears fruit - numerous leaflets. This happens from mid to late summer. Seeds are harvested from August to September.

Growing black cumin

Despite the fact that this plant comes from warm countries, it is quite cold-resistant (tolerates short-term spring frosts) and unpretentious, does not get sick and is not damaged by pests. Therefore, black cumin is sown directly in open ground in early spring or before winter. Often it grows in the garden by self-sowing.
This culture prefers soils light, nutritious, dry, neutral. The place is bright. Nigella blooms two months after sowing and blooms about the same.

black cumin seeds

Seeds are harvested when about 2/3 of the pods are ripe. They are cut along with the stems, tied into bundles and dried indoors. And you can grow black cumin not only in flower beds, but also on ornamental garden like a spice.
Store the seeds in a tightly closed glass or porcelain dish in a dry, dark place.

Black cumin oil

Up to 0.43% ascorbic acid is found in the leaves of Nigella sativa. Fruits contain a large amount of semi-drying fatty oil - up to 44 percent, as well as a little essential oil (only 0.8-1.5 percent), melantin and bitterness. Essential oil is a liquid yellow color with a sharp spicy smell. His chemical composition insufficiently studied.
The oil obtained from the fruits of black cumin is an indispensable component of a huge amount of elite cosmetics. Anti-aging creams are made with black cumin oil. Introduce cumin oil and expensive means for the care of teeth and gums. Oriental healers recommend that adults add one teaspoon of black cumin seeds to their daily diet. You can replace it with black cumin oil. This supplement will help improve the functioning of the whole body and resist harmful influences from the outside.

Medicinal properties of black cumin

Black cumin is used to treat diseases of the digestive system, heart disease, respiratory diseases, disorders of the kidneys and liver. Preparations from black cumin also help with migraines, to alleviate female diseases. There are methods of treating cancer with the help of preparations from black cumin.

Black cumin has the ability to kill pathogenic microorganisms and normalize blood pressure in hypertensive patients. For removal high blood pressure you should take one teaspoon of black cumin seeds, grind them into powder, brew with 250 milliliters of boiling water and let cool. This remedy should be taken every day on an empty stomach, only 2 garlic cloves should be eaten with the infusion.

There is a recipe for those who have a little naughty memory. The black cumin remedy will help the brain work more efficiently. To do this, take one tablespoon of dry mint and one teaspoon of black cumin seeds, pour cold water(one glass), boil and pour into a thermos. Hold in a thermos for 60 minutes. This drink should be taken instead of a thirst quencher. Only on the days of taking the infusion, drinks such as coffee or tea should be excluded.

Black cumin will help with urinary incontinence. We need to collect the shell from chicken eggs, heat it in a pan, then grind it into powder and combine with the same amount of ground black cumin. It should be taken with one glass of milk, in which one teaspoon of the mixture should be mixed.

black cumin seeds

Seeds have insecticidal property, they are used to protect clothing from moths. It is used as an ornamental and oilseed plant.
Seeds are used as a spice when pickling cucumbers, sauerkraut, and also as a seasoning in cooking (traditionally used in India and Arab countries).

Black cumin application

Often planted in landscaping decorative look black cumin - nigella Damascena (Nigella damascena). It is also unpretentious, like sowing nigella. And besides, these plants have beautiful not only flowers, but also fruits - round swollen boxes, in the chambers of which seeds ripen. Many use them in dry bouquets.
Black cumin is a good honey plant.
The essential oil is edible, has a pleasant smell of raspberry. It is used in soap making and perfumery.
In cooking, black cumin is used as a spice with a sharp bitter taste and smell for the production of confectionery and drinks. Before use, cooks recommend crushing them or lightly frying them in vegetable oil. It is often used in the same way as black pepper, but its advantage is that it does not irritate the gastric mucosa.

Black cumin contraindications

Individual intolerance to the components is possible, black cumin preparations should not be used during pregnancy, as well as in patients with transplanted body organs (liver, kidneys, heart), as it enhances the body's immunity, which can cause organ rejection.
When applied externally, black cumin oil can in some cases cause irritation and allergic skin reactions.
You should also not exceed the daily dose indicated in the method of application.