There are many different types of cancer, but they all share the development of abnormal cell growth. Cancer cells may form a tumor in a single location or they may spread into nearby tissues. Sometimes, the cells travel in blood or lymph to distant body regions where they continue to grow. Nigella sativa is an herbal remedy that may help prevent cancer or improve the outcome for existing cancer. Consult your doctor to discuss the herb before adding it to your regimen.
Nigella Sativa
Nigella sativa is an herbaceous, flowering plant native to India, the Arabian peninsula and parts of Europe. It is also called black cumin, black caraway, or just black seeds because it produces abundant, small black seeds. These seeds have been part of herbal medicine in many parts of the world for thousands of years. Practitioners recommend nigella sativa for several ailments, including infection, cancer and disorders involving inflammation such as asthma and some forms of arthritis.
Properties
The seeds of Nigella sativa contain proteins and other compounds called saponins and alkaloids. They also contain several oils and a natural chemical thymoquinone. Thymoquinone has significant biological activity, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It is an antioxidant that helps rid the body of free radicals, potentially damaging byproducts of metabolism. Thymoquinone is also anti-inflammatory agent that inhibits several enzymes involved in inflammation and suppresses the release of histamine by immune cells.
Cancer
Many laboratory studies have examined the potential of thymoquinone as a cancer preventive. In a study published in 1998 "Toxicology Letters" the compound protected cultured liver cells from the effect of a toxic carcinogen. These results and those from other research studies suggest that Nigella sativa has important anti-cancer properties. However, clinical trials with human subjects are still needed to confirm this.
Recommendations and Precautions
The seeds of Nigella sativa are available from many health food stores, as are capsules containing oil extracted from the seeds. Both seeds and oil are generally considered safe, although no recommended dose has been established as of June 2011. However, in a study of the oil with asthmatic human subjects, a dose of 40 to 80 mg per kg of body weight was given daily with no adverse side effects. Nigella sativa may affect the metabolism of certain drugs and some people may be allergic to the seeds or their oil. Discuss use of Nigella sativa with your doctor to determine what is appropriate for your situation.
References
- National Cancer Institute: What Is Cancer?
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Nigella Sativa
- "International Journal of Oncology"; Thymoquinone Extracted from Black Seed Triggers...; H. Gali-Muhtasib et al.; October 2004
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Pharmacological and Toxicological Properties of Nigella Sativa; B. Ali and G. Blunden; April 2003
- "Toxicology Letters"; Hepatoprotective Activity of Thymoquinone...; M. Daba and M. Abdel-Rahman; Marcy 1998
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Effect of Nigella Sativa (Black Seed) on Subjective Feeling in Patients with Allergis Diseases; U. Kalus et al.; December 2003
