Black seed is used for treating digestive tract conditions
including gas, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, and
hemorrhoids. It is also used for respiratory conditions including
asthma, allergies, cough, bronchitis, emphysema, flu, swine flu,
and congestion.
Other uses include lowering blood pressure, lowering
cholesterol levels, treating cancer, and boosting the immune
system. You may read that a patent has been issued to cover the
use of black seed to improve immunity, but dont be misled. The
presence of a patent doesnt mean black seed has been shown to be
effective for this use.
Women use black seed for birth control, to start
menstruation, and to increase milk flow.
Black seed is sometimes used in combination with cysteine,
vitamin E, and saffron to ease the side effects of a chemotherapy
drug called cisplatin.
Some people apply black seed directly to the skin for joint
pain (rheumatism), headache, and certain skin conditions.
