HERBALIST’S GARDEN – BLACK CUMIN NIGELLA SATIVA -– A HERB FOR COOKING AND MEDICINAL USES! PLUS, IT’S A LOVELY FLOWERING PLANT, NIGELLA SATIVA PROVIDES BLACK CUMIN SEEDS AND IT’S THESE THAT ARE USED IN COOKING AND FOR NATURAL MEDICINES.

Description
Black Cumin has been in use since ancient times. Seeds excavated at the Syrian site Tell ed-Der have been dated to the second millennium BC.

They have also been reported from several New Kingdom levels of ancient Egyptian archaeological sites. In the ancient Egyptian civilization, cumin was used as spice and as preservative in mummification!

From Wikipedia: Cumin seed is used as a spice for its distinctive flavour and aroma. It is globally popular and an essential flavouring in many cuisines, particularly South Asian (where it is called jeera, Northern African, and Latin American cuisines.

Cumin can be found in some cheeses, such as Leyden cheese, and in some traditional breads from France. It is commonly used in traditional Brazilian cuisine. Cumin can be an ingredient in chilli powder (often Tex-Mex or Mexican-style), and is found in achiote blends, adobos, sofrito, garam masala, curry powder, and bahaarat. In Myanmar, cumin is used as a spice. In South Asian cooking, it is often combined with coriander seeds in a powdered mixture called dhana jeera.

Cumin can be used ground or as whole seeds. It helps to add an earthy and warming feeling to food, making it a staple in certain stews and soups, as well as spiced gravies such as curry and chili. It is also used as an ingredient in some pickles and pastries.

Besides being a useful food additive, this is showing many benefits for medical uses as well.
In the traditional medicinal system, Nigella sativa is recommended to treat a wide range of ailments. The seeds of this medicinal plant have a potential role to improve the functionality of our vital physiological systems including respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, renal system, cardiovascular system, immune system and hepatic functioning.
Avicenna Journal of Medicine acknowledges the role of Nigella sativa seeds in the book; The Canon of Medicine, due to its energy boosting property which is effective to treat chronic fatigue condition and dispiritedness.

Nigella sativa seeds, also commonly known as black seeds has extensive use in India and Arab as a food additive. Both of these civilizations used the oil and seeds of Herbs in the traditional medicinal system to treat several inflammatory disease conditions including bronchitis, asthma, rheumatism etc.

Always consult a medical practitioner before embarking on any program. The information on this page is not diagnostic, therefore always consult a Herbal practitioner or your GP in order to obtain a diagnosis. Never stop taking prescribed treatment without consulting your GP or a qualified Herbal practitioner. Do not take without qualified medical advice.

SEEDS DARK BLACK, ROUNDISH, EASY TO SEE AND HANDLE.

Grow Notes
Nigella prefers a sunny position with well-drained soil enriched with manure or compost ahead of planting, but they will grow in most sites and soils.

Sow
Sow seeds direct in Spring or indoors early in the Autumn for transplantation to the garden once temperatures rise in Spring.

Compost should be kept slightly moist, but not wet at all times.

Thin seedlings to 20cm apart.

Germination
10-14 days at 15-20°C

Maturity
Herbaceous Annual.