Dr. Weeks’ Comment: As a beekeeper and apitherapist over the past 4 decades, I am a fan of the healing properties of honey bee products. Almost a decade ago I learned – belatedly! – about the revolution in nutrition which is eating the seed. In the Bible, Genesis 20:1 instructs us: “Eat the seed. For you it shall be meat.” and of all healing seeds, black cumin seed is incomparable. In the Koran it reveals that the black cumin seed cures “everything but death”. You’d think something that therapeutic would have been taught to us in medical school…
Now we have research showing that black cumin seed infused honey has powerful therapeutic benefits. Read below and get yourself a bottle of raw organic non-GMO honey infused with raw organic non-GMO black cumin seeds!
BLACK CUMIN SEED INFUSED HONEY
- Asthma “However, when used in combination with other substances, it showed a relatively high efficacy in patients with asthma.”
- Gastric illnesses “This study showed that adjuvant supplementation of honey based formulation of N. sativa can cause significant symptomatic improvement of patients with functional dyspepsia…”
- H. Pylori “Dosin was concluded to be an anti H. pylori and an anti-dyspeptic agent.”
- Wound healing “The wound healing may be improved and accelerated by using topical solutions of honey, N. sativa seed oil and especially their mixture.”
- Gastric ulcers induced by NSAIDs “NS and NH are equally effective in healing of gastric ulcer similar to cimetidine.”
- and COVID-19 “Prophylactic potential of honey and Nigella sativa L. against hospital and community-based SARS-CoV-2 spread: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.”
HERE IS SOME RESEARCH STUDIES to CONSIDER:
J Med Food. 2019 Jun;22(6):543-550. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2018.4303. Epub 2019 May 24.
Honey in Bronchial Asthma: From Folk Tales to Scientific Facts
Alzhraa Salah Abbas 1 2, Sherief Ghozy 2 3, Le Huu Nhat Minh 2 4, Mohammad Rashidul Hashan 2 5, Ali Lotfy Soliman 2 6, Nguyen Thanh Van 2 4, Kenji Hirayama 7, Nguyen Tien Huy 8 9 10
Abstract
Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases. Complementary and alternative medicine is increasingly used for treating bronchial asthma. Ten electronic databases were searched to investigate whether honey alone or in combination with other ingredients can be considered as the potential treatment for bronchial asthma. Combinations of honey and Nigella sativa (NS) showed significant improvement in all pulmonary functions, including forced expiratory volume (FEV1) (MD = 0.52, P < .001), forced vital capacity (FVC) (MD = 0.55, P = .002), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (MD = 80.60, P < .001), in both moderate and severe, uncontrolled persistent asthma compared with baseline.Asthma control test scores also improved significantly (MD = 11.22, P < .001) in patients using combinations of honey and NS compared with baseline. Patients with a less severe grade of asthma showed a significant positive response in clinical parameters upon using honey. One study showed that using celery seeds and honey was associated with clinical improvement of both lung functions,FEV1 (MD = 18.09, P < .001) and FVC (MD = 24.23, P < .001), and respiratory parameters compared with baseline. In conclusion, honey alone has no strong evidence of being effective in controlling asthma. However, when used in combination with other substances, it showed a relatively high efficacy in patients with asthma. This finding may help in asthma control with lower cost alternatives and better outcomes.
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J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Dec 4;175:147-52.
doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.09.022. Epub 2015 Sep 18.
Reza Mohtashami 1, Hasan Fallah Huseini 2, Mojtaba Heydari 3, Mohsen Amini 4, Zainab Sadeqhi 5, Habib Ghaznavi 6, Saeed Mehrzadi 7
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance: A honey based formulation from Nigella sativa L. (N. sativa) has been used in Traditional Persian Medicine for upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Considering the traditional use of this formulation and its ingredients known pharmacologic effects, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of N. sativa seed oil mixed with honey in treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia.
Results: The mean scores of Hong Kong index of dyspepsia severity sores and the rate of H. pylori infection were significantly lower in the N. sativa group comparing the placebo group after the intervention (P<0.001). No serious adverse event was reported.
Conclusion: This study showed that adjuvant supplementation of honey based formulation of N. sativa can cause significant symptomatic improvement of patients with functional dyspepsia whom received the standard anti-secretory therapy. The results should be investigated further in studies with longer duration and larger sample size.
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Acta Cir Bras. 2018 Jun;33(6):518-523.
doi: 10.1590/s0102-865020180060000006.
Synergistic effect of honey and Nigella sativa on wound healing in rats
Seyed Mohammad Reza Javadi 1, Mamak Hashemi 2, Younes Mohammadi 3, Alireza MamMohammadi 4, Ali Sharifi 5, Hamid Reza Makarchian 6
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic potential of honey, Nigella sativa (N. sativa) and their combination in rat model of excisional wound healing.
Results: Significant reduction in wound surface area was observed within and between the groups (P < 0.001). In the post excision days 5, 10, 15 and 20 the wound surface areas in the mix group were significantly lower than the other groups followed by the phenytoin, honey, N. sativa, and control groups.
Conclusion: The wound healing may be improved and accelerated by using topical solutions of honey, N. sativa seed oil and especially their mixture.
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Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2017 May;27:57-60.
doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.04.003. Epub 2017 Apr 6.
In-vitro susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Stayphylococcus aureus to honey
Muhammad Barkaat Hussain 1, Abdul Hannan 2, Muhammad Absar 3, NadeemShafique Butt 4
Abstract
Wound infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is becoming much complicated and costly to treat as antimicrobial resistance is quite common. Twenty five MRSA strains isolated from infected wounds and three ATCC reference strains were evaluated for their susceptibility to locally produced black seed (Nigella sativa), beri (ZiziphusJujuba) and shain honey (Plectranthus rugosus wall) by agar incorporation assay. Medically graded manuka honey (UMF 21+) was included as control. Locally produced black seed honey inhibited all clinical isolates at mean MIC of 5.5% (v/v), whereas manuka honey at mean MIC of 4.4% (v/v). The other two locally produced honey; beri and shain honey inhibited these isolates at 6.4% and 10.4% (v/v) respectively. The result of the study has demonstrated that indigenous black seed honey has comparable antibacterial activity to manuka honey and thus offers a good new addition to the existing honey resource for the treatment of wound infections.
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Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2016 Jun 21;18(11):e23771. doi: 10.5812/ircmj.23771. eCollection 2016 Nov.
Combination of Nigella sativa and Honey in Eradication of Gastric Helicobacter pylori Infection
Fataneh Hashem-Dabaghian 1, Shahram Agah 2, Maryam Taghavi-Shirazi 3, Ali Ghobadi 3
Abstract
Background: Gastric Helicobacter pylori is extremely common worldwide.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of combination of Nigella sativa and honey (Dosin) in eradication of gastric H. pylori infection.
Patients and methods: Nineteen patients who had positive result for H. pylori infection by urea breath test (UBT) without a past history of peptic ulcer, gastric cancer or gastrointestinal bleeding, were suggested to receive one teaspoon of the mixture of Dosin (6 g/day of N. sativa as ground seeds and 12 g/day of honey) three times a day after meals for two weeks.The second UBT was used to detect the presence of H. pylori four weeks after completion of the test. In addition, symptoms of dyspepsia were scored before and after the study and analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results: Fourteen patients completed the study. Negative UBT was observed in 57.1% (8/14) of participants after intervention. The median and interquartile range (IQR) of total dyspepsia symptoms was significantly reduced from 5.5 (5 – 12) to 1 (0 – 4) (P = 0.005). All the patients tolerated Dosin except for one who was excluded due to mild diarrhea. No serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusions: Dosin was concluded to be an anti H. pylori and an anti-dyspeptic agent. Further studies are recommended to investigate the effect of Dosin plus antibiotics (concurrently or following another) on gastric H. pylori infection.
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J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2011 Mar;21(3):151-6.
Mulazim Hussain Bukhari 1, Javed Khalil, Samina Qamar, Zahid Qamar, Muhammad Zahid, Navid Ansari, Irfan Manzoor Bakhshi
Abstract
Objective: Natural honey (NH) and Nigella sativa (NS) seeds have been in use as a natural remedy for over thousands of years in various parts of the world. The aim of this study was to assess the protective effects of NS (Nigella sativa) and NH (natural honey) on acetylsalicylic acid induced gastric ulcer in an experimental model with comparison to Cimetidine (CD).
Study design: Experimental, case control study.
Place and duration of study: Pharmacology and Pathology Department of King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan from June to August 2007.
Methodology: The study was conducted on 100 male albino rats, divided into 5 groups, with 20 animals in each group. Group A was used as a control and treated with Gum Tragacanth (GT). Eighty animals of the other groups were given acetylsalicylic acid (0.2 gm/kg body weight for 3 days) to produce ulcers by gavage. Two animals from each group were sacrificed for the detection of gastric ulcers. The remaining 72 animals were equally divided in four groups (B, C, D and E). The rats in group B, C and D were given NS, NH, and CD respectively while those in E were kept as such.
Conclusion: NS and NH are equally effective in healing of gastric ulcer similar to cimetidine. Further broad spectrum studies as well as clinical trials should be conducted before the use of these products as routine medicines.
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Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 2001;110(5-6):333-45.
Thymoquinone-induced relaxation of guinea-pig isolated trachea
A A Al-Majed 1, M H Daba, Y A Asiri, O A Al-Shabanah, A A Mostafa, H A El-Kashef
Abstract
The effect of thymoquinone (TQ), the main constituent of the volatile oil of black seed (Nigella sativa), on the guinea-pig isolated tracheal zig-zag preparation was investigated. TQ caused a concentration-dependent decrease in the tension of the tracheal smooth muscle precontracted by carbachol. The effects of TQ were significantly potentiated by pretreatment of the tracheal preparations with quinacrine, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, nordihydroguiaretic acid, a lipoxygenase inhibitor and by pretreatment with methylene blue, an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase. On the other hand, the effects of TQ were not influenced by pretreatment of the tracheal preparations with indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, propranolol, a non-selective beta-adrenoceptor blocker or by the pretreatment with theophylline, an adenosine receptors antagonist TQ totally abolished the pressor effects of histamine and serotonin on the guinea-pig isolated tracheal and ileum smooth muscles.
The results of the present study suggest that TQ induced relaxation of precontracted tracheal preparation is probably mediated, at least in part, by inhibition of lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism and possibly by non-selective blocking of the histamine and serotonin receptors.This relaxant effect of TQ, further support the traditional use of black seeds either alone or in combination with honey to treat bronchial asthma.
ANDwatch for the results of this study due to be completed in February 2022 !
Trials. 2021 Sep 15;22(1):618.doi: 10.1186/s13063-021-05510-3.
Sohaib Ashraf et al
Abstract
Objectives: Considering the therapeutic potential of honey and Nigella sativa (HNS) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, the objective of the study is defined to evaluate the prophylactic role of HNS.
Trial design: The study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, adaptive clinical trial with parallel group design, superiority framework with an allocation ratio of 1:1 among experimental (HNS) and placebo group. An interim analysis will be done when half of the patients have been recruited to evaluate the need to adapt sample size, efficacy, and futility of the trial.
Participants: All asymptomatic patients with hospital or community based COVID-19 exposure will be screened if they have had 4 days exposure to a confirmed case. Non-pregnant adults with significant exposure level will be enrolled in the study High-risk exposure (<6 feet distance for >10min without face protection) Moderate exposure (<6 feet distance for >10min with face protection) Subjects with acute or chronic infection, COVID-19 vaccinated, and allergy to HNS will be excluded from the study. Recruitment will be done at Shaikh Zayed Post-Graduate Medical Institute, Ali Clinic and Doctors Lounge in Lahore (Pakistan).
Intervention and comparator: In this clinical study, patients will receive either raw natural honey (0.5 g) and encapsulated organic Nigella sativa seeds (40 mg) per kg body weight per day or empty capsule with and 30 ml of 5% dextrose water as a placebo for 14 days. Both the natural products will be certified for standardization by Government College University (Botany department). Furthermore, each patient will be given standard care therapy according to version 3.0 of the COVID-19 clinical management guidelines by the Ministry of National Health Services of Pakistan.
Main outcomes: Primary outcome will be Incidence of COVID-19 cases within 14 days of randomisation. Secondary endpoints include incidence of COVID-19-related symptoms, hospitalizations, and deaths along with the severity of COVID-19-related symptoms till 14th day of randomization.
Randomisation: Participants will be randomized into experimental and control groups (1:1 allocation ratio) via the lottery method. There will be stratification based on high risk and moderate risk exposure.
Blinding (masking): Quadruple blinding will be ensured for the participants, care providers and outcome accessors. Data analysts will also be blinded to avoid conflict of interest. Site principal investigator will be responsible for ensuring masking.
Numbers to be randomised (sample size): 1000 participants will be enrolled in the study with 1:1 allocation.
Trial status: The final protocol version 1.4 was approved by institutional review board of Shaikh Zayed Post-Graduate Medical Complex on February 15, 2021. The trial recruitment was started on March 05, 2021, with a trial completion date of February 15, 2022.
Trial registration: Clinical trial was registered on February 23, 2021, www.clinicaltrials.gov with registration ID NCT04767087 .
Full protocol: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1).
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.