Black Seeds (Nigella sativa) from Islamic and Science Perspectives

• Main Authors: Tukiran, Nur Azira, A. M., Mawaddah
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Q Science (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/92316/1/92316_Black%20Seeds%20%28Nigella%20sativa%29%20from%20Islamic%20and%20Science%20Perspectives.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/92316/

Black seed or black cumin comes from Nigella sativa (Family Ranunculaceae), a plant that grows in Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and the Middle East. It has been widely used as herbal medicine for over 2000 century. The advantages of Nigella sativa as traditional medical are not only recorded in the old manuscripts but also mentioned by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Therefore, this paper aims to review medicinal effects of black seeds as described in the Malay medical manuscripts (MMM), Islamic perspective as well as the scientific researches. According to MMM, black seeds have been used in various diseases including postpartum depression, asthma, gastroenteritis and headache. MMM also described detailed prescriptions on the ingredients that should be mixed with black seeds, the amount of black seed and the appropriate time to consume black seeds. Several MMM that described the medicinal use of black seeds include Kitab tib Pontianak and Kitab Tib MSS 759. Based on scientific articles search, thymoquinone was found to be the bioactive component of the seeds. In fact, several studies demonstrated that the black seeds are effective against various illnesses including the diseases mentioned in MMM. Similarly, from the Islamic perspective, black seeds are also prescribed for asthma and gasping. In conclusion, the study provided scientific evidence that supports the use of black seeds as healing remedy. Specific evidence that is linked to the MMM will be highlighted. Another major finding of the study is the evidence that the Old Malay community had been using non-local materials in treating various diseases, and this could be an integration between the Islamic and the Malay medicine.