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Inflammation is no fun–most of us would agree. Whether it’s something short-term like a chest infection or something more long-term like diabetes, inflammation is not only painful but it’s also a pain to deal with.
Worse, untreated inflammation can lead to life-threatening conditions and even cancer. Though inflammation is very common, it can still seriously impact a patient’s quality of life.
What if we told you that an all-natural substance called Black Cumin could help heal and prevent inflammation?
That’s right! Amazing, isn’t it? Well, let’s dive into what black cumin is and how it helps treat inflammation.
What is Black Cumin?
Black Cumin is a seed, and it is commonly found in either powder or oil form. There are two different substances called Black Cumin, but when we mention the healing properties in this article, we’re talking about Nigella sativa.
That Black Cumin is also known as fennel flower, black caraway, and kalonji. Its healing properties have been mentioned in written works since ancient times.
Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) anti-inflammatory healing properties largely come from one key active ingredient: Thymoquinone (TQ).
So, let’s take a look at how Nigella sativa and Thymoquinone aid in healing.
The Healing Properties of Black Cumin and Thymoquinone:
Black Cumin’s main component, Thymoquinone, demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it helps treat the immune response that causes pain, swelling, and redness.
Thymoquinone is also said to be analgesic meaning it helps manage pain.
Researchers have also found Thymoquinone to reduce fevers (i.e., it’s antipyretic), kill harmful microorganisms (i.e., it’s antimicrobial) and treat high blood pressure (i.e., it’s antihypertensive).
Its multifaceted nature makes it the perfect supplement to treat inflammation and the complications that can derive from it.
Before we take a closer look at how Black Cumin helps treat inflammation, let’s define what inflammation is.
Defining inflammation:
Inflammation is the body’s response to problems. Inflammation causes pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes joint stiffness. It can affect organs, muscles, joints, and more, and it is usually a sign of an immune response.
There are two main types of inflammation: Acute inflammation (short-term) and Chronic inflammation (long-term).
Let’s explore a few examples of both:
1. Acute Inflammation
Acute inflammation is short-term inflammation that’s usually caused by some type of trauma or infection. It includes issues like…
- Appendicitis
- Bronchitis
- Bacterial infections
- Viruses
- A sore throat
- Cuts, wounds, scraps
- Broken bones
- Ingrown toenails
On the other hand, there’s chronic inflammation.
2. Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is more long-term, and it usually affects a larger part of the body. Chronic, auto-immune conditions often cause chronic inflammation. It can often last months, years, or even whole lifetimes for people with these conditions. There are certain risk-factors for chronic inflammation, including an increase in age, obesity, cigarette smoking, stress, sleep disorders, and poor diet (Source).
Some examples of chronic inflammation are…
- Lupus
- CancerChronic illnesses + Auto-immune illnesses
- IBD (Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Diabetes
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Cardiovascular (Heart) Diseases
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
As you can see, chronic inflammation is often tied to conditions that affect one’s quality of life. In fact, did you know that, according to the World Health Organization, diseases caused by chronic inflammation are the top threat to human health?
Let’s dive into the science behind inflammation.
Causes of Inflammation
Inflammation is often caused by something called “oxidative stress.” Triggered by inflammatory and biochemical inducers, this oxidative stress can have toxic effects. The brass tacks: These toxic effects are usually due to the production of peroxides and free radicals that damage all components of the cell, including proteins, lipids, and DNA.
To expand in more detail, Oxidative stress caused by inflammation leads to the production of harmful things like…
1. Free radicals
Free radicals are unstable atoms, and they can thus cause damage to cells, which can lead to faster aging and an increase in diseases (Source). Free radicals include hydroxyl radical (OH–) and superoxide anion (O2-).
2. Advanced glycation end products, or AGEs
AGEs are harmful compounds that are produced from cooking foods at high temperatures that buildup in the body as you age. Oxidative stress triggers AGEs and those lead to inflammation and insulin resistance, and a related increased chance in developing type-2 diabetes (Source).
3. Uric Acid Crystals
It is also likely that oxidative stress and the build-up of uric acid crystals go hand in hand. Uric acid is dangerous when deposited into the joints because it causes the pain and swelling associated with conditions like gout. Basically, oxidative stress and uric acid crystals lead to inflammation and chronic conditions.
Now that you understand how serious inflammation is and what causes it, let’s take a look at one of our best ways of fighting inflammation: Black Cumin.
How Black Cumin Fights inflammation
1. Black Cumin Prevents Lung Inflammation
Black Cumin has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. In one study, Nigella sativa’s antioxidant properties decreased oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the rats. This study found the Black Cumin was thus an effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in lung inflammation. It prevented tissue damage and heightened inflammation that oxidative stress usually causes.
2. Black Cumin Fights Diabetic Inflammation
Multiple studies have confirmed Black Cumin’s use in anti-diabetic treatments. One, in particular, found that Black Cumin’s anti-inflammatory properties helped fight Endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, which is plaque build-up on artery walls. Overall, the study determined that Nigella sativa helped increase cell function, allowing the test subjects to fight apoptosis.
The scientific review thus determined that Black Cumin is anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant.
3. Thymoquinone Helps in Cases of Brain Damage & Inflammation
A 2020 study found that Thymoquinone anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties also makes it a neuroprotective agent in cases of brain swelling.
That study determined that, in the case of an injury, Thymoquinone, the active ingredient in Black Cumin, not only reduced brain swelling (i.e. brain edema) but also “significantly improved neurobehavioral scores, reduced the cerebral infarct area…and increased the number of normal neurons” (Source).
4. Black Cumin Fought Inflammation from Liver Disease
The metabolic disturbances caused by inflammation can lead to a condition called Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
But there’s hope!
Researchers have found that Black Cumin’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties helps decrease the negative effects of NAFLD. A 2019 study found that Black Cumin decreased the participants’ “FBS level, lipid profiles (TG, TC, LDL, VLDL), liver enzymes (AST and ALT), hs-CRP inflammatory marker, IL-6, TNF-α, while it increased the HDL-C levels, compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05)” (Source).
5. Black Cumin Reduces Proinflammatory Cytokines
Researchers have discovered that Black Cumin positively impacts the level of proinflammatory cytokines. Cytokines are signaling molecules. They’re sent out from immune cells, like helper T cells and macrophages, and they cause the body’s inflammation. Basically, cytokines cause the inflammatory reaction to conditions like infections, inflammation, and trauma (Source).
The good news is that Black Cumin can help prevent the inflammation caused by cytokines (Source). This then reduces one’s chance of developing inflammation-related disorders, like IBD or NAFLD.
In summary, Black Cumin’s anti-inflammatory property was found to positively contribute to other related complications.
It’s Time to Add Black Cumin to Your Routine
We’ve discussed the negative repercussions of inflammation, and we’ve looked at how Black Cumin’s incredible anti-inflammatory properties helps reduce the causes of inflammation and aid in the prevention of inflammation-related diseases.
So, it’s time to ask yourself, “should I add Black Cumin to my health routine”?
Chances are the answer is yes! Black Cumin shows impressive anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer abilities, and it’s a natural way to help keep yourself healthy.
If you do choose to take a Black Cumin supplement, make sure it’s one with liposomal technology.
Why? You may ask.
Well, liposomal technology helps fight inflammation better because it deposits healing substances straight to one’s cells. That means that the supplement doesn’t have to go through the digestive tract, which is a hot-bed for inflammation. This makes the absorption of the healing substance more efficient and effective.
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Did you know the inflammation was so dangerous? Did this article teach you something about why and how inflammation is caused?
Let us know in the comments below