Black cumin 

🌿 Botanical Name: Nigella sativa

🌿 Herbal Uses of Black Cumin

1. Digestive Health

   • Carminative: Helps relieve indigestion, bloating, and gas.

   • Appetite Stimulant: Improves appetite and helps in digestion.

   • Digestive Soother: Relieves stomach cramps and indigestion.
     
     

2. Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Relief

   • Arthritis: Reduces joint inflammation and pain in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

   • Muscle Pain: Effective in easing muscle soreness or pain.

   • Pain Relief: Can be used as a mild pain reliever for headaches and menstrual cramps.
     
     

3. Immune System Support

   • Immune Boosting: Strengthens the immune system and helps the body fight infections.

   • Antioxidant: Contains compounds with antioxidant properties to protect cells from damage.
     
     

4. Respiratory Health

   • Expectorant: Helps loosen mucus and promotes the clearing of the respiratory tract.

   • Bronchodilator: Useful for asthma and other respiratory conditions.
     
     

5. Cardiovascular Health

   • Blood Sugar Regulation: Helps to regulate blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for people with diabetes

   • Cholesterol Management: Helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and improve overall heart health.
     
     

6. Anti-Microbial

   • Antibacterial and Antifungal: Effective against a wide range of bacterial and fungal infections.

   • Supports Immunity: Helps to combat infections naturally.
     
     

7. Skin and Hair Health

   • Skin Conditions: Used for treating acne, eczema, and other skin conditions due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

   • Hair Growth: Encourages hair growth and helps reduce hair loss when applied topically.

🌱 Plant Description

• Type: Annual herb

• Height: 12 to 24 inches (30–60 cm)

• Structure: Bushy, with finely divided, feathery leaves.

• Flowers: Small, pale blue or white with five petals, usually found in clusters.

• Fruit: The fruit is a dry capsule containing black seeds, which are the source of black cumin.

🌱 Propagation

• By Seeds: Black cumin is typically grown from seeds. They are direct-sown in the soil or started in seed trays.

🗓️ Harvest Time

• Harvest: Typically harvested 3–4 months after planting, when the seed pods begin to turn brown and dry out. The seeds are collected once the pods fully ripen and split open.