Black Seed or Kaulanji, is a herb used by millions of people across the globe. It is also known as black cumin, Nigella Sativa (botanical name) or the blessed seed as it was found in the tomb of King Pharoah! There is a famous hadith almost every one of us has heard that,

It was narrated that Uthman bin Abdul-Malik said: I heard Salim bin Abdullah narrating from his father that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “You should eat this black seed, for in it there is healing from every disease, except the Sam (death)” – Sunan Ibn Majah Book 31 Hadith 3448

Ibn Hajar – the famous Islamic scholar wrote a commentary on this hadith and said:

“The logic behind the black seed being a healing for all diseases is not necessarily that it is to be used on its own for every ailment; rather it may be used on its own or it may be used with other things; it may be used ground up or otherwise; it may be used in food or drink or nose drops or in a compress and otherwise. And it was said that the words every disease mean that every disease is treatable with it.”

Certainly, the words of Holy Prophet (PBUH) are not of his own. As Allah says in the Holy Quran that,

Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. It is not but a revelation revealed – Surah Najam, verse 3 – 4

It is the lack of knowledge and information due to which we don’t know about the complete benefits of the black seed. There are many more hadiths quoted in the books of Hadiths about the benefits of the black seed.

It was narrated that Khalid bin Sa’d said: We went out and with us was Ghalib bin Abjar. He fell sick along the way, and when we came to Al-Madinah he was sick. Ibn Abu ‘Atiq came to visit him and said to us: ‘You should use this black seed. Take five or seven (seeds) and grind them to a powder, then drop them into his nose with drops of olive oil, on this side and on this side. For ‘Aishah narrated to them that she heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say: This black seed is a healing for every disease, except the Sam.” I said: “What is the Sam?” He said: “Death.” – Sunan Ibn Majah Book 31 Hadith 3449

It has been observed that black seed is not only a prophetic herb, but it also holds a unique place in the medicine of the modern time. The medical scientists of the 21st century have conducted numerous researches on the black seed and found great results! Till date, black seeds can cure stomach aches, asthma, and coughs. It can be used as an emmenagogue to promote and regulates menstruation, a galactagogue to increase the production of milk by mothers, a stimulant for increasing the flow of adrenaline, a tonic (improves bodily functions). The mother-to-be should be careful in using black seed as it may induce the reason for abortions.

And verily Allah knows the best!