Thursday, March 4, 2010

Muslim Alternative Medicine: Al-Habbah Al-Sauda'

What is Alternative Medicine?

In Western culture, the term alternative medicine refers to any healing practice "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine", or "that which has not been shown consistently to be effective." Alternative medicine is often based on the belief that a particular health regimen has efficacious effects even while there isn't a body of evidence to support such a belief under the rigorous standards of evidence based medicine. In practice, alternative medicine encompasses therapies with a historical or cultural, rather than a scientific, basis.

Commonly cited examples include naturopathy, chiropractic, herbalism, traditional Chinese medicine, Unani, Ayurveda, meditation, yoga, biofeedback, hypnosis, homeopathy, acupuncture, and diet-based therapies, in addition to a range of other practices.

Alternative medicine practices are as diverse in their foundations as in their methodologies. Practices may incorporate or base themselves on traditional medicine, folk knowledge, spiritual beliefs, or newly conceived approaches to healing.

What is Al-Habbah Al-Sauda'?

Al-Habbah al-Sauda', or its scientific name Nigella Sativa is an annual flowering plant, native to southwest Asia. The seed is used as a spice.

In English, Nigella Sativa seed is variously called fennel flower, nutmeg flower, Roman coriander, blackseed, black caraway, or black onion seed. Nigella Sativa has a pungent bitter taste and smell. It is used primarily in confectionary and liquors.

Physical Characteristic

It grows to 20–30 cm (7.9–12 in) tall, with finely divided, linear (but not thread-like) leaves. The flowers are delicate, and usually coloured pale blue and white, with 5–10 petals. The fruit is a large and inflated capsule composed of 3–7 united follicles, each containing numerous seeds. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

History of Usage as Medicine

Nigella Sativa has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, both as an herb and pressed into oil, in Asia, Middle East, and Africa. It has been traditionally used for a variety of conditions and treatments related to respiratory health, stomach and intestinal health, kidney and liver function, circulatory and immune system support, and for general well-being.

In Islam, it is regarded as one of the greatest forms of healing medicine available. Avicenna, most famous for his volumes called The Canon of Medicine, refers to Nigella as the seed that stimulates the body's energy and helps recovery from fatigue and dispiritedness. It is also included in the list of natural drugs of 'Tibb-e-Nabavi', or "Medicine of the Prophet (Muhammad)", according to the tradition "hold onto the use of the black seeds for in it is healing for all diseases except death" (Sahih Bukhari vol. 7 book 71 # 592).

In the Unani Tibb system of medicine, Nigella Sativa is regarded as a valuable remedy for a number of diseases.

The seeds have been traditionally used in the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries to treat ailments including asthma, bronchitis, rheumatism and related inflammatory diseases, to increase milk production in nursing mothers, to promote digestion and to fight parasitic infections. Its oil has been used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and boils and to treat cold symptoms. Its many uses have earned Nigella the Arabic approbation 'Habbatul barakah', meaning the seed of blessing.

The Usage in the Islamic Medicine

From the book Al-Tibb Al-Nabawi by Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya:

The Black Cumin Seed (Nigella Sativa) is one of the most universally powerful medicines known to man. It is a small triangular seed from a flowering herb of the buttercup family, and also known as the Blessed Seed, Black Caraway or Kalwanji. It has been known and cultivated for over two thousand years, including by the ancient Egyptians and Romans.

Abu Huraira (may God be pleased with him) narrated that God’s Messenger (pbuh) said, “Use this black seed regularly because it contains a cure for every disease except death.”

The oil extracted from the seeds is particularly good for healing cold, wet illnesses, benefits bronchitis and coughs, acts as a digestive tonic, eases belching, stimulates excretion of body wastes, expels intestinal worms, stimulates menstruation in women and increases the flow of breast milk for nursing mothers. Adding a few drops of the oil to coffee helps calm the nervous system dispels fatigue and mild depression and eases a dry cough.

The Black Seed is also particularly beneficial for women suffering from abnormal absence of menstruation and other menstrual difficulties. An ointment made of black seed oil can also stimulate the growth of the beard and slow down the graying of hair. Boiling Black Seeds in vinegar and then rinsing one’s mouth with this liquid can help relieve toothache and heal gum problems.

Placing powdered black seeds in a fine muslin cloth and inhaling them regularly helps reduce the effects of common colds. The Blessed Companions of God’s Messenger (pbuh) used to place 21 seeds in a linen cloth which they soaked overnight in water, and in the morning, they used to place drops of this solution in each nostril to help relieve nasal congestion and head-colds.

The Usage in the Modern Medicine

Unfortunately very few of us in the medical profession are aware of its medicinal properties discovered by the modern scientific techniques. The oil of Nigella Sativa is so beneficial due to its content of over a hundred components such as aromatic oils, trace elements, vitamins and enzymes. It contains 58% of essential fatty acids including omega 6 and omega 3. As oil it is digested through the lymphatic consequently purifying and unblocking the lymphatic system.

Advancements in the methods of analytical chemistry, physiology, pharmacology and microbiology, etc have led to the discovery of many active principles of the Nigella Sativa like: thymoquinone, dithymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, nigellone, thymol, arvacrol, oxy-coumarin, alpha-hedrin, steryl-glucoside as well as rich amounts of flavinoids, tannins, essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, ascorbic acid, iron and calcium.

It also has a number of pharmacological effects of profound therapeutic value, like: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, anti-allergic, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, immune stimulation, anti-asthmatic, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, anti-bacterial, antifungal, anti-viral and anti-parasitic.

Even in the veterinary medicine, besides the beneficial effects of Nigella Sativa seed and its oil in many infectious diseases. There are reports that the addition of Nigella Sativa seed cakes in the feed of buffalo and lambs improved their body weight and reproductivity; and the addition of Nigella Sativa seed in the food of broiler chicks improved their immunity and feed conversion efficacy.

Scientific Researches

Recently, there are many researches conducted throughout the world regarding the benefits of Nigella Sativa on human health. Since 1959 there have been over 200 different studies at universities and laboratories regarding the subject. At the Cancer Research Laboratory of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, one of the largest experimental studies so far proved that Nigella Sativa oil had enormous success in tumour therapy without the negative side effects of common chemo-therapy. They found that it increased the growth rate of bone marrow cells by a staggering 250% and it inhibited tumour growth by 50%. It stimulated immune cells and raised the interferon production which protects cells from the cell destroying effect of viruses.

Below are some other researches that have been conducted in several field of health.

• Thymoquinone and pancreatic cancer treatment

Researchers at the Kimmel Cancer at Jefferson in Philadelphia have found that thymoquinone, an extract of Nigella Sativa seed oil, blocked pancreatic cancer cell growth and killed the cells by enhancing the process of programmed cell death, (apoptosis). While the studies are in the early stages, the findings suggest that thymoquinone could eventually have some use as a preventative strategy in patients who have gone through surgery and chemotherapy or in individuals who are at a high risk of developing cancer

• The antioxidative and antihistaminic effect of Nigella Sativa and its major constituent, thymoquinone on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage

An experiment has been conducted to assess the possible protective effects of Nigella Sativa and its constituent, thymoquinone on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in an experimental model. The results has shown that both drugs (Nigella Sativa and thymoquinone ) could protect the gastric mucosa against the injurious effect of absolute alcohol and promote ulcer healing as evidenced from the ulcer index values.

It is to be noted that Gastric damage was confirmed histomorphometrically by significant increases in the number of mast cells (MC) and gastric erosions. However, the Nigella Sativa treatment significantly decreased the number of MC and reduced the area of gastric erosions.

Likewise, thymoquinone treatment was also able to reduce the number of MC and the gravity of gastric mucosal lesions, but to lesser extent compared to Nigella Sativa. Apart from that, it also has been proven that Nigella Sativa and thymoquinone treatment was also able to decrease and reduce the Gastric tissue histamine levels as well as myeloperoxidase activities.

Recently, clinical and animal studies have shown that the extracts of the black seeds have many therapeutic effects such as bronchodilatation, immunomodilative, antibacterial, hypotensive, hepatoprotective and antidiabetic. Nigella Sativa extracts and its main active component, thymoquinone have been shown to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

However, there is little information about the effect of Nigella Sativa and its major constituent on the gastrointestinal system. Studies have proved that Nigella Sativa has a cytoprotective effect on human T cell and an antioxidant effect on cardiovascular tissue.

It has been reported that recently, Zonguldak Karaelmas University in Zonguldak, Turkey was conducting an experiment to evaluate the anti oxidative and antihistaminic effect of Nigella Sativa in ethanol induced gastric damage, and to compare actions of Nigella Sativa and its constituent thymoquinone. For this purpose, changes in tissue histology, number of mast cells (MC), the histamine levels (as the marker of final chemo-stimulant of gastric secretion), and myeloperoxidase (MPO, as marker of neutrophil infiltration) activity were determined and documented.

The results gained shown that pre-treatment with Nigella Sativa or thymoquinone were found to inhibit the ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury. The pre-treatment of Nigella Sativa significantly reduced the Ulcer Index while thymoquinone has significantly shown an inhibit effect to the ethanol induced gastric lesions. In conclusion, the result obtained from this study suggest that both drugs, particularly Nigella Sativa could partly protect gastric mucosa from acute alcohol-induced mucosal injury, and these gastro protective effects could be due to their antiperoxidative, antioxidant and antihistaminic effects.

• Antibacterial activity of Nigella Sativa against clinical isolates of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

An experiment was conducted in the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan regarding the subject. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to be one of the commonest pathogens encountered in clinical as well as laboratory practice. It has become a major health problem worldwide. Newer antimicrobials/agents are urgently needed to combat this problem MRSA resistance to various anti-staphylococcal agents. In the back-drop of this difficult situation Nigella Sativa commonly known as black seed (ethanolic extract) was aimed at to evaluate if it had any anti-staphylococcal activity.

The extract was prepared by reflux extraction method. Disc diffusion and in agar dilution methods were performed to assess the antibacterial activity. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 was used as the standard reference strain.

The reason of choosing Nigella Sativa is because; Nigella Sativa extract has been extensively studied for its antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacterial, fungal and parasitic organisms. However only a limited data is available so far regarding its efficacy against MRSA. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate this aspect of N. Sativa.

The results of disc diffusion assay demonstrated that MRSA strains were completely inhibited at 4 mg/disc. Thus, it may be concluded from this study that N. Sativa seed extract has antimicrobial activity against MRSA. It is expected that using natural products as therapeutic agents will probably not elicit resistance in microorganisms. It is essential that research should continue to isolate and purify the active components of this natural herb and use in experimental animals.

• A new treatment of Opioid dependence: Nigella Sativa 500mg

In this modern age, scientific research is done on this wonderful plant and its seeds. There are certain chemical inside the seed that can help us maintain or improve our health. There are some researches done nowadays concerning about the medicinal properties or the pharmacology aspect of the seed.

Nigella Sativa Linn belongs to family Ranulaceae. The herb is widely known in different parts of the world and its seeds are used as condiment. The chemical composition that is inside Nigella Sativa can be determined by phytochemical studies on seeds and it revealed the presence of volatile oil (1.5%), fixed oil (37.5%), nigellin, melanthin and thymoquinone. Carvone (45–60%), carvene, cymene and thymoquinone. Nigellidine, nigellimine, and nigellicine are the alkaloids from the black seeds.

Ns.Cr (the black seeds) causes a dose-dependent relaxation of spontaneous contraction. Ns.Cr also inhibited potassium-induced contractions in a similar dose range, suggestive of calcium channel blockade. This activity is concentrated in the organic fraction. The seeds of Nigella Sativa contain a yellowish white volatile oil (0.5–1.6%) fixed oil (35.6–41.6%), proteins, amino acids, e.g., albumin, globulin and valine reducing sugars, mucilage, alkaloids, organic acids, tannins, resins, toxic glucoside, metarbin, bitter principles, glycosidal saponins, melanthin resembling helleborin, melanthigenin (1%), ash, moisture, and Arabic acid.

In a certain study on opioid dependence treatment, Nigella Sativa is used due to its chemical content to suppress (not act as a replacement) to the withdrawal syndrome after abstaining oneself from opioid. Nigella Sativa is in use for the treatment of variety of ailments since ancient times. Research has based its many effects on their efficacy of blocking calcium channels. As calcium channels have been tried for the treatment of opioid dependence, so Nigella Sativa was used in this study.

• The effect of Nigella Sativa seeds on certain aspect of carbohydrates and key hepatic enzymes in serum of rat

On another study on Nigella Sativa, it has an effect on the liver enzyme that causes an increase of the enzyme. When enzyme concentrations increase, it helps in the digestion of food, in this case, fats and lipid. This study was done on adult, male albino rats and it has shown certain increase in the hepatic enzyme concentration. The increase is proportional with the time given that the administered regime is to remain constant.

• The clinical and therapeutic benefit of Nigella Sativa

In recent study, Nigella Sativa has been noted for its anti-oxidant properties and its ability to suppressed cancer cell in our body. There is also research on antibacterial, antihistamic and antinflammatory property that exist in the seed of the Nigella Sativa. Many of the research on Nigella Sativa are still being conducted and incomplete. Although, the result are certain but the mechanism is still largely unknown. The mechanism process is not accurate and more research needs to be done but they have discovered suspected derivation from Nigella Sativa that could be the key player in its adverse properties of Nigella Sativa. That is thymoquinone a protein base component inside Nigella Sativa.

• Nigella Sativa relieves the effects of Ischemia reperfusion injury

Reduction of ischemia reperfusion in our body can be reduced by Nigella Sativa. Ischemia is local anemia due to mechanical obstruction that happen mainly arterial vessel. The obstruction in vessel can lead to reperfusion injury that is heart muscle impairment, usually with unstable rhythm, following the opening of arterial blockage and is due to oxygen-derived free radicals.

The reperfusion always gives limitation to a surgeon. It is hard to do surgeries in such condition, surgeon uses drug for anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant drugs to heighten vision in the surgery table. Free radical that exist when reperfusion occur can lead to liver failure due to metabolic and structural damage. The test utilizes rats to find the free radicals and the antioxidant capacity. The rats are induce with the damage from reperfusion and the blood sample are gather and analyze the fluctuation of anti-oxidant and free radicals in the blood.
The result showed that the rat with Nigella Sativa in their body have lower numbers compare with the other subjects. Therefore, shows the ability of Nigella Sativa in reducing the fluctuation component. Nigella Sativa acts as free radical scavengers and complete the free radical in the body decreasing the severity of reperfusion.

• Nigella Sativa as clinical and therapeutic medicine

Recent studies showed that Nigella Sativa decrease the number of damage DNA prior toxic agent such as Azoxymethene. This is gold because the mechanism can inhibit the built up of carcinogenic cell in the liver. The derivative of Nigella Sativa that is thymoquinone can help in shedding the cancerous cells that accumulated. With combination from hemidusmis indicus the medication can decrease the number of changing cancerous cell that migrating throughout the body.

• Nigella Sativa in diabetic disease

In diabetes recent study showed that Nigella Sativa can accentuates glucose induces secretion of insulin. Nigella Sativa stimulates cells in the pancreas to secrete insulin. As we know insulin is important to decrease the quantity of glucose in our blood vessel. The increase of glucose can create concentrated blood and can damage sensitive cell throughout our body. Cells such as nerve cells in our body can only repair itself but cannot reproduce. If there were damaging force such as blood glucose increase that inflict large area can leave to paralyzation to the effect area.

The increase of insulin can attenuates glucose level in our body inhibiting cell atrophy. In diabetic patient, if he is expose to cadmium that can give up toxic material in our body Nigella Sativa can lower the beta cell number in the pancreas to withstand the toxic exposure of cadmium.

• Nigella Sativa parasitic effect

Schistosomiasis is infection with a species of trematodes, manifestations of this often chronic and debilitating disease vary with the infecting species but depend in large measure upon tissue reaction (granulation and fibrosis) to the eggs deposited in venules and in the hepatic portals, the latter resulting in portal hypertension and esophageal varices, as well as liver damage leading to cirrhosis. Nigella Sativa also has properties to destroy the existence of parasite inside the intestinal tract especially schistosomiasis. Nigella Sativa target eggs form the parasite.

• Nigella Sativa in decreasing the side effect of drugs

There are also other benefits like reducing side effect of some medication. In some medicine, the dose inside have adverse effect on the body some can also leave the patient at a critical such as treatment in cancer. The medication uses material that can actually destroy working with disease cells all together. In Nigella Sativa, the side effect of cyclosporine can be reduced. Cyclosporine consumption can lead to nephrotoxin or damaging the cells in the kidney. The toxic side effect can further developed into complication of diseases from the kidney failure because of kidney is one major organ for to maintain blood balance that is our lifeline.

Conclusion

Throughout time, science has proven that whatever comes from Allah or His messenger, are always in accordance with the laws of nature. This is yet another proof of the existence of Allah and the truth brought by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The health benefit that’s in the Al-Habbah Al-Sauda’ has been proven through extensive researches and findings. It’s so obvious that even a blind person can’t deny it.

We apologize for any defects arise, and we hope that Allah count this as one of our effort to gain His pleasure. May Allah bestows His Mercy upon us, forgive our sins, and include us among His chosen people.

والله ولي التوفيق

REFERENCES

• Al-Jawziyya. Ibn Qayyim, Medicine of the prophet (4th edition), Pearl Publishing House (2006)
• www.medicaljournal-ias.org/7_2/Daly.pdf (3/10/2009)
• www.ayubmed.edu.pk/JAMC/PAST/74 20-3/Hannan.pdf (26/9/2009)
• www.ayubmed.edu.pk/JAMC/Past/20-2/Sangi.pdfn (26/9/2009)
• www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/15/2170.pdf (4/10/2009)
• www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/14/5204.pdf (4/10/2009)
• http://prophetic-medicine.blogspot.com/2009/06/blessings-of-black-seed.html (7/10/2009)
• http://www.pfaf.org/index.php (7/10/2009)

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Nice. I wonder if we can find these plants in other places? Do they have a study about these plants in warding off cancer? upon reading your article it makes me wonder of its other benefits like being an stomach cancer alternative treatment, maybe..