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Spices - Black Cumin Seeds
( Nigella Sativa) |
| Arabic
|
Sinouj, Sanouz,
Shunez, Habbah sauda, Habbet el beraka, Kamun
aswad |
|
| Dutch |
Nigelle |
| English
|
Devil-in-the-bush,
Love-in-a-mist, Fennel flower, Onion seed |
| French |
Cheveux de Vénus, Nigelle, Poivrette |
| German
|
Zwiebelsame,
Nigella, Schwarzkümmel |
| Hindi
|
Kalounji,
Munga reala |
| Italian |
Nigella
|
| Norwegian
|
Svartkarve
|
| Spanish |
Niguilla, Pasionara
|
| Swedish |
Svartkummin
|
| Turkish
|
Corekotu siyah
|
Nigella "Black
Cumin", is one of the medical and
aromatic plants from the Ranunculaceae (buttercup
family) family and it is considered as one of
the most important plant in Syria. It has been
planted since the old ages in many Syrian regions.The
plantation is done in December/ January and the
fruits become ripe during June, according to the
region which grows the plant. They yield a seed
capsule with five compartments each topped by
a spike. The compartments open when dried to disperse
the seeds. The seeds have little bouquet, though
when they are rubbed they give off an aroma reminiscent
of oregano. This seed has been known since the
old ages.
It tastes slightly bitter and peppery with a crunchy
texture. And its flavor distinguishes it.
Syria is one of the most important countries that
export Nigella. |
Main Constituents
The seeds
contain numerous esters of structurally unusual
unsaturated fatty acids with terpene alcohols
(7%); fat oil content is about 40%. Furthermore,
traces of alkaloids (nigelline-N-oxide, nigellone,
nigellimine) are reported. In addition to the
acid value (mg KOH/g fat)<10 Oil content (g/100g)>35.
In the essential
oil (avr. 0.5%, max. 1.5%), thymoquinone was identified
as the main component (54%) besides p-cymene,
dithymoquinone and thymohydroquinone. Other terpene
derivatives were found only in trace amounts:
Carvacrol, carvone, limonene, 4-terpineol, citronellol. |
It’s
usage all over the world
Nigella is used whole to spice vegetables
and pulses, usually after it has been dry roasted
to heighten its aroma and flavor. It is an ingredient
of several spice mixes and is sprinkled on bread.
It is also used to season bread in the Middle
East and of course in Syria. Syrian bread frequently
shows the characteristically shaped black grains.
The used parts of the plant are deep black, sharp-cornered
seed grains |
|
Culinary
Uses
Nigella is used in India and the Middle
East as a spice and condiment and occasionally
in Europe as both a pepper substitute and a spice.
It is widely used in Indian cuisines, particularly
in mildly braised lamb dishes such as korma. It
is also added to vegetable and dhal dishes as
well as in chutneys. The seeds are sprinkled on
to naan bread before baking.Also Nigella is an
ingredient of some garam masalas and is one of
the five spices in panch phoran. The seeds may
be used whole or ground and are usually fried
or roasted before use and they are easily crushed
in a mortar and pestle. |
Attributed
Medicinal Properties
Arab herbalists and pharmacists have
used Nigella since antiquity and Nigella is used
in Indian medicine as a carminative and stimulant
and is used against indigestion and bowel complaints.
The seed yields a volatile oil containing melanthin,
nigilline, damascene and tannin. It is commonly
used for bronchial asthma, bronchitis, and other
ailments of the respiratory tract. It is used
to reduce inflammation, for digestive disturbances
and constipation, to fight worms of the digestive
tract, to improve kidney function and get rid
of stones, to improve milk production in nursing
mothers, to detoxify and strengthen the liver
for increased energy and as a general tonic. It
also has been found to increase sperm count in
men. In addition, it is used topically for skin
conditions such as eczema and infections.
Patients with various
types of defense system dysfunction for example,
too much protection, or misguided protection where
body fights its own tissue, the Black Seed and
Garlic combination can help restore normal protection.
This is the beauty, it restores the "normal". |
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