Ancient Medicine: Black Seed Oil’s 21 Powerful Health Benefits

Also known as cumin or caraway seed, black seed (Nigella sativa) has been used for over 2000 years and is viewed as a healing wonder, with research suggesting that it could be helpful in fighting illnesses of all kinds. Over 600 peer-reviewed studies prove that this amazing little seed has more than 20 ‘pharmacological actions‘ on the body when taken in food or as a supplement. Yes, black seed oil benefits are plentiful, and you will learn about them here.

The earliest medicinal application of black seed is traced back to ancient Egypt. The Assyrians there called black seed “tin tir” and ingested it to cure stomach problems. Externally, they used it to treat the eyes, nose, and mouth, and for skin inflammations such as rashes, bites, and sores. The Egyptians called it a panacea, and a bottle of it was even found in Tutankhamen’s tomb.

Nigella Sativa has (Minimally) These Pharmacological Actions on the Body

• 1. Analgesic (pain-killing)
• 2. Anti-bacterial
• 3. Anti-ulcer
• 4. Anti-inflammatory
• 5. Antihistamine
• 6. Anti-cancer
• 7. Anti-cholinergic
• 8. Anti-fungal
• 9. Anti-hypertensive
• 10. Antioxidant
• 11. Antispasmodic
• 12. Antiviral
• 13. Bronchodilator
• 14. Gluconeogenesis inhibitor (anti-diabetic)
• 15. Hepatoprotective (liver protecting)
• 16.Hypotensive
• 17. Insulin sensitizing
• 18. Interferon inducer
• 19. Leukotriene antagonist
• 20. Renoprotective (kidney protecting)
• 21. Tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor

Many Black Seed Oil Benefits Abound

Just a few highlights of the many black seed oil benefits on health include:

• There are three natural phytochemical compounds in black seed oil that produce a tremendous benefit that researchers were very surprised to discover. The three compounds are thymoquinone (TQ), thymohydroquinone (THQ), and thymol. Scientists learned that all three compounds show 100% inhibition for 30 different pathogens that were evaluated; TQ was the best anti-fungal compound against dermatophytes and yeasts, and thymol was the best anti-fungal against mold.

• Phytochemicals in black seed help protect against cancer. Croatian scientists evaluated the antitumor activity of thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone in mice and discovered that the two phytochemicals in black seed oil resulted in a 52% decrease in tumor cells! Being rich in these important phytonutrients, black seed works to fend off cancer through a variety of mechanisms:

• Anti-proliferation
• Apoptosis induction
• Cell cycle arrest
• Reactive oxygen species generation
• Anti-metastasis
• Anti-angiogenesis

• Chronic administration of Nigella sativa changes pro and anti-inflammatory proteins. The seed may act as a balancing factor on lymphocytes.

• Black seed supports liver health. Almost all toxins that affect our bodies, at some point, must go through the liver. The bile from the liver digests fats, and many toxins are stored in fat. Anyone who has taken lots of antibiotics or other medications will also suffer from decreased liver functioning, as the liver becomes over-taxed trying to rid the body of chemical residues. In recent studies, scientists have found that black seed oil prevents damage by providing protection against toxins.

• Black seed oil causes “gradual partial regeneration of pancreatic beta-cells, increases the lowered serum insulin concentrations, and decreases the elevated serum glucose,” according to an article in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. The research (on mice) suggests that diabetics could experience support, whether they have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In another study, two grams of black seed a day results in “reduced fasting glucose, decreased insulin resistance, increased beta-cell function, and reduced glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in human subjects.”

• Black seed oil may aid in weight loss. Among black seed oil benefits is the substance’s ability to aid in weight loss. The phytochemicals contain anti-obesity properties. Although Nigella sativa is not traditionally believed to treat obesity, it is a wonderful anti-inflammatory agent that helps people lose weight in the same way that it helps diabetics. Specifically, it may decrease weight-gain triggers by controlling appetite, balancing blood glucose levels, helping rid the body of toxins by supporting the liver, and balancing triglycerides. One study says that, in addition to other herbs, Nigella sativa seemed to ‘have satisfactory anti-obesity effects.’

• Black seed oil can combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). While also effective against other infections, black seed oil is especially effective at killing MRSA. As more people experience infections that are resistant to antibiotics, black seed oil just might be the answer to faster, more thorough healing. More research is needed, though.

• Nigella sativa helps to lower blood pressure. The use of 100 and 200 mg of black seed extract twice daily for 2 months was found to have a blood pressure-lowering effect in patients with mild hypertension. In just eight weeks, people who used black seed oil experienced profound results.

• Post-surgical scar prevention – Tested on areas of post-operative trauma, Nigella sativa was found to protect peritoneal surfaces from scarring or adhesion formation.

• Thymoquinone, an extract from black seed oil, was shown to protect neurons against synapse damage, according to a study published in Neuroscience Letters. Thus, Nigella sativa could be therapeutic for people with Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

• Black seed guards against respiratory ailments. A randomized, placebo-controlled study of chemical war victims was conducted by researchers from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. The results showed that boiled water extracts of black seed improved pulmonary function test values, reduced respiratory symptoms and chest wheezing, and reduced the need for drug treatment.

• Black seed helps people recover from drug addiction. A study of 35 opiate addicts found black seed was an effective therapy in long-term treatment of opioid dependence.

This amazing seed is…well…kind of amazing! Want to read further on black seed health benefits? You can! And if you have any black seed oil benefits to share below, be sure to write a comment – we could have missed something!

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/

DOJ Drops Prosecution of Biggest Medical Marijuana Dispensary in US, providing medical marijuana to more than 100,000 people

On Tuesday, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) dropped a 4-year-long effort to shut down Harborside Health Center in Oakland, California, the largest marijuana dispensary in the US.

Providing medical marijuana to more than 100,000 patients, Harborside opened in 2006, and the Justice Department first tried to shutter its doors and seize the buildings that house the business in 2012. The city of Oakland sided with Harborside and sued, arguing that closing the dispensary would harm those who rely on its services and force sick people to seek marijuana illegally on the streets.

Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, but medical cannabis was legalized in California in 1996. In July of 2012, the office of then-US attorney Melissa Haag filed a civil forfeiture action against Harborside, claiming the business had violated federal drug laws.

Haag wrote at the time:

“The larger the operation, the greater the likelihood that there will be abuse of the state’s medical marijuana laws, and marijuana in the hands of individuals who do not have a demonstrated medical need.” [1]

The civil forfeiture was part of the Obama administration’s overall crackdown on marijuana dispensaries across California. Threats of federal prosecution lead to the closure of more than 500 dispensaries across the state in 2011 and 2012.

A number of events at the federal level helped keep Harborside’s doors open, including Congress’ 2014 approval of an amendment introduced by California Reps. Sam Farr (D) and Dana Rohrabacher (R) that blocks the Justice Department from using federal funds to go after state-legal medical marijuana programs. That amendment was reauthorized by Congress last year.

Furthermore, this past October, a federal judge ruled that the DOJ can’t prosecute legally operating providers of medical marijuana.

The dismissal of the case is a victory for patients, proponents, and the marijuana industry.

Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan said:

“Harborside Health Center has been a strong positive presence in Oakland, both for the patients they serve, the workers they employ, and for the vital public services that are supported by their tax revenues. I am glad that Oakland’s work on the Federal case helped keep Harborside open during this dispute, and heartened to know that the threat against them is now removed.”

Kaplan noted that Harborside and other dispensaries generate $3 million in revenue for Oakland each year. She added that Oakland was the first city in the state to create a permit program for dispensaries, which required they provide security.

The DOJ did not immediately comment on the deal, but Oakland officials rejoiced at the news during a press conference at City Hall. Said Mayor Libby Schaaf:

“We celebrate the release from federal prosecution. We believe in compassion, we believe in health.” [2]

Henry G. Wykowski, who represented Harborside Health Center, said his client had signed a stipulation for dismissal. He expects the case will be over within a week to 10 days.

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/

Health Benefits of Dates – Promoting Heart, Brain, and Digestive Health

A product of the date palm and cultivated since approximately 6000 B.C, the date fruit is one of the sweetest fruits around and also happens to come in many different varieties. Although dates can be eaten fresh, the fruit is very often dried, resembling raisins or plums. But whether fresh or dry, the health benefits of dates are still just as plentiful.

Nutritional Content of Dates

If you’re looking for fiber, potassium, or copper, look no further than dates. While dates are rich in many vital nutrients and therefore offer many health benefits, the fruit is so small that you’ll need to consume a larger quantity to intake the necessary amount.

The following nutritional data outlines some of the key nutrients found in dates, and is based on a 100g serving of the fruit.

• Fiber – 6.7 grams. 27% RDA.

• Potassium – 696 milligrams. 20% RDA.

• Copper – 0.4 milligrams. 18% RDA.

• Manganese – 0.3 milligrams. 15% RDA.

• Magnesium – 54 milligrams. 14% RDA.

• Vitamin B6 – 0.2 milligrams. 12% RDA.

Note: Dates are high in sugar content – coming in at a whopping 66.5 grams per 100 gram serving of the fruit. It is recommended to lessen sugar consumption as much as possible, even when the sugar is being consumed from fruit.

The Known Health Benefits of Dates – What the Date Fruit Has to Offer

Dates aren’t exactly a nutritional powerhouse when compared to some other foods like kiwi or sesame seeds, but the fruit does still offer numerous health benefits along with great taste. Here are some health benefits of dates.

• 1. Promoting Digestive Health, Relieving Constipation – Fiber is essential for promoting colon health and making for regular bowel movements. The insoluble and soluble fiber found in dates help to clean out the gastrointestinal system, allowing the colon to work at greater levels of efficiency. Some other benefits relating to fiber and colon health are reduced risks of colitis, colon cancer, and hemorrhoids. (Dates could even be coupled with other home remedies for hemorrhoids.)

• 2. Boosting Heart Health – In addition to promoting colon health, fiber is also known to boost heart health.

• 3. Anti-Inflammatory – Dates are rich in magnesium – a mineral known for its anti-inflammatory benefits. One study found that “inflammatory indicators in the body such as CRP (C-reactive protein), TNF (tumor necrosis factor alpha), and IL6 (interleukin 6) were all reduced when magnesium intake was increased.” Further, inflammation in the arterial walls was also reduced with magnesium intake. Based on magnesium’s anti-inflammatory properties and the findings of this study, magnesium can effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and other inflammation-related health ailments.

• 4. Reduced Blood Pressure – Magnesium has been shown to help lower blood pressure – and again, dates are full of the mineral. Additionally, potassium is another mineral in dates that has several functions within the body, aiding with the proper workings of the heart and helping to reduce blood pressure.

• 5. Reduced Stroke Risk – After evaluating 7 studies published over a 14 year time period, researchers found stroke risk was reduced by 9% for every every 100 milligrams of magnesium a person consumes per day.

• 6. A Healthy Pregnancy and Delivery – Further adding to the health benefits of dates, one study performed by researchers at the University of Science and Technology set out to discover how the date fruit impacted labor parameters and delivery outcomes. After studying 69 women for a year and 1 month, the researchers found that “the consumption of date fruit in the last 4 weeks before labour significantly reduced the need for induction and augmentation of labour, and produced a more favourable, but non-significant, delivery outcome. The results warrant a randomised controlled trial.”

• 7. Boosting Brain Health – Some studies, such as one found in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that sufficient vitamin B6 levels are associated with improved brain performance and better test scores.

A Summary of Dates Health Benefits: Dates are Great for:

• Weight loss
• Relieving constipation, supporting regular bowel movements
• Promoting heart health, reducing heart disease risk
• Diarrhea
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Reducing blood pressure
• Impotence
• Promoting respiratory and digestive health
• Pregnancy deliveries
• Hemorrhoid prevention
• Chronic conditions such as arthritis
• Reducing colitis risk
• Preventing colon cancer

Remember to share all of the health benefits of dates with your friends and family!

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/

For a Beautiful Smile: 7 Natural Teeth Whitening Home Remedies

No one wants a yellow smile, but if you’ve paid attention over the last several years, smiles have gotten whiter and whiter. It’s not completely unusual these days to see a celebrity, newscaster, or other person overly-concerned with their appearance, to have teeth so white it’s completely distracting. Do you want a smile that “lights up the room”? No matter how white you want your teeth, there are plenty of natural teeth whitening home remedies for a beautiful smile. What’s more, teeth whitening at home is super easy.

Teeth discoloration is part of the aging process. But just like wrinkles, many people fight it. While you can expect your teeth to change a little over the years, there are things you can do to avoid stains and embarrassing discoloration—and fortunately, these natural teeth whitening home remedies solutions don’t require hundred dollar bleaching trays, dentist visits, or unknown chemical solutions.

7 Natural Teeth Whitening Home Remedies – Teeth Whitening at Home Made Easy

1. Eat Strawberries

There is evidence that strawberries can help whiten teeth due to containing an enzyme called malic acid and vitamin C. The astringent found in strawberries helps to remove surface stains, while vitamin C washes away plaque. Mashing a few strawberries and brushing with the mixture once or twice a week can have positive results. You could also just eat strawberries, making sure to chew really well and allowing them to do the brushing on their own.

2. Floss Your Teeth

For some reason, flossing doesn’t come as easily to people as brushing. Still, many dentists and hygienists agree that flossing is more important than brushing. Floss twice daily for the best, teeth-saving results. Just flossing can easily remove the staining between your teeth, helping them to look whiter.

3. Baking Soda and Lemon

This may be one of the most popular of the natural teeth whitening home remedies. The chemical reaction of baking soda with the citrus of lemon juice has a smile-brightening effect. Either one of these ingredients works well, but together they are super-effective. Only brush with this solution up to once per week as it can wear away the tooth enamel if used too frequently. If irritation occurs, the baking soda may be too abrasive for your gums, so discontinue use. If you’re worried about damaging tooth enamel, try some of the other solutions.

Directed by Dr. Oz:

In a small bowl, mix a little bit of baking soda with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon. The mixture should bubble slightly. Using a cotton swab, wipe saliva and excess plaque from your teeth before brushing on the mixture. Leave the mixture on your teeth for a minute before gently brushing it off with a toothbrush.

Don’t leave the mixture on your teeth for any longer than a minute; the acid erode tooth enamel.

4. Eat Crunchy Fruits and Veggies

Apples, celery, and carrots are all great for your teeth. Crunchy fruit or vegetables act like nature’s toothbrush. Simply chewing removes excess food and bacteria from your mouth. It also helps to scrub away surface stains. Not only does the texture remove food particles and bacteria, but the acids in the fruits and vegetables pull double duty, actually keeping the teeth whiter. Apples in particular contain malic acid, the chemical also found in strawberries (and teeth whitening products) that removes surface stains.

5. Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is an Indian remedy used primarily to enhance oral health and cleanse the body. The process is actually quite simple, harmless, and very inexpensive. Simply take one tablespoon of a pure, organic oil and swish it around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Move the oil around your mouth through sipping, sucking, and essentially pulling through your teeth. After rinsing, spit out the oil, thoroughly rinse your mouth out with water, and consume 2-3 glasses of water (purified if possible).

To learn more on what oil pulling is and the oil pulling benefits, check out our oil pulling post. You won’t want to miss this interesting solution.

6. Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide

Others reported on Earthclinic that hydrogen peroxide could also be an effective teeth whitening remedy. Hydrogen peroxide prevents the growth of bacteria, can help to  prevent infections, and prevents bad breath, which often results from bacteria. Simply swish some food-grade hydrogen peroxide (FGHP) around in your mouth for a few seconds, than spit it out. Another option would be to mix a 50/50 solution using FGHP and water, and swish it around for 60 seconds.

7. Use a Straw

Coffee, tea, soda, and wine can all cause serious damage to the enamel of your teeth. Whenever possible, use a straw to reduce direct exposure to teeth. If drinking your coffee or wine out of a straw is more embarrassing than discolored teeth, just make sure to brush after drinking these beverages – except after drinking white wine.

A healthy and bright smile is definitely something to be happy about. Eating healthy foods, not surprisingly, can go a long way in ensuring your teeth stay white for years to come. But having an arsenal of natural teeth whitening home remedies can improve your toothy glow without breaking the bank or exposing you to unknown chemicals and bleaches in the dentist’s office.

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/

Antimicrobial Resistance Could Be a ‘Bigger Threat than Cancer by 2050’

As WHO targets cancer surge as imminent "human disaster"

Cancer rates are increasing, and the World Health Organization (WHO) said in 2014 that cancer cases were expected to surge 57% worldwide over the next 20 years. It’s a health crisis in the making, but scientists are warning there could be an even bigger threat to human health: antimicrobial resistance.

British Chancellor George Osborne says antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics could kill as many as 10 million people by 2050, and warned of the risk before a panel at an International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting in Washington on April 12.

Osborne is not alone in sounding the alarm about the risks of failing antibiotics.

Antimicrobial resistance could cause an “apocalyptic scenario” in the next 20 years, according to Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer for England. People would routinely die from common infections, Davies says, “because we have run out of [effective] antibiotics.”

Economist Jim O’Neill commissioned a government review in 2014 that estimated that by 2050, antimicrobial resistance would be the world’s greatest killer unless scientists could develop a new generation of effective antibiotics. [1]

At the IMF meeting, Osborne said that this “apocalyptic scenario” would not only kill millions of people a year, it could easily slash global economic output by 3.5%, or $100 trillion. Cancer currently kills about 8 million people annually.

Osborne called on countries to offer enormous financial “prizes” to drug companies that develop new antibiotics.

“We have to dramatically shift incentives for pharmaceutical companies and others to create a long-term solution to this problem, with new rewards, funded globally, that support the development of new antibiotics and ensure access to antibiotics in the developing world.

We also need better rapid diagnostics that will cut unnecessary antibiotic use.”

It has been nearly two decades since the last discovery of a new class of antibiotics, and medical experts have warned that failure to find new effective drugs could make common infections as difficult to treat as they were in the 1920’s before the discovery of penicillin. But pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to develop new antibiotics because it is a costly process, and the drugs can only be used for a limited period of time.

Osborne said existing drug markets were “broken,” adding:

“Unless we take global action, antimicrobial resistance will become an even greater threat to mankind than cancer currently is. It is not just a health problem, but an economic one, too.

The cost of doing nothing, both in terms of lives lost and money wasted, is too great, and the world needs to come together to agree on a common approach.

My message is that we need the world’s governments and industry leaders to work together in radical new ways.”

O’Neill has been commissioned by ministers to review the issue again, and his recommendations are expected by next month.

Last year, British doctors were warned they could lose their jobs if they prescribed too many antibiotics. As a result, prescription rates have been rapidly declining, and general practitioners could be referred to regulators if they continue to hand out too many drugs.

In the UK, physicians have been caught prescribing antibiotics for health problems the drugs won’t even touch, such as coughs, colds, and hay fever. In some doctors’ practices, as much as 97% of patients who ask for antibiotics receive them.

The fight against antimicrobial resistance is a lot like the fight against terrorism; every time we knock down one problem, another one pops up. Leading British microbiologist Hugh Pennington says:

“It’s an endless battle. We will develop new antibiotics. But it’s not a battle we can win, it’s just a war that will go on forever.”

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/

This Grocery Store is Replacing Candy in its Checkout Aisles with Healthy Alternatives

In an attempt to improve buying decisions for its customers, Grocery chain Aldi announced earlier this year that it will be replacing the candy in checkout aisles with more healthful alternatives, such as trail mix, granola bars, and dried fruit. The change will go into effect by the end of 2016 in each of the company’s 1,500 stores.

Aldi CEO Jason Hart told Convenience Store and Fuel News (CSFN):

“We are…stocking stores with even more nutritious options. We truly care about our customers and we’re responding with guilt-free checkout zones and increased food options they can feel good about.

By introducing Healthier Checklanes and through a number of other initiatives, we are doing our part to remove temptation at checkout and stocking stores with even more nutritious options. At ALDI, we truly care about our customers, and we’re responding with guilt-free checkout zones and increased food options they can feel good about.”

Included in the initiative is also the expansions of organics. The German grocery chain, which is rapidly expanding throughout the United States, currently operating nearly 1500 stores across 32 states, is making great strides to offer healthy, organic foods at an affordable price. The company also became become the first major European retailer to ban pesticides toxic to bees, including the neonicotinoids imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam, from all produce sold in their stores.

In the statement issued by ALDI earlier this year, the company said it is “broadening its product offerings within every aisle, including:

• Expanding its selection of fresh and organic meat and produce, including the Never Any! brand of meat products that contain no added antibiotics, hormones, animal by-products or other additives.

• Expanding the SimplyNature line of products, free of more than 125 artificial ingredients, as well as a gluten-free line of products under the ALDI exclusive brand, liveGfree.

• Highlighting nutritional facts on the front of its exclusive brand food packages for shoppers to easily find key nutritional information.

• Partnering with registered dietitians through its Advisory Council to provide tips, recipes and meal-planning ideas that make healthy eating easy and affordable for families.”

Consumer advocacy group The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) applauded the move. CSPI Senior Nutrition Policy Counsel Jessica Almy wrote in a statement:

“Putting products at checkout can prompt purchases — and putting foods at kids’ eye level can induce requests for those products and family conflict. Giving customers choices they can feel good about supports their health and frees parents up to say ‘yes’ to their kids.”

According to a report from the CSPI last year, about 60% of shoppers interviewed by food company researchers bought their candy from the checkout. If every grocery chain made this shift, it would surely have a positive impact nationwide (and globally).

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/

People Who Think Positively About Aging Less Likely to Have Alzheimer’s

People who stress out about getting old are more likely to be diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease, scientists are warning. Researchers have found middle-aged people who dread their senior years are more likely to have dementia-like changes to their brain years later. On the other hand, those who think positively about their inevitable aging are less likely to be diagnosed.

The study, conducted by the Yale School of Public Health, most certainly does not mean that thinking positively will stop you from developing Alzheimer’s, but it does present some interesting findings.

Researchers recruited 74 healthy dementia-free study participants and followed them from middle-age to death. Subjects filled out a survey about their beliefs on aging. Twenty years into the study, participants began having annual brain scans to measure the size of the hippocampus, where memories are stored.

Ultimately the scientists found those who thought more negatively about getting old showed a greater decline in the part of the brain crucial to memory, where degenerative brain disease first strikes.

Using brain autopsies of the patients post-death, the team looked for 2 other indicators of Alzheimer’s disease, and found significantly more signs of the disease in those who negatively anticipated growing older. They focused on amyloid plaque, the sticky protein clusters that build up between brain cells, as well as neurofibrillary tangles, which are twisted protein strands that build up within brain cells.

All brains shrink as they age, but the hippocampus shriveled 3 times as quickly in participants who admitted to fretting about aging. More plaque and tangles were found in the brains of these individuals.

The findings held even when factors like age, education and overall health were factored in.

Researcher Rebecca Levy said:

“Although the findings are concerning, it is encouraging to realize that these negative beliefs about ageing can be mitigated and positive beliefs can be reinforced, so that the adverse impact is not inevitable.”

Levy wrote in the journal Psychology and Aging:

“We believe it is the stress generated by negative beliefs about ageing that individuals sometimes internalize from society that can result in pathological brain changes.

This finding provides a basis for reinterpreting Alzheimer’s disease data. Levy continued:

“To illustrate, diet has been posited as an explanation for why the rate of Alzheimer’s disease in the United States is five times that of India.

Alternatively, this discrepancy might be explained by the comparison of those two cultures from which age stereotypes are derived: India has a tradition of venerating elders, whereas the United States has a prevalence of negative age stereotypes.”

Manchester University health psychologist Dr. Cary Cooper pointed out that people who think optimistically tend to socialize and exercise more, and do things that keep their minds young.

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/