Black Seed - The Remedy for Everything But Death?

Reposted from Healthy Holistic Living

http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/black-seed-remedy-everything-death.html?t=DM

This humble, but immensely powerful seed, kills MRSA, heals the chemical weapon poisoned body, stimulates regeneration of the dying beta cells within the diabetic’s pancreas, and yet too few even know it exists.
The seeds of the annual flowering plant, Nigella Sativa, have been prized for their healing properties since time immemorial.  While frequently referred to among English-speaking cultures as Roman coriander, black sesame, black cumin, black caraway and onion seed, it is known today primarily as black seed, which is an accurate description of its physical appearance.

Black Seed dates back 3,300 years…

The earliest record of its cultivation and use come from ancient Egypt. Black seed oil, in fact, was found in Egyptian Pharoah Tutankhamun’s tomb, dating back to approximately 3,300 years ago. [1] In Arabic cultures, black cumin is known as Habbatul barakah, meaning the “seed of blessing.” It is also believed that the Islamic prophet Mohammed said of it that it is “a remedy for all diseases except death.”
Many of black cumin’s traditionally ascribed health benefits have been thoroughly confirmed in the biomedical literature. In fact, since 1964, there have been 458 published, peer-reviewed studies referencing it.

We have indexed salient research, available to view on GreenMedInfo.com on our Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) page, on well over 40 health conditions that may be benefited from the use of the herb, including over 20 distinct pharmacological actions it expresses, such as:

• Analgesic (Pain-Killing)
• Anti-Bacterial
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Anti-Ulcer
• Anti-Cholinergic
• Anti-Fungal
• Ant-Hypertensive
• Antioxidant
• Antispasmodic
• Antiviral
• Bronchodilator
• Gluconeogenesis Inhibitor (Anti-Diabetic)
• Hepatoprotective (Liver Protecting)
• Hypotensive
• Insulin Sensitizing
• Interferon Inducer
• Leukotriene Antagonist
• Renoprotective (Kidney Protecting)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Inhibitor

These 22 pharmacological actions are only a subset of a far wider number of beneficial properties intrinsic to the black seed. While it is remarkable that this seed has the ability to positively modulate so many different biological pathways, this is actually a rather common occurrence among traditional plant medicines.
Our project has identified over 1600 natural compounds with a wide range of health benefits, and we are only in our first 5 years of casual indexing. There are tens of thousands of other substances that have already been researched, with hundreds of thousands of studies supporting their medicinal value (MEDLINE, whence our study abstracts come, has over 600,000 studies classified as related to Complementary and Alternative Medicine).

Take turmeric, for example. We have identified research indicating its value in over 600 health conditions, while also expressing over 160 different potentially beneficial pharmacological actions. You can view the quick summary of over 1500 studies we have summarized on our Turmeric Research page, which includes an explorative video on turmeric. Professional database members are further empowered to manipulate the results according to their search criteria, i.e. pull up and print to PDF the 61 studies on turmeric and breast cancer.  This, of course, should help folks realize how voluminous the supportive literature indicating the medicinal value of natural substances, such as turmeric and black seed, really is.

Black Seed Research

Black seed has been researched for very specific health conditions. Some of the most compelling applications include:

Type 2 Diabetes: Two grams of black seed a day resulted in reduced fasting glucose, decreased insulin resistance, increased beta-cell function, and reduced glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in human subjects. [2]

Helicobacter Pylori Infection: Black seeds possess clinically useful anti-H. pylori activity, comparable to triple eradication therapy. [3] 

Epilepsy: Black seeds were traditionally known to have anticonvulsive properties. A 2007 study with epileptic children, whose condition was refractory to conventional drug treatment, found that a water extract significantly reduced seizure activity. [4] 

High Blood Pressure: The daily 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. [5] 

Asthma: Thymoquinone, one of the main active constituents within Nigella sativa (black cumin), is superior to the drug fluticasone in an animal model of asthma. [6] Another study, this time in human subjects, found that boiled water extracts of black seed have a relatively potent antiasthmatic effect on asthmatic airways. [7] 

Acute tonsillopharyngitis: characterized by tonsil or pharyngeal inflammation (i.e. a sore throat), mostly viral in origin, black seed capsules (in combination with Phyllanthus niruri) have been found to significantly alleviate throat pain, and reduce the need for pain-killers, in human subjects. [8]

Chemical Weapons Injury: A randomized, placebo-controlled human study of chemical weapons injured patients found that boiled water extracts of black seed reduced respiratory symptoms, chest wheezing, and pulmonary function test values, as well as reduced the need for drug treatment. [9]

Colon Cancer: Cell studies have found that black seed extract compares favorably to the chemo agent 5-fluoruracil in the suppression of colon cancer growth, but with a far higher safety profile. Animal research has found that black seed oil has significant inhibitory effects against colon cancer in rats, without observable side effects. [10]

MRSA: Black seed has anti-bacterial activity against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. [11]

Opiate Addiction/Withdrawal: A study on 35 opiate addicts found black seed as an effective therapy in long-term treatment of opioid dependence. [12] 

Made by Nature

Sometimes the biblical reference to ‘faith the size of a mustard seed moving mountains’ comes to mind in connection with natural substances like black seeds. After all, do seeds not contain within them the very hope for a continuance of the entire species that bore it?  This super-saturated state of the seed, where life condenses itself down into an intensely miniaturized holographic fragment of itself, promising the formation of future worlds within itself, is the very emblem of life’s immense and immortal power.

If we understand the true nature of the seed, how much life (past, present, and future) is contained within it, it will not seem so far-fetched that it is capable of conquering antibiotic resistant bacteria, healing the body from chemical weapons poisoning, or stimulate the regeneration of dying insulin-producing beta cells in the diabetic, to name but only a fraction of black seed’s experimentally-confirmed powers.
Moving the mountain of inertia and falsity associated with the conventional concept of disease is a task well-suited for seeds and not chemicals. The greatest difference, of course, between a seed and a patented synthetic chemical (i.e. pharmaceutical drug), is that Nature (God) made the former, and men with profit-motives and a deranged understanding of the nature of the body made the latter.
The time, no doubt, has come for food, seeds, herbs, plants, sunlight, air, clean water, and yes, love, to assume once again their central place in medicine, which is to say, the art and science of facilitating self-healing within the human body. Failing this, the conventional medical system will crumble under the growing weight of its own corruption, ineptitude, and iatrogenic suffering (and subsequent financial liability) it causes. To the degree that it reforms itself, utilizing non-patented and non-patentable natural compounds with actual healing properties, a brighter future awaits on the horizon. To the degree that it fails, folks will learn to take back control over their health themselves, which is why black seed, and other food-medicines, hold the key to self-empowerment.

Sources

[1] Domestication of plants in the Old World (3 ed.). Oxford University Press. 2000. p. 206. ISBN 0-19-850356-3.

[2] Abdullah O Bamosa, Huda Kaatabi, Fatma M Lebdaa, Abdul-Muhssen Al Elq, Ali Al-Sultanb. Effect of Nigella sativa seeds on the glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2010 Oct-Dec;54(4):344-54. PMID: 21675032

[3] Eyad M Salem, Talay Yar, Abdullah O Bamosa, Abdulaziz Al-Quorain, Mohamed I Yasawy, Raed M Alsulaiman, Muhammad A Randhawa. Comparative study of Nigella Sativa and triple therapy in eradication of Helicobacter Pylori in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia. Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2010 Jul-Sep;16(3):207-14. PMID: 20616418

[4] Javad Akhondian, Ali Parsa, Hassan Rakhshande. The effect of Nigella sativa L. (black cumin seed) on intractable pediatric seizures. Med Sci Monit. 2007 Dec;13(12):CR555-9. PMID: 18049435

[5] Farshad Roghani Dehkordi, Amir Farhad Kamkhah. Antihypertensive effect of Nigella sativa seed extract in patients with mild hypertension. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2006 Apr;39(4):421-9. Epub 2006 Apr 3. PMID: 18705755

[6] Rana Keyhanmanesh, Mohammad Hossein Boskabady, Mohammad Javad Eslamizadeh, Saeed Khamneh, Mohammad Ali Ebrahimi. The effect of thymoquinone, the main constituent of Nigella sativa on tracheal responsiveness and white blood cell count in lung lavage of sensitized guinea pigs. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Oct 29;126(1):102-7. Epub 2009 Aug 8. PMID: 19711253

How to treat Bell's Palsy

Reposted from Dr. Mercola

http://articles.mercola.com/bells-palsy/treatment.aspx

Once you begin to develop the symptoms of Bell’s palsy, you will need to visit a neurologist for a proper diagnosis. A neurologist specializes in treating problems concerning the nervous system, and he or she will be able to examine your condition correctly.¹

3 Ways Your Doctor Can Diagnose Bell's Palsy

Before preparing to visit the doctor, there are several things you need to take note of that can help your diagnosis:²

• Note the symptoms: Write down any symptoms you have been experiencing that you believe are a result of Bell’s palsy. Try to be as detailed as you can
• Personal information: Any recent developments in your life such as an upcoming important event, recently added stress and other changes that may have affected your health can help your diagnosis.
• Current medications: If you’re taking any medication right now to treat an illness or chronic health condition, let your doctor know so he or she can rule that out as a possible cause of Bell’s palsy.
• Bring a family member: Ask a close relative to accompany you to the doctor to help you remember any other details you may have missed.

Diagnosing Bell’s palsy initially requires a visual examination. Your neurologist will examine your facial muscles and you may be asked to try different exercises to confirm which areas have been affected. Afterward, you will undergo a few other diagnostic tests to help determine the probable cause and rule out other causes or diseases, such as stroke or a tumor. The most common tests are:³

• Electromyography (EMG): This exam assesses the health of your muscles and neurons by using electrodes to detect electrical signals.⁴
• Blood tests: These tests will be done to check for the presence of bacteria or viruses that may have caused Bell’s palsy.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): You may be asked to take an MRI exam to check for any possible structural damage in your skull.

Home Remedies to Treat Bell's Palsy

If you’ve been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, you may be surprised to know that most cases do not require treatment at all. There’s a good chance you can fully recover within weeks’ or months’ time. However, that doesn’t mean you should just leave your condition untreated. There are several options you can try to help you manage your condition.
Conventional treatment of Bell’s palsy typically makes use of corticosteroid medication. However, it can have several side effects such as stomach problems, weight gain and increased risk of depression, so it is not recommended.⁵ Instead, there are several home remedies you can try to help you speed up your recovery, such as:⁶

• Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is crucial if you have some form of facial paralysis. It can help prevent muscles from weakening and shrinking, helping maintain your facial structure while you recover. A physical therapist experienced in treating patients with Bell’s palsy can help you with various massages and exercises.
• Mime Therapy
This form of therapy involves practicing miming techniques to help improve your recovery. In a study conducted in the Netherlands, patients with facial paralysis who practiced a combination of massages, relaxation techniques and facial expression exercises had a noted improvement in their facial symmetry in just three months.⁷
• Acupuncture Combined With Vitamin B12 Consumption
Acupuncture and vitamin B12 consumption are two common alternative options suggested when treating Bell’s palsy naturally. In a study published in Neural Regeneration Research, researchers noted that combining the two can help prevent incomplete recovery, as compared to acupuncture alone.⁸
• Eye Protection
If your condition has affected your ability to close an eye (or eyes) properly, you will need to take measures to make sure your eye doesn’t dry out. Lubrication is important to maintain eye health and keep away infections. To protect your eyes, you can consume foods rich in omega-3 to help maintain hydration, along with using a humidifier to keep the air in your home moist.⁹
• Diet Rich in Vitamin B
Consumption of foods rich in various B vitamins is generally recommended to help maintain a healthy nervous system, and may even reduce your risk of brain shrinkage and Alzheimer’s disease. Recommended foods include pasture-raised eggs, wild-caught fish and dark leafy greens.

Introduction to Bell's Palsy

Reposted from Dr. Mercola

http://articles.mercola.com/bells-palsy.aspx?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=facebookmercola_diseases&utm_campaign=20170802_bells-palsy-intro

Bell’s palsy is a neurological condition that causes temporary facial paralysis due to inflammation of the seventh cranial nerve, also known as the facial nerve. This nerve is responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the muscles that allow you to perform common face-related actions, such as blinking, chewing and projecting emotional expressions.
The condition is accredited to Sir Charles Bell, a 19th century Scottish surgeon who discovered the relation between the facial nerve and the corresponding muscles it controls.¹

Common Misconceptions Regarding Bell's Palsy

Due to the peculiar symptoms of Bell’s palsy, not many people have an understanding of this disease, and children who have it are sometimes even bullied.² Other common misconceptions about this condition include:³

• Chewing Gum Can Help Repair Your Paralysis
This advice is commonly given to people with Bell’s palsy, as it’s said to help regain muscle control. However, it may actually worsen your condition because the movement may cause synkinesis, which is the incorrect rebuilding of damaged nerves.
• Cold Temperatures Can Cause Bell’s Palsy
Some people with Bell’s palsy believe that their condition was caused by exposure to cold temperatures, but this isn’t true.
• Bell’s Palsy Is a Form of Stroke
Bell’s palsy can be confused with stroke because both conditions can cause paralysis. However, their difference lies in how they occur. Bell’s palsy results from inflammation in the cranial nerve, while stroke occurs due to blood flow being cut off in a part of the brain.

Symptoms of Bell's Palsy and How It Is Diagnosed

The defining indicator of Bell’s palsy is facial paralysis on one side (unilateral facial nerve palsy) or both sides (bilateral facial nerve palsy). It’s important to note that the degree of paralysis differs depending on the damage sustained by the cranial nerve. You may find it difficult to move the cheeks and/or a corner of your mouth when it is open. Here are other possible symptoms you can develop:⁴

• Problems controlling the eye: You may find it difficult to blink one or both eyes. Tear production is also affected, which can lead to dry eyes.
• Sensory problems: Your sense of taste may become altered, and sounds may seem louder in the ear of the affected side.
• Onset of pain: Pain in front of or behind the affected ear may develop, as well as headaches.

Diagnosis of Bell’s palsy often involves a visual examination and movement tests. Your doctor will ask you to try and move facial muscles to evaluate your condition. Other tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help determine the cause of the paralysis. In addition, electromyography can help confirm the extent of the nerve damage.⁵

Learn All About Bell's Palsy in This Guide

This guide will help you learn all about Bell’s palsy, from its causes to treatments you can follow. Facial paralysis can cause a great deal of stress in your life, but with this guide, you can learn how to face any potential challenges caused by Bell’s palsy.

MORE ABOUT BELL'S PALSY

• Introduction: Bell's Palsy	• What Is Bell's Palsy	• Bell's Palsy in Children
• Bell's Palsy vs Stroke	• Bell's Palsy Symptoms	• Bell's Palsy Causes
• Bell's Palsy Treatment	• Bell's Palsy in Pregnancy	• Bell's Palsy Prevention
• Bell's Palsy Exercise	• Bell's Palsy Diet	• Bell's Palsy FAQ