Kalonji or Black seed, a nature’s remedy

The plants of Kalonji are found throughout the Subcontinent in the form of bushes. The height of the plant is approximately half a meter. It possesses blue flowers. It originated from Turkey and Italy. Later on, it was brought to this side of Asia by muslim physicians who cultivated this plnt in this region. Now a days, it is cultivated throughout this area, whereas it is wildly grown too. Seeds are triangular in shape, black in colour and possess a severe pungent smell, contain a considerable amount of oil. It is perceived that Arabs learnt its use from Greeks. It’s therapeutic use was initiated after the advent of Islam, since, Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) mentioned its therapeutic efficacy and potential of cure. In Arabic cultures, black cumin is so known as Habbatul barakah, meaning the "seed of blessing." It is also believed that the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said of it that it is "a remedy for all diseases except death." Hazrat Abu Hurairah States - “I have heard from Rasool Allah (Pbuh) that there is cure for every disease in black seeds except death and black seeds are shooneez.”                                                                  

Salim Bin Abdullah narrates with reference to his father Hazrat Abdullah Bin Omar that Rasool Allah (Pbuh) said, “Let fall these black seeds upon you, these contain cure for all diseases except death.”


Khalid Bin Saad states that he was travelling with Ghalib Bin Jabr, when fell ill during the journey. Ibn Abi Ateeq (nephew of Hazrat Aisha) Came to meet us. On seeing the patient, he took 5 or 7 seeds of Kalonji and ground it, mixed it in olive oil and dropped in both nostrils, Hazrat Aisha told us that Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) stated that there was cure in black seeds for all ailments except sam. I asked him, what was sam? he told “Death”. Ghalib Bin Jabr became healthy with that treatment. Observations of the scholars of Hadith reveal that shooneez is equally effective for the diseases due to heat and cold. Zahbi states that kalonji removes the obstruction of any part of the body, expels the gases and strengthens the stomach. It is Emmenagogue, Lactogogue and Diuretic. It is an Anti-Helminthic, if taken with vinegar. It is useful in chronic cold. Inhalation of its smell is useful in common cold. The oil of Kalonji is effective in Alopecia. Half tea-spoonful, if boiled in water and taken, is helpful in Asthma and diffuses the toxic effects of Bee and Wasps. Continuous use of kalonji is effective in mad dog biting. Fumigation of kalonji is useful in respiratory diseases. It is useful in paralysis, Facial Palsy, Migraine, Amnesia and Palpitation. It is also an expectorant and antipyretic. It mormalises the secretions of stomach and pancreas. This phenomenon is very much effective and significant in the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus. It expels the kidney and urinary bladder stones, if taken with the syrup of honey. It is effective in jaundice also if taken with milk. It’s powder if taken with water is effective in Haemorrhoids. If Kalonji seeds are boiled in vinegar and this solution is applied on Gums and Teeth, it removes the inflammation of the gums and relieves the pain also. It is also reported that its fine powder is effective if applied in early stages of cataract. Kalonji is also used in skin disorders. The oil of the seeds is also effective in ear-ache.

Chemical Composition - seeds contain 1.5% volatile oil, while 37.5% Non volatile oil. In addition to this Albumen, Sugar, Organic acids, Glucoside Melanthin Metarbin and bitter substances are also found. The Glucoside is toxic in nature, hence the use of Kalonji in large doses and prolonged use might be harmful.


If it is taken with Qust Sheering after breakfast and Dinner, it is effective in chronic dysentery and Asthma. Qust Sheering is a good medicine for sexual debility, but if it is taken with Kalonji seeds and Habburrashad, it becomes more fortified. Modern upto date trials have proved that Kalonji seeds alone or in combination with other drugs are highly effective in Diabetes Mellitus, vitiligo and other skin ailments.


The earliest recorded 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. The Queen Nefertiti was praised for her exquisite complexion always, she had been a regular user of black seeds in the oil form. Her potion used to be made up of crushed black seeds, mixed with vinegar & honey. Applied like a paste this potion was excellent for the maintenance of skin as well as it worked as a remedy to snake bites and scorpion stings.


Black seed is a complex substance of more than 100 compounds, some of which have not yet been identified or studied. A combination of fatty acids, volatile oils and trace elements are believed to contribute to its effectiveness. As for all the benefits packed into this tiny seed waiting to be discovered, ongoing research will have to judge. Throughout the world this little seed has different names which are as follows:


English = Nigella, love-in-a-mist, fennel flower, black cumin, black caraway, black coriander, black seed English, Old (also in King James Version of the Bible) = Fitch
Finnish = Neidonkuka
French = Cheveux de venus, Nigelle or Faux cumin
German = Schwarzhuemmel, later protvurz or brotchrut
Greek, Ancient = Melánthion or meláspermom
Hebrew = Ketzah
Hindi and Urdu = Kalonji
Indian = Nutmeg flower
Italian = Nigela
Persian = Schonaiz
Sri Lankan = Kaladuru

There are over 40 health conditions that may be benefited from the use of this 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

Black seed has been researched for very specific health conditions; this research has been done by the Green med information. Some of the most compelling findings 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.

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

·         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

·         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.

·         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. Another study, this time in human subjects, found that boiled water extracts of black seed have relatively potent antiasthmatic effect on asthmatic airways.

·         Acute tonsillopharyngitis: characterized by tonsil or pharyngeal inflammation (i.e. 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.

·         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.

·         Colon Cancer: Cell studies have found that black seed extract compares favorably to the chemoagent 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.

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

·         Opiate Addiction/Withdrawal: A study on 35 opiate addicts found black seed as an effective therapy in long-term treatment of opioid dependence.
(Research courtesy: Green Med Info)

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 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. 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.

Fraudulent Masked Faces

Pakistan a country that has faced much turbulence at home and on the International level is at handsful in every aspect. One such story was unveiled by a local newspaper on the 22^nd March 2013 about the ex-parliamentarian and twice chosen Minister Sheikh Waqas Akram.

The gentleman, who has twice won elections from Jhang became controversial when previously his Punjab University degree was declared fake. Today the Cambridge University (as reported by Daily News) too has asserted that the A-levels degree in his name is not original. His denials that he had not taken any course from the PU too left many confused.

There is no point in going in circles on how the degree was made, who helped him, how he used his political pressure to gain it etc. It has been repeatedly become quite evident to the masses that he has been a top class manipulator of this corrupted system, a system which has been devised by his kind of people who love to do hanky panky within the system and then never get caught, and if ever they are caught, no serious action is taken against them from the system. Unfortunately the law makers of this country are the biggest law breakers! The nation is kept uneducated deliberately so that they remain unaware of such fallacies.

A country like Pakistan, which has gained massively in poverty, according to the UN Human Development Report estimated poverty in 2011 at almost 50% of the population. Inflation has worsened the situation, climbing from 7.7% in 2007 to almost 12% for 2011, before declining to 10% in 2012. As a result of political and economic instability, the Pakistani rupee has depreciated more than 40% since 2007. Foreign investments have not returned, due to investor concerns related to poor governance, energy crisis, security concerns, and a slow-down in the global economy. The only bright spot is the remittances from overseas workers, averaging about $1 billion a month since March 2011. Pakistan's current account turned to deficit in fiscal year 2012, spurred by higher prices for imported oil and lower prices for exported cotton. Pakistan remains stuck in a low-income, low-growth trap, with growth averaging about 3% per year from 2008 to 2012. The economic situation of the country is so scary that it would be difficult for the interim set-up government to even muddle through now and as for the future politically elected Government that too will face serious issues in rescuing. Now referring to the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate; it is the lowest in the country’s history – and the soaring inflation rate, which is the highest in the past six decades of the country’s existence. Currently, when compared to the Sub-Saharan Africa, which is one of the least developed parts of the world, that too grew 50% faster than Pakistan in the last four years! These facts and figures are alarming, for the thinking minds in Pakistan, for the well-wishers of this country and for the public of Pakistan who has literally paid through their nose.

We must understand, those who break even a tiny law have committed a crime, every time a law is broken the person becomes a bigger criminal. If we want to develop we have to set a few things in order; First of all, loose and discard people like Sheikh Waqas Akram, our country needs top class brains to bring it back on track, not fakes who are only good at deceiving  people around them in particular and the system in general. When such people are put on ministries to take care of public funds, given public trust, they misuse those given privileges.

Out of the 19 cases pending with the judiciary, seven cases are of MNAs, nine cases are of MPAs from the Punjab Assembly, two cases of MPAs from Sindh Assembly and one case is of an MPA from KP. The seven members of the National Assembly include: Muhammad Jamil Malik (NA-107) BA degree from University of Karachi (UoK), Yaqoob Bizenjo (NA-272) BA from (UoK), Rana Zahid Hussain Khan (NA-166) a degree from University of Balochistan (UoB), Jawad Hussain (NA-39) BA from UoB, Sheikh Waqas Akram (NA-89) a degree from University of Punjab (UoP) and now the A-levels degree by the Cambridge University, Liaqat Abbas Bhatti (NA-103) a degree from (UoP), Muhammad Akhtar Khadim (188) a degree from UoP.  
The two MPAs from Sindh Assembly include; Jam Ikramullah Khan Dharejo (PS-6) BA degree from Shah Abdul Latif University and Jam Saifullah Khan Dharejo (PS-3) a degree from some foreign university. The one MPA from KP Assembly; Raheem Dad Khan (PF27) BA degree from Gomal University.  After the degree condition was imposed, most of the politicians from across the country ran towards famous Sindh University, Jamshoro, to “get” one degree. Some 108 degrees out of the total more than 1,150 degrees of MPs were obtained from the University of Sindh.

Everything was reported but no institution, the SC or ECP, ever took notice of the situation and the Sindh University administration remained untouched because of powerful political backing. Many honest officers did their best during the last few years to stand by the principles to follow the Supreme Court judgments in letter and spirit but corrupt political elite made an example of such officers and no one ever came to rescue or help such officers.


The SC must take a serious notice of this grave manipulation. An example should be set so that in future no one dares to repeat such an action. In our rural areas the following is practiced in routine by farmers; in the agricultural lands when a crow is hung dead to a tree by a farmer, the rest of the crows don’t dare to enter that field, similar should be done here.


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We Die More!

150 people wounded and almost 50 dead, women and children in majority, Karachi mourns today. After a car bomb and another blast (150 kilograms explosives) which took place at Maghrib time that rocked the city on 3^rd of March 2013. It was detonated in the Abbas Town, a Shia dominated residential area. The twin explosions were so powerful that they damaged  flat buildings, cars, and surrounding areas leaving on the site a crater that was 2 meters wide and more than 1 meter (4 feet) deep. "I was at home when I heard a huge blast. When I came out, I saw there was dust all around in the streets. Then I saw flames," said Syed Irfat Ali, a resident who described how people were crying and trying to run to safety. Tahira Begum, a relative of a blast victim, demanded the government take strict action against the attackers. "Where is the government?" she asked during an interview with local Aaj News TV. "Terrorists roam free. No one dares to catch them." A resident who lived in the area where the bomb went off Sunday said there had been another blast nearby just a few months ago. "The government has totally failed to provide security to common people in this country," Hyder Zaidi said.

According to the BBC report; “Groups such as Lashkar-e-Jhangvi have long regarded Shia Muslims as heretics and have stepped up attacks in recent years.” With media reports emerging slowly, all emphasized on sectarian targeting, one wonders why this is regarded so? Reports come in that the TTP was responsible.

Our brothers and sisters die on daily basis; we are under attack, not one community but the whole country. Register this in mind, everyday who are targeted in Karachi or elsewhere in Pakistan are the citizens of this country first, they are killed for one reason only; for being a Pakistani,  and that their faith is never asked when they are made to die. Extremist elements inside the country are backed by foreign Governments who are likely the culprits. The end goal is to plunge Pakistan into a sectarian nightmare reminiscent of post-Saddam Iraq or the tragic events currently unfolding in Syria! Iraq today still has its towns and cities bombed where Shia reside, it is blamed on the Sunni population showing a picture to the world that what was done to Iraq was absolutely correct by the NATO. This also shows, an international conspiracy; to divide the Muslims and create undue panic in the religion.

There are certain questions a common Pakistani would ask: :
Where are all these explosives coming from? What are all those pickets for which have cluttered every city of Pakistan? What are our security agencies doing about this? Why is there no action being taken by the Government? Why is it letting it all happen? Why do the Government and its allies only condemn such attacks, while the criminals walk freely all over Pakistan? Why have the citizens of this country been put to this insecurity? What is their fault?

Even more disturbing is the fact that no security personnel arrived at the scene of the bomb blast at Abbas Town. The rangers/police were deployed at Mohatta Palace where a Government advisor was celebrating her engagement ceremony, with a musical night that lasted way after midnight. It is said; the security personnel were not allowed to leave their positions at the palace. Why the honorable rulers were having a swell time at the cost of their subjects?

The Interior ministry knew this was to happen, Mr Rehman Malik the said minister had announced it to media in one of his press conferences. If such was the case, why weren’t actions taken on time to prevent this atrocious terrorist attack? What seems here is: That there is total incompetence that rules us. Having reports of such attacks and no action taken to prevent shows a complete paralysis, incompetency, that the Government is lethargic. There is lack of coordination between the security agencies, the Rangers, Police and the Army.
                                                                                    
As a Pakistani citizen, our hearts bleed for those who died, our hearts cry for those who got injured, our hearts feel the pain of those families who became victims. Let this moment in time be a lesson for every Pakistani. Through hardship walks in resilience and the will to survive. Miracles will not happen for us! Those times are gone with the passing away of the pious Prophets. Do we look forward to get gobbled up like Iraq or Syria? Can we change our fate without expecting it from a Government that has no will to help?

There is still hope, the key lies in the hands of Pakistanis. They must come out of caste system, friendships, of obliging people. It’s a matter of life and death now, life stands with the will and death stands when we all go quiet on everything that is happening around us. It’s better to stand together today than to die like a dog alone, lying on the side of a street with nobody to pick up the body. Coming few months are decisive for the fate of Pakistanis. You, I, everyone today know who is capable of delivering Governance and security to the people. Put your hand on your heart and ask yourself who can deliver you; this present lot that rules you or a new able set-up? Think about your own kith and kin, they could be one of those victims in the coming months. Decide Now!

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