Onion seed (Nigella sativa)

This plant is found throughout India in the form of bushes, with blue flowers, that reach a height of approximately half a meter. It originally came from Turkey and Italy, and was brought to India by physicians to be cultivated. The seeds are black and triangular in shape, have a strong pungent smell, and contain a considerable amount of oil.

It is incorrect that Arabs learnt about its benefits from Greeks because, before the advent of Islam, there is no record of its use. Its therapeutic use was initiated after Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) mentioned its efficacy and its potential to cure. Abu Hurayrah states, “I have heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) say that there is cure for every disease in black seeds except death.”

Khalid Ibn Sa`ad states that he was traveling with Ghalib Ibn Jabr when he (Ghalib) fell ill during the journey. Ibn Abi Ateeq (nephew of Ayesha) came to meet us. On seeing the distressed one, he took five or seven black seeds, ground them, mixed them in olive oil and dropped them into both his (Ghalib’s) nostrils. Ghalib Ibn Jabr became healthy with this treatment.

Ayesha told us that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated that there is cure in black seeds for all ailments except sam. I asked him, “What is sam?” He said, “Death.”

Chemical Composition: The seeds contain 1.5 % volatile oil and 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 it’s in large doses and for a prolonged period may be harmful.

Its therapeutic uses are as follows:

• Zahbi stated that it removes the obstruction of any part of the body, expels the gases and strengthens the stomach. -It is emmenagogue, lactogogue, and a diuretic. -It is an anti-helminthic, if taken with vinegar and useful with chronic colds. -Its inhalation is beneficial in the treatment of common colds. -Its oil is effective with alopecia (hair loss). -Half a teaspoon, if boiled in water, is helpful for asthma and alleviates the toxic effects of bee and wasp stings. -Continuous use of the seeds is effective for mad dog bites. -Paralysis, facial palsy, migraine, amnesia and palpitations are also ailments that benefit from it. -It can also be used as an expectorant and antipyretic. -It normalizes the secretions of the stomach and pancreas. This is very effective in the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus. -It expels stones in the kidney and bladder if taken with honey. -It is effective in jaundice when taken with milk. -Its powder, when taken with water, is good for hemorrhoids. -If black seeds are boiled in vinegar and then applied to the teeth and gums, it reduces inflammation and pain of the gums. -It is also reported that its fine powder is effective if applied in the early stages of cataracts. -Black seed is also used for skin disorders. -The oil is also effective in earache.

Olives

The olive, a sign of peace and friendship throughout the world, is described in the Holy Qur’an in Surat At-Teen.

Found extensively in Asia Minor, Palestine, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Italy, North Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, the state of California in America, Mexico, Peru and southern Australia, the olive plant stretches up to three meters in height. Its leaves are bright green and very attractive and its fruits are bright bluish or violet in color.

Although olives consumed straight from the plant are very nutritious, they are not usually eaten due to their metallic taste. A pickled version is consumed largely in Europe.

Olives are preserved in vinegar and imported from Spain, Italy, France, Turkey and Greece, and are favored in Europe and Arab countries. Olive oil is a good preservative for other foods such as sardines and other fish.

The use of olives goes back to ancient times. Vessels full of olive oil have been found, among other articles, during the excavation of ancient Egyptian graves. According to the scholars of Hadith, when the Great Flood subsided, the first thing to be seen on the earth was an olive tree.

According to Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, Sayyid Al-Ansari narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Eat olive oil and massage it over your bodies since it is a holy (Mubarak) tree.”

According to Ibn Al-Juzi, Zanbi, Alqama Ibn Amir narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “There is olive oil for you; eat it, massage it over your body since it is effective for hemorrhoids.” Basoor reported that Aqba Ibn Amir narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) stated, “You have the olive oil from this Holy (Mubarak) tree; treat yourself with this, since it cures the anal fissure.” Abu Na’im reported that Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) stated, “Eat the olive oil and apply it (locally), since there is a cure for seventy diseases in it, [and] one of them is leprosy.”