Black cumin is a buttercup - unlike caraway, which belongs to the umbelliferae. The up to 50 cm high, annual, herbaceous plant originates from the Orient: Egypt and the Near East, including Turkey and Iraq.
Due to the initially bitter, then spicy taste, black cumin is used as a substitute for caraway and pepper and as a bread spice.
Phytotherapeutically, the approximately 3 mm large, brown-black seeds (Semen Nigellae sativae) are used. Cold pressed, the high-quality black cumin oil (Nigellae sativae oleum) is obtained. It is used internally and/or externally. Black cumin is not a drug, but a food supplement, which is why there are no monographs.
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