الحبة السوداء

Black Seed (Nigella sativa)

Herb & Spice General Tonic & ImmunityRespiratory & ThroatDigestive & Stomach

Small black seeds (also called kalonji or black cumin) described as containing benefit for every ailment except death itself. Used ground, in oil, or mixed with honey.

sahih graded

إِنَّ فِي الْحَبَّةِ السَّوْدَاءِ شِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ إِلَّا السَّامَ، وَالسَّامُ الْمَوْتُ

“In the black seed there is healing for every illness except death itself.” (meaning, not a literal translation)

Sahih al-Bukhari 5688; Sahih Muslim 2215 Sahih

A companion recovering from illness was advised to crush five or seven seeds and apply the oil into each nostril, citing this same hadith from 'A'ishah (Sahih al-Bukhari 5687).

Ibn al-Qayyim's Commentary

Ibn al-Qayyim reads the phrase as similar to Qur'anic hyperbole ('destroying everything' meaning everything destructible) — i.e. a cure for every illness that is, by its nature, treatable. He lists over ten preparations depending on the ailment: with honey and warm water for stone-related complaints, applied to the navel for intestinal worms, or its smoke used to repel insects.

Caution

Excessive raw consumption can irritate the throat; introduce gradually and avoid large doses during pregnancy without medical guidance.