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This letter will bring you every month a flash about a new oil or a new approach about a traditional oil.

In February we are glad to present the traditionnal egyptian and antique oil : the Black cumin oil.

We will publish some interesting questions from our visitors in "Your questions.."

"Back to school..." for basics with in February GLA (gamma linolenic acid) or why to use evening primrose oil and borage oil ...

"Special deals" to inform you : what will be your gift this month.

Michel Pobeda in Paris (France) on 141th February 2002

Properties
The seeds contain the components Nigellone und Thymoquinone. Nigellone is a polymer of the Thymoquinone which inhibit the cyclo-oxygenase and the lipoxygenase pathway of the arachidonic metabolism. Lipoxygenase catalyses the formation of leukotrienes from arachidonic acid which function as a mediator of allergies and inflammations. First step of the reaction is a - enzymatically formed - peroxide. Cyclo-oxygenase is the initial enzyme of the cyclooxygenase metabolism which yields from arachidonic acid eventually prostaglandines (and thromboxane). Prostaglandines are also mediators of inflammations.

Also non-enzymatic peroxidation was found to be inhibited. This inhibitory effect of Nigella fixed oil can only partly be explained by the presence of Thymoquinone. A substrate inhibition by uncommon C20:2 unsaturated fatty acids (which are similar to arachidonic acid) may also play a role. The research results support the traditional use of Nigella oil against rheumatical and inflammatory diseases. (see bibliography)

Cosmetic Uses
Anti free-radical, protection, stimulation, daily skin care

It is stated in the Pharmacopoeia of India, that nigella seeds are carminative

The plant
Nigella sativa is a plant occurring in China, in the Mediterranean countries, in the Near East and in India. Nigella sativa belongs to the Ranunculaceae.

Process
Oil is cold pressed from the seeds

Composition

Bibliography

CHAKKRAVARTY, N., 1993: Inhibition of histamine release from mast cells by nigellone. Ann. Allergy. 1993 Mar; 70(3): 237-42 EL-DAKHAKHNY, M., et al., 1965: Arzneimittel-Forschung 15 (1965), 1227-1229 Pharm. Zh. 106 (1967), Nr. 4. Journal pharmac. Sci (Cairo) 1(1960) 9
EL-TAHIR, K.E. et al., 1993: The cardiovascular actions of the volatile oil of the black seed (Nigella sativa) in rats: elucidation of the mechanism of action. Gen. Pharmacol. 1993 Sep; 24(5): 1123-31
MAHFOUZ, M., et al., 1963: Pharm Zh. 103(1963), Nr. 5 SALOMI, M.J. et al., 1991: Inhibitory effects of Nigella sativa and saffron (Crocus sativus) on chemical carcinogenesis in mice. Nutr. Cancer. 1991; 16(1): 67-72
SALOMI, N.J. et al., 1992: Antitumour principles from Nigella sativa seeds. Cancer Lett. 1992 Mar 31; 63(1): 41-6
Abou-Basha, I. L., & Rasheed, S. M., and Aboul-Enein, Y. H., "TLC Assay of Thymoquinone in black seed oil (Nigella sativa LINN) and Identification of Dithymoquinone and Thymol". Liquid Chromatography. (1995) 18 (1), 105-115
Aboul-Enein, Y. H., & Abou-Basha, I. L. "Simple HPLC method for the Determination of Thymoquinone in black seed oil (Nigella sativa Linn)". Liquid Chromatography. (1995) 18 (5) 895-902
Al-Jassir, M. Saleh., "Chemical composition and microflora of black cumin (Nigella sativa) seeds growing in Saudi Arabia". Food Chemistry (1992) 45, 239-242
Brown, D. "Pharmaceuticals from plants: Great Potential, Few founds". American Botanical Council and the Herb Research Foundation #34
Ghazanfar, A. S., & Mohammed, A. "Medical Plants of Northeastern and of central Oman (Arabia)". Economic Botany . (1993) 47 (1) 000-000
Grieves, M. "Fennel Flower". A Modern Herbal Online. Internet. Available: http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/f/fenflo04.html
Hadith V11. "Black Seed "The Seed of Blessing"" Online. Internet. Available:
http://www.ali.on.ca/islam/blackseed.html
Haq, A., Remo., & Al-Sediary, T.S.. "Fractionation of black seed oil (Nigella sativa Linn) Proteins by using Rotofor". Liquid Chromatography and Related Technology. (1996) 19 (4) 593-599
Houghton, Peter, J., & ZArka, Rema, & de las Heras, Beatriz, & Hoult, J.R.S.
"Fixed Oil of Nigella sativa and Derived Thymoquinone Inhibit Eicosanoid Generation in Leukocytes and Membrane Lipid Peroxidation". Plant Medica
Miller, Anthony G. "Plants of Dhofar, the southern Region of Oman: traditional, economic, and medicinal uses" pg x1x
Nergiz, Cevdet & Otler, Semih, " Chemical Compostion of Nigella sativa L. Seeds". Food Chemistry (1993) 259-261
TGSC Essential Oils of Black Carawaky Seed Oil (Nigella sativa) "BLACK CARAWAY SEED OIL (NIGELLA SATIVA)
Online. Internet. Available: http://www.execpc.com/~goodscnt/data/es1066691.html
Ustun, G., & Kent, L. & Civeleoglu, H. "Investigation of the Technological Properties of Nigella sativa (Black Cumin ) Seed Oil"
JAOCS American oil Chemists' Society (1990) 67 (12) 958-960
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From Nelly: Do you have an oil to help reduce inflammation in my joints ? (increase Omega 3 ?).
Michel's reply: Try perilla oil with its high percentage of alpha linolenic acid (Omega 3 fatty acid).
The difference with fish oils :
1. you can apply on skin for better results
2. no digestive discomforts

From Lysbeth : I use nigella oil for external skin care but what is the suggested use for internal ?
Michel reply: Nigella oil is the black cumin oil, very rich in EFA (essential fatty acid) with 55 % of linoleic acid.
With numerous nutrient components like Protein, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Niacin, Folacin, Calcium, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Phosphorus, this oil is traditionnaly used for complaints like asthma, arthritis and to boost immune system.
Use one teaspoon daily 5 days per week during 1 month. It is approximativly the 4 oz of Codina bottle.
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What is GLA ?
GLA (gamma linolenic acid) is a fatty acid and is an important component in normal human metabolism. It is even found in human breast milk. It is not, however, commonly found in normal foods, although it does occur in the seed oils of a few species of plants. Of these, commercially viable oils have been obtained from the seeds of evening primrose (Oenothera sp.), borage (Borago officinalis) and hemp (Cannabis sativa).
Rationale for use

The human metabolism, like most mammals, can synthesise certain saturated and monounsaturated fats but is unable to synthesise the two families (n-6 and n-3) of polyunsaturated fatty acids both of which via a series of desaturation and elongation steps produce in vivo longer chain, more unsaturated metabolites and ultimately the eicosenoids - hormone like substances - which regulate many bodily functions. (see our january letter)

Typically, the rate limiting step in these metabolic pathways is the initial D6 desaturation; the activity of the enzyme is reduced by a number of factors/conditions including: dietary saturated and trans fatty acids, malnutrition, ageing, alcohol, diabetes, eczema and stress.

Supplementation with a GLA-containing oil such as Evening Primrose Oil and Borage oil by-passes this step in the metabolic pathway and provides directly a substrate for conversion to dihomo g-linolenic acid - the precursor of the highly beneficial vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-aggregatory PGE1 prostaglandin.

Possible Applications
· Health food supplements.
· To assist in the treatment/prevention of atopic eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, pre-menstrual syndrome, cosmetics/dermatology.
· Nutritionals to reduce moisture loss and inflammation.

At Codina we recommend to test a 125 ml / 8 oz bottle borage oil with one tea spoon per day. After the first week you will see on your skin and /or your wellbeing if you need this important health food supplement.
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From 15 february to 15 march 2003, every order will be shipped along with a 50 ml , 1.7 floz glass bottle of Grape seed oil which is very rich in Essential Fatty Acid EFA).
To order shop on line
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