Can black cumin relieve asthma?

A team of researchers at the Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, formerly known as the University of Dammam, in Dammam, Saudi Arabia has suggested that black cumin, also known as Nigella sativa, could help people with asthma. In their study published in the journal Annals of Saudi Medicine, they found that supplementation with black cumin, in addition to regular maintenance inhaler therapy, can improve pulmonary function and inflammation in people with asthma.

• The research team aimed to evaluate the effect of black cumin supplementation on inflammation of the airways and limitation of airflow in people with asthma.
• Asthma is an incurable condition caused by chronic inflammation in the lungs.
• The team recruited 76 participants with asthma for the study, then divided them into three groups: one control group and two treatment groups.
• Participants in the control group received the placebo, while the participants in the treatment groups received either one or two grams (g) of black cumin per day.
• The supplementation period lasted for three months.
• The participants continued their regular maintenance inhaler therapy.
• The researchers assessed the symptoms of asthma at six weeks and 12 weeks.
• The results of the study showed that black cumin improved pulmonary function and reduced lung inflammation in people with asthma.
• Black cumin was also proven safe as it did not cause any adverse effects.

Overall, the findings of the study suggest that adding black cumin supplementation to regular maintenance inhaler therapy can improve the symptoms of asthma.

To read more studies on natural treatments for asthma, visit NaturalMedicine.news.

Journal Reference:

Salem AM, Bamosa AO, Qutub HO, Gupta RK, Badar A, Elnour A, Afzal MN. EFFECT OF NIGELLA SATIVASUPPLEMENTATION ON LUNG FUNCTION AND INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS IN PARTLY CONTROLLED ASTHMA: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL. Annals of Saudi Medicine. 2017; 37(1): 64-71. DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.2017.64