Hi guys

I need some help with a herbal guessing game that is going on with a couple of Naturopathy students at my school - seeds from a mystery herb were sent out and we are now in the process of "guessing" what herb they belong to - this is for fun not for credit or grades. Anyway the herb is indiginous to the Middle East - I have the info below but the name of the herb has been crossed out. Anyone from these parts who may know of which herb it is could you please reply?


Parts Used: seeds
Energy and Flavors: Hot energy, spicy flavor
Systems Affected: Lungs, Stomach, spleen
Biochemical Constituents: Alanine, arginine, ascorbic-acid, asparagine, campesterol, carvone, cymene, cystine, dehydroascorbic-acid,
eicosadienoic-acid, glucose, glutamic-acid, glycine, iron, isoleucine, leucine, d-limonene, linoleic-acid, linolenic-acid, lipase, lysine, methionine,
myristic-acid, nigellin, nigellone, oleic-acid, palmitic-acid, phenylalanine, phytosterols, potassium, beta-sitosterol, alpha-spinasterol, stearic-acid,
stigmasterol, tannin, threonine, thymohydroquinone, thymoquinone, tryptophan, tyrosine
Properties: Stimulant, aromatic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, excitant, galactatagogue, purgative, resolvent, stimulant, stomachic,
sudorific, tonic, and vermifuge

Uses: For me the common name aptly describes the poetry of this exquisite plant. In the garden, one easily imagines etheric spirits flitting
about amongst its evanescent bluish-white blossoms. Even the seedpods, which are so often used in dried flower arrangements, suggest an otherworldly
sense of exotic enchantment. Is it possible that such a delicately beautiful herb, with such potent medicinal properties would be so hardy as to easily reseed
itself in our gardens year after year?

With an exalted position of use throughout the Middle East and to a somewhat lesser extent in India and other Eastern lands, the information about *** I owe
to herbalist, plant-scientist extraordinaire, Jim Duke as presented in his book Medicinal Plants of the Bible. In it he describes *** as a Muslim Miracle
Herb which, according to an Arab Proverb it is said that, 'in the *** is the medicine for every disease except death.'

I have spoken with a Turkish colleague who reports that it the seeds are widely cultivated and traded in ton lots within his country throughout the Middle East,
Northern Africa and India. The seeds are used both as a condiment in bread and cakes and various confections and like pepper or combined with pepper such
as cayenne in sauces. The Ethiopians add along with other spices to flavor local alcoholic beverages. Still another use is to sprinkle them with woolen garments
as a moth repellant.

The major uses I have employed it for are upper respiratory conditions, allergies, coughs, colds, bronchitis, fevers, flu, asthma and emphysema for which it is
effective. Simply collect the abundance of seeds from the pods and grind them to a paste and mix with melted honey to a 'hahlava' (a Middle Eastern confection
usually made with toasted sesame seeds and honey). Jim Duke confirms its folk use for these and a wide variety of other diseases and conditions including
bilious ailments, calluses, cancer, colic, corns, eruptions, headache, jaundice, myrmecia, orchitis, puerperal fever, sclerosis, skin, snakebite, stomachache,
swellings, tumors of the abdomen and eyes, and warts. In Algeria, the roasted seeds are combined with butter for cough and honey and taken for colic.

For upper respiratory conditions, at least a few of its constituents have shown an antihistamine-like action, which explains is positive effects for upper respiratory
diseases including asthma, bronchitis, and cough. The oils of the seed increase milk flow which explains its folk use as a galactagogue. In large quantities,
however, the seeds have also been used to abortion.

It is unusual for a hot spicy herb to have a positive effect on liver diseases as it is used by the Lebanese. Of course, one of its most obvious uses is for diarrhea
and dysentery, combined with astringents. Externally the seeds can be ground to a powder, mixed with a little flour as a binder and applied directly to abscesses,
on the forehead for headache, nasal ulcers, orchitis, and rheumatism. The seeds also are a rich source of sterols, especially beta-sitosterol, which is known to
have anticarcinogenic activity. This substantiates its folk use for indurations and/or tumors of the abdomen, eyes and liver.

In India, *** seeds are combined with various purgatives to allay gripping and colic and also help kill and expel parasites. Middle Eastern Unani medicine
affirms its abortifacient properties and also use it as a diuretic to relieve ascites, for coughs, eye-sores, hydrophobia, jaundice, paralysis, piles and tertian fever.

Contraindications: Do not take during pregnancy. For information and feedback, mail Webmaster@PlanetHerbs



2 - A Saudi Study of ***

Bilal NE, Batouk A, *Abu-Eshy S, **Al-Ghamdi B and **Al-Wabel AA.

Departments of Clinical Microbiology, Parasitology; Surgery and Medicine College of Medicine, Abha Branch, Abha, Saudi Arabia.


This prospective study was designed to examine the in-vitro antimicrobial effects of the Saudi *** whole seed and oil. Two hundred and seventy six organisms, 260 multiple-drug resistant clinical isolates and *16 antibiotic
susceptibility control strains derivatives of the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) cultures were tested against *** crude oil and whole seed. Both, the crude oil and whole seed
exhibited fairly good antimicrobial activity against most of Gram-positive bacteria and some of Gram-negative ones. The highest activity was found with methicillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus (MRSA) and Methicillin-sensitive
Staphylococus aureus (MSSA), Staphylococus epidermidis, beta and alpha-haemolytic streptococci, the


Dr. Naser Eldin Bilal, MPH, MD. Department of Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology College of Medicine, King Saud University, Abha Branch, P.O. Box 641, Saudi Arabia.



3 -*** extract in cancer therapy



Studies
AUTHOR: Medenica R, Janssens J, Tarasenko A, Lazovic G, Corbitt W, Powell D, Jocic D, Mujovic V
ADDRESS: International Immuno-Biology Research Laboratory, South Carolina, 29926
TITLE: Anti-angiogenic activity of *** plant extract in cancer therapy (Meeting abstract).
SOURCE: Proc Annu Meet Am Assoc Cancer Res; 38:A1377 1997
ABSTRACT:

***, an annual herb belonging to the family Ranunculaceae, has strong
immunomodulatory and interferon-like activity. We confirm that our extract of *** inhibits cancer and
endothelial cell progression, decreases the production of the angiogenic protein-fibroblastic growth factor
(FGF) made by tumor cells, and inhibits growth factor for endothelial cells. FGF-1 and FGF-2 are both
localized to myoepithelial and to epithelial cells. FGF is an autocrine growth factor developed in our
immortalized human mammary epithelial cells. FGF-2, present in aggressive breast cancer, was suppressed by
***. In addition, our breast cancer cell line contains FGF 1-4. Tumor growth is angiogenesis dependent and
neo-vascularization is a crucial determinant of the metastatic potential of the tumor. Formed vessels in tumors
are hyper-permeable to plasma protein, due to gaps in the endothelial lining. These vascular abnormalities could
facilitate entry of the tumor cells into the circulation. We studied breast cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma
cells for acidic fibroblast growth factor which we isolated and suppressed by ***. We attempted to recapitulate
early angiogenic evidence in vitro by developing a model of endothelial growth migration and extracellular
matrix interaction. Our in vitro assay revealed that stimulated endothelial cells can produce degradative
proteinase and invade the extracellular matrix similarly to tumor cells. Moreover, this model system indicated
that a fine tuned balance between proteinase and proteinase inhibitor regulates vascular morphogenesis and
invasion. Migrating endothelial cells produce Type 4 collagenase (member of the matrix metalloproteinase
family) and serineproteinase. We demonstrated that specific inhibitors of Type 4 collagenase, general
metalloproteinase inhibitors and serineproteinase inhibitors blocked endothelial cell invasion of the extracellular
matrix. These inhibitors blocked tumor cell invasion in the same assay. *** was compared with these factors
and shown to have the same action. The endothelial cells in culture were reverted to a non-angiogenic state when
the angiogenic stimulus is neutralized by ***. The activity of *** blocked the tumor growth and dissemination
in metastasis and have remarkable promises for clinical use.




4- From a US provider of *** products

An annual herbaceous plant, *** is believed to be indigenous to the Mediterranean region
but has been cultivated into other parts of the world including Saudi Arabia, northern Africa and parts of Asia.

Tiny and hairy, being no more than 3mm in length, *** originates from the common fennel flower plant
of the buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family. *** is sometimes mistakenly confused with
the fennel herb plant (Foeniculum vulgare).

The plant has finely divided foliage and pale bluish purple or white flowers. The flowers grow terminally on its
branches while the leaves grow opposite each other in pairs, on either side of the stem. Its lower leaves are small
and petiole, and the upper leaves are long (6-10cm). The stalk of the plant reaches a height of twelve to eighteen
inches as its fruit, the seed, matures.

*** reproduces with itself and forms a fruit capsule which consists of many white trigonal seeds. Once
the fruit capsule has matured, it opens up and the seeds contained within are exposed to the air, becoming black in
color


5 - An Indian source with a bit of differing info


*** has been used since antiquity by Asian herbalists and pharmacists and was used for culinary purposes by the Romans. The seeds are known to repel certain
insects and can be used like moth balls.

Spice Description
*** are small, matte-black grains with a rough surface and an oily white interior. They are roughly triangulate, 1 1/2 - 3 mm (1/16 to 1/8 in ) long. They are
similar to onion seeds.
Bouquet: The seeds have little bouquet, though when they are rubbed they give off an aroma reminiscent of oregano.
Flavour: Slightly bitter and peppery with a crunchy texture.
Hotness Scale: 3

Preparation and Storage
The seeds may be used whole or ground and are usually fried or roasted before use The are easily crushed in a mortar and pestle.

Culinary Uses
*** is used in India and the Middle East as a spice and condiment and occasionally in Europe as both a pepper substitute and a spice. It is widely used in Indian
cuisines, particularly in mildly braised lamb dishes such as korma. It is also added to vegetable and dhal dishes as well as in chutneys. The seeds are sprinkled on to
naan bread before baking. *** is an ingredient of some garam masalas and is one of the five spices in panch phoran. In the Middle East *** is added to bread
dough.

Attributed Medicinal Properties
*** is used in Indian medicine as a carminative and stimulant and is used against indigestion and bowel complaints. In India it is used to induce post-natal uterine
contraction and promote lactation. The seed yields a volatile oil containing melanthin, nigilline, damascene and tannin. Melanthin is toxic in large dosages and Niugelline
is paralytic, so this spice must be used in moderation.

Plant Description and Cultivation
An herbaceous annual of the buttercup family, about 60 cm (2 ft) high. The gray--green leaves are wispy and threadlike. Flowers are have five petals bout 2.5 cm wide
(1 in), white with blue veins and appearing between June and September. They yield a seed capsule with five compartments each topped by a spike. The
compartments open when dried to disperse the seeds. *** is native to western Asia where it grows both wild and cultivated. India, Egypt and the Middle East also
cultivate it.

__________________
Man, do not pride yourself on your superiority to animals. For they are without sin and you in your greatness defile the earth by your appearance on it and leave traces of you foulness after you. Dostoyevsky

Aw - come on guys. Lisa, any ideas? What about my friends from India, Pakastan- apparently it is widely used in these regions.

__________________
Man, do not pride yourself on your superiority to animals. For they are without sin and you in your greatness defile the earth by your appearance on it and leave traces of you foulness after you. Dostoyevsky

Aw Barb, I did read this - but I'm not sure. I was thinking it might be saffron, or cardamon but am just not sure! Saffron is not hot (that I've noticed!) and cardamon isn't either....

So, while I've been wracking my brains (and it is one of those things that has niggled me since I read this, lol), I just don't know.

I'm going on a trip so I haven't had time to ask anyone locally, but when I return, if you haven't had a sure answer, I'll find out!

__________________
"The significance of a fact is measured by the capacity of the observer."
Carroll Dunham

Barb, just went to my spice cupboard, and had a whiff of cardamon AND fennel - they are similar. Cardamon isn't hot in my opinion, but maybe that is too subjective. Anyhow, cardamon is in wee pods - so when it breaks open, the seeds fall out (many seeds). One uses them in cooking like described above - and if you bite one - the flavour is overpowering. Some people like to bite/eat them, while I prefer not too. I like the flavour in my curries, but I don't like the bitterish taste when I bite them.

So, maybe it is cardamon. It is commonly used in tea here (it has a lot of caffeine in it from my understanding...maybe misinformed tho)....and it is used in a lot of different dishes as well.

Maybe someone else will know for sure .

__________________
"The significance of a fact is measured by the capacity of the observer."
Carroll Dunham

I don't know what it is...but in searching through my herb book I found out that sage, rosemary and feverfew...all have camphor in their chemical make up. Also, parsley has something called parsley camphor in it.

Maybe ginseng, too. AND I read that parsley prevents the multiplication of tumor cells.

Hi Barb, the only thing I can offer is Summer Savory. I have grown it and used that as a pepper substitute for the colitis guy mentioned in earlier posts. It is an annual and has blue flowers!

__________________
Sometimes on Earth, you can find something that resembles a little piece of Heaven. And sometimes on Earth, a little piece of Heaven can find you.

Hi Barb,
Sounds like Nigella to me. Also known as black cumin seeds for culinary use, and the flowers are commonly known as "Love in a Mist". I grew them one summer in my garden and they have seeded themselves all over the place!

[ 08 October 2001: Message edited by: Tine ]

Barb,

If you copy the list of constituents into a google search, Tine's suggestion of Nigella Sativa is the only herb that comes up and then only with two entries.

Nice one, Tine!

__________________
Regards,<br /><b>Simone H</b><br /><br /><i>Aude Sapere</i><br /><br />"Never be a passive listener or learner" ~ Christian Gottfried Hahnemann

If you go here: http://www.planetherbs.com/articles/nigella.html

Your info is there almost word for word!

__________________
Regards,<br /><b>Simone H</b><br /><br /><i>Aude Sapere</i><br /><br />"Never be a passive listener or learner" ~ Christian Gottfried Hahnemann

ooohhhh - you guys are the bestest!!!

thanks a bunch

__________________
Man, do not pride yourself on your superiority to animals. For they are without sin and you in your greatness defile the earth by your appearance on it and leave traces of you foulness after you. Dostoyevsky