FIRST ISSUE OF THE DAY—HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT MY STORE–WORD IS THAT THERE’S A a#MONSTER LURKING THERE AND A NEW CATEGORY:  #BEER—NOW THAT YOU MIGHT LIKE!

The other day I saw a book by a couple of doctors on the “Magical Egyptian herb”  Black Cumin.  The book claims that the herb helps allergies, asthma and immune disorders.  It also quotes the Prophet Mohammed as declaring:  “Black Cumin heals every disease except for death.”  It is further recommended for cold, headaches, toothaches and infection.  

After looking through multiple (5 including Lust’s HERB BOOK) I finally found a reference to Cumin in HEALING HERBS & SPICES by Heinerman where it was recommended for use in a #poultice for abdominal pain and for a recipe of #Cumin-Flavored Game Hen.  No references to Egyptian or Black.  

The internet wasn’t much help with only a few sites:   a couple  selling the spice which always gives me pause  as it is hard to determine  how much is promotion and how much facts.  A blog which proposed its use for more things than what the book authors suggested but not exactly an expert source.

Back to the books (I have quite a nice library) six more this time including the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS, AND SEEDS FOR HEALTHFUL LIVING (by Kadahs) which included garlic and sunflower seeds, etc and  the other GUIDE TO NATURAL HOME REMEDIES (by Bestic) which included thyme and hop to name a few.   No Cumin!

All in all I’d say that at this point I would use other herbs that have better support from the “experts.”

For example:  Dr. James Balch and CNC Phyllis A Balch recommend in their book PRESCRIPTION FOR NUTRITIONAL HEALING:  Natural beta carotene or carotenoid complex for protection and repair of lung tissue.  Coenzyme Q10 for improved circulation and breathing and Chlorophyll to keep tissues free of toxic substances. (consult a your physician–there are many out there with “natural” training now or who have herbalist consultants)

OK closet searching today:  You probably don’t have one this old  but

 

 

An old American flag like this one recently sold at Sotheby’s for $21,500

                                       A  first edition of Suess’ CAT IN THE HAT can sell for as high as $2,500

Consulting an expert is good as even the simplest medicine can interact:  Maalox for instance interacts with calcium, dandelion, ginger, iron, vitamin A and D as well as zinc to name just a few.  (THE ESSENTIAL HERB-DRUG-VITAMIN INTERACTION GUIDE by Grossberg and Fox)

“There are hazards in everything one does, but there are greater hazards in doing nothing.”  –Shirley Williams.