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Black seed (Nigella sativa) oil has anti-inflammatory properties. [Photo: Bigstock]

Black seed and honey mixture treats indigestion

Natural Health News — A mixture of black seed oil and honey can help ease symptoms of indigestion and fight Helicobacter pylori infection.

In a recent 8-week placebo-controlled study Iranian researchers divided 70 men and women with chronic dyspepsia (indigestion) into two groups.

The first received a daily dose of cold-pressed black cumin seed oil, honey  and water in a ratio of 1:1:1. The placebo was mineral oil mixed with honey and water in the same ratio. To give comparable colour and taste to the placebo, minute amounts of chlorophyll and red chili pepper fruit extract was added to the mineral oil.

All patients were also taking the drug famotidine, which inhibits stomach acid production.

A traditional remedy

Black seed (Nigella sativa) oil is a traditional Persian medicine used for over 1000 years as a remedy for many ailments. In animal studies it has been shown to have gastroprotective properties as well as antibacterial activity against clinical Helicobacter pylori infections.

Honey has similar gastrointestinal benefits and has likewise demonstrated anti-H. pylori and anti-inflammatory activity.

The researchers assessed the participants throughout the study and were mainly looking for beneficial changes in the severity of dyspepsia However they also assessed the participants on quality of life (QoL) and the degree of H. pylori infection, which can be present and produce uncomfortable symptoms, without necessarily causing an ulcer.

Faster improvement

Although dyspepsia symptoms improved in both groups by the 8 week mark, the decreases in symptoms assessed  at 2, 4 and 8 weeks were significantly greater in the treatment group compared to placebo. The improvements were across the board; there were no significant differences in benefits between men and women, nor did improvement differ according to the person’s age.

At the end of the study, the rate of H. pylori infection was significantly decreased in the treatment group as compared with the placebo group. QoL scores were also significantly greater in the treatment group than the placebo group across all measurements including vitality, general health perception, physical functioning, physical role functioning, emotional role functioning, social role functioning, bodily pain, and mental health.

Adverse effects were mostly minor and included, in both groups, included nausea and bloating, and in the treatment group, a burning sensation.

Overall the mixture of black cumin seed oil and honey was shown to be a safe and effective treatment of dyspepsia and H. pylori infection.

The researchers speculate on several different actions including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, and a reduction in acid secretion over and above that from the medication.

They suggest that larger well-designed studies of longer duration would help to confirm these findings.