Mercy Oil ® 

Cold Pressed organic black seed oil.

naturally high in iron, zinc and selenium.

A natural source of Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Niacin, Vitamin C.

Black seed oil has been the subject of clinical research for the past 60 years. Findings suggest it has the following properties:

analgesic    relieves pain

anti-thelmintic   expels intestinal worms¹¹

anti-bacterial   eradicates bacteria² staphylococcus aurus and E. Coli ³

anti-microbial    eliminates Candida Albicans⁴⁵

anti-inflammatory  relieves swelling⁶

anti-pyretic    reduces fever

anti-spasmodic   relieves spasms

anti-tumour    counteracts formation of some types of tumour⁷⁸⁹

broncho-dilator   alleviates symptoms of asthma¹⁰

gastro-protective   protects against gastric ulcers¹¹ 

 carminative   aids the digestive system

diaphoretic    induces sweating to release toxins

emmenagogue   stimulates menstrual flow

lactagogue    stimulates milk in new mothers

hypotensive    reduces blood pressure¹²

laxative    relaxes the bowels and aids excretion 

Nigella Sativa, or black cumin, has been known for thousands of years as a healing plant. The oil of this plant is commonly known as black seed oil, and is popular throughout most of the Islamic world and Mediterranean region for its medicinal properties.  

Introduced into Europe around the 5^th century AD, Nigella Sativa is a popular spice common throughout the Mediterranean area, where is it used in cooking and for treating a variety of aliments. Belonging to the Buttercup (Ranunculacae) family, it is also known as nutmeg flower, Roman coriander Black Caraway, Black Cumin, Black Seed, Corekotu, Fennel Flower, Fitch, Habba Soda, Habat-al-Baraka, Roman Coriander, Schwarzkummel. The term “Egyptian Black Cumin” is actually a German patent name  of Nigella Sativa oil imported from Turkey (Luetjohan, S. 1998: 106). 

It is a hardy annual with pinnately divided leaves up to 5cm long. It thrives in warm, dry conditions and blossoms in summer, developing delicate blueish white flowers  about 3.5 cm across. Seed pods also develop that grow small horn like styles. Towards late summer, the flowers begin to die, forcing nutrients into the seed pods. This is the ideal time to harvest them, so the pods are collected and threshed to  release the seeds, which are then sent for pressing.  

Although the climate and environment are essential for the plant's healthy development, these are not the only conditions that ensure the quality of black seed oil. Junemann and Luetjohann (1998, page 106) recommends that black seed should be procured: 

      from a plantation using natural biological methods of cultivation so that the  quality of  the oil pressed at ambient temperature is [guaranteed]”¹³ 

Of utmost importance is the mineral content of the growing medium. Soil that is naturally rich in nutrients means that the subsequent black seed oil will likewise be high in minerals and vitamins¹⁴. Mercy Oil® is organically cultivated in fabulously rich soil. Another major factor for ensuring the quality of black seed oil is the extraction process. Undoubtedly, the highest quality black seed oil is cold pressed, because this is the only way to guarantee that absolutely nothing is added, and that the oil you are getting is totally pure. Therefore, as a result of careful cultivation and pressing, black seed oil is a natural source of vitamins, essential minerals, and other beneficial substances that synergystically help to foster and maintain health and well-being.  

Nigella Sativa is mentioned in the Old Testament¹⁵, but knowledge of its unique properties is older still. It is said that a vial of black seeds were discovered in the tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen. Nigella Sativa is  widely known  throughout the Mediterranean and Islamic World and has been used to treat a variety of ailments for millenia. The Prophet Muhammad said of the black seed that in it  “there is healing for everything except death”¹⁶ 

More recently, clinical research has begun to support the traditional claims made of Nigella Sativa's health benefits. Findings of scientific research has regularly been published in peer reviewed medical journals. Research indicates that the traditional lore is sound, and the oil is increasingly becoming more widely recognised in the West for its healing properties. Not only that, it has also been found that black seed oil also contains some extremely rare trace elements and amino acids that are absolutely vital to maintain good health.  For example, it is a source of Linoleic Acid, which is an essential for balancing the immune system, and Gamma Linolenic Acid, which helps alleviate allergic reactions. Another compound, Nigeline, can lower fever, alleviate diarrhoea, stimulate the appetite and aid digestion, is anti-bacterial and is beneficial for the gall bladder and liver.

Another substance, Melanthin, can stimulate the appetite, aid digestion and excretion.  

Black seed oil also contains Nigelone, so when inhaled or rubbed on the chest, it helps to enlarge the bronchial tubes in the lungs, helping alleviate symptoms of bronchial asthma and whooping cough. It also acts as anti-inflammatory because it can help to inhibit the release of histamine. 
 
 
 

Analysis of a sample of Mercy Oil® black seed oil showed it to have the highest content of iron, iodine, selenium and zinc of other similar oils¹⁷ on the market selected for analysis, as well as being a rich natural source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Niacin, and Vitamin C. 

According to the Nutrition Almanac¹⁸ all of the above are essential for the treatment of the following disorders:  

headache, insomnia, impetigo, tonsillitis, acne, rheumatism, diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis 

The above information goes some way to explaining the truly remarkable properties of black seed oil. However, by far the most important aspect of black seed oil is the effect it has on the immune system.

The immune system is a series of organs and processes that protect your body from infection. Ideally we want our immune system to be functioning well enough so we do not experience too much discomfort and that we do not succumb to an illness too frequently. However, the immune system is extremely complicated and delicate, and vulnerable to adverse affects of infection, pollution, allergic reaction and other stresses. Black Seed oil has been found to increase production of B-cells. B cells produce large quantities of antibodies whose job is to neutralise bacteria and viruses. B cells have a surprising ability to “remember” each specific bacteria encountered, and are able to fight it if detected again. In other words, black seed oil is related to improved resistance to infection. As mentioned above, black seed oil contains Linoleic Acid, and Gamma Linolenic Acid¹⁹, both of which help to stabilize the immune system, helping it to fight disease and restore your health²⁰. Also related to a healthy immune system is the problem of allergies. What we call allergies are in fact the immune system defending the body by reacting against something identified as a pathogen. Once the body's immune system is in balance, then the allergic reactions may become less of a problem 

Regarding dosage, it is good to bear in mind that because black seed oil is pure oil, there will be a higher concentration of minerals, vitamins and compounds in a single dose than in an equivalent dose by weight of the seeds alone. There is absolutely nothing to worry about with this because black seed oil is not an “medicine” as such does,  so there is no risk of side effects. Junemann and Luetjohann (1998, page 105) suggest ½ to 1 teaspoon (5ml) 3 times a day. At Mercy Oil® we also recommend 1 to 2 teaspoons (5ml) twice a day.  

Related to the issue of dosage is an interesting aspect of holistic treatments, known as the Herxheimer effect, identified by an Austrian dermatologist called Karl Herxheimer (1861-1942). It occurs when large quantities of toxins are released into the body as bacteria die during treatment²¹, so it has also been called the “die off” effect²². Symptoms can include fever, headaches, inflammation, rashes, fatigue, diarrhoea, myalgia (muscle pain). Junemann and Luetjohann (1998, page 105) also mention possible nausea and skin sensitivity.  Despite this possible discomfort, it is safe to continue using black seed oil while experiencing the Herxheimer effect. However, if the symptoms are causing too much discomfort, it may be wise to reduce the dosage of the oil for a while.  Naturally not everyone will experience the Herxheimer Effect while taking black seed oil. It would depend on whether you were taking the oil for a viral condition, for example, as opposed to taking it for arthritis, which does not start the process of releasing toxins from dying bacteria.  

Mercy Oil® is superior quality black seed oil that is cold pressed from organically grown Nigella Sativa plants in Turkey, generally accepted as a source of the finest black seed oil. Because of how it is cultivated, Mercy Oil® contains the highest levels of essential minerals and vitamins available in black seed oil²³.  

Mercy Oil ® organic 100% black cumin seed oil contains contains approximately 100 

vitamins, minerals and beneficial substances. Our analysis shows that Mercy Oil® contains 

the following minerals: