Shahad Aur Klonji by Hakeem Rahat Naseem

It has been learnt that the honeybees have been around for 150 million years or more. No one knows when we discovered the treasure hidden in their hives, but paintings of beekeepers lining the walls of a cave in Spain prove that we have been practicing the art of beekeeping for at least 7,000 years. Honey is versatile. It has been prized as a sweetener, as medicine, as an offering for the gods, as currency, and as a symbol of love.

In Greek mythology, for example, Cupid dips his arrows in honey before aiming them at our hearts. According to ayurveda, honey is the nectar of life. Because it is created from the essence of a flower’s sex organs, it has a natural affinity with reproductive tissue. It can also heal sore throats, colds, coughs, ulcers, burns, and wounds. And when ingested with a healing herb (like ashwagandha), honey travels to the deepest tissues, transporting the chemical properties and the subtle energies of medicine to the cellular level.

Ayurveda says that raw honey is medicine, but cooked honey is a slow poison. Why? In its natural form, honey is rich in minerals, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, and carbohydrates. But heat strips honey of most of its nutritional value and transforms the honey molecules into a non-homogenized glue that adheres to mucous membranes and clogs subtle energy channels.

Cooked honey creates cellular toxicity and may lead to immunological dysfunction. It can also clog the arteries and lead to atherosclerosis (thickening of the arteries), hampering blood flow to the vital organs. So as a general rule, honey should never be cooked, and nothing should be cooked with honey. Instead, add raw honey to yogurt, warm tea, or spread it on bread or toast.

Black seed (Kalonji) benefits health by providing relief from issues like headache, boils, skin infections, digestive ailments, rheumatism, allergies, bronchial asthma, and even animal bites. Black seed oil is also used in the treatment of diseases like Alopecia or baldness. It is the second most important spice in the world, first being black pepper.

The spice has a pungent, bitter, peppery flavor and oregano-like aroma. Hence, it used as a condiment in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Besides, the spice has been mentioned in the Bible and in the words of Mohammed. Original black cumin seeds are actually quite rare and hence Nigella Sativa seeds are mostly used. Scientific Name: Nigella sativa L.

Other Names: Black cumin, blackseed, black caraway, Roman coriander, nutmeg flower, fennel flower, Charnushka, Kalajira, Kalijeera, Krishna Jiraka, Schwarzkümmel (German), Niguilla (Spanish), Nigelle (French), Ketsha (Hebrew). Black seed or Kalonji has stimulant, analgesic, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-helminthic, antihistamine, spasmolytic, immunomodulatory, diuretic, and carminative properties.

The spice strengthens the immune system and possesses anti-cancer qualities. Scientists are studying its ability to inhibit tumor growth as well. In addition, it is useful in getting rid of toothache, earache, diabetes, piles, gallstones, digestive disorders, intestinal gas, and skin diseases such as vitiligo, leucoderma, psoriasis, ringworm, eczema, acne, etc.

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