Nearly 15% of childhood epilepsy cases are resistant to treatment. Many of the drugs used to treat epilepsy produce unwanted side effects or are capable of producing serious adverse events. When epilepsy remains uncontrolled, it is termed refractory or pharmacoresistant. A recent study found Black Seed oil has anticonvulsant effects and improved seizure control in children suffering from refractory epilepsy. Earlier animal studies have also demonstrated the anticonvulsant effects of thymoquinone. Researchers hypothesized that thymoquinone may have anticonvulsant activity in petit mal epilepsy probably through an opioid receptor-mediated increase in GABAergic tone. They have also suggested black seed's potent antioxidant properties may be responsible for preventing seizures as well.

Akhondian J, Parsa A, Rakhshande H. The effect of Nigella Sativa L. (Black Cumin seed) on intractable pediatric seizures. Med Sci Monit. 2007 Dec;13(12):CR555-9.

Hosseinzadeh H, Parvardeh S, Nassiri-Asl M, et al. Intracerebroventricular administration of thymoquinone, the major constituent of Nigella Sativa seeds, suppresses epileptic seizures in rats. Med Sci Monit. 2005 Apr;11(4):BR106-10.

Hosseinzadeh H, Parvardeh S. Anticonvulsant effects of thymoquinone, the major constituent of Nigella sativa seeds, in mice. Phytomedicine. 2004 Jan;11(1):56-64.

Ilhan A, Gurel A, Armutcu F, et al. Antiepileptogenic and antioxidant effects of Nigella sativa oil against pentylenetetrazol-induced kindling in mice. Neuropharmacology. 2005 Sep;49(4):456-64.

Verhelst H, Boon P, Buyse G, et al. Steroids in intractable childhood epilepsy: clinical experience and review of the literature. Seizure. 2005 Sep;14(6):412-21.

TESTIMONIALS

WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW!