The Healing Power of Black Cumin in Dogs

Black cumin is an ancient plant-based remedy, known to the Egyptians for its strong medicinal properties. The main substance extracted from the black cumin plant is called thymoquinone. In recent years, more has become known about the unique properties of this natural substance. Thymoquinone also has many benefits for dogs.

The black cumin plant grows in the Eastern Mediterranean region, North Africa, and Asia. Thymoquinone from black cumin is one of the most promising plant-based medicines. Scientific research in both humans and animals has shown in recent years that thymoquinone from black cumin can be used in many diseases. There are studies showing favorable effects in conditions such as high blood pressure, cancer, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, asthma, bacterial and viral infections (even Covid-19), neurological issues, and skin disorders.

The Function of Thymoquinone

Thymoquinone from black cumin is sometimes referred to as a 'miracle cure.' While this may sound mystical, the scientific literature has revealed a significant number of proven health effects.

Thymoquinone has many medicinal properties:

• It is anti-inflammatory, for conditions such as osteoarthritis, arthritis, and rheumatism.

• It is antibacterial and prevents inflammation.

• It blocks the release of histamine during allergic reactions, suppressing allergy symptoms like itching, shortness of breath, or coughing.

• It aids in signal transmission in the nervous system.

• It supports healthy pancreatic function, preventing metabolic issues (which has been demonstrated in dogs).

• It acts against viruses. This is because thymoquinone blocks the spike proteins of viruses, preventing them from attaching in the body and causing disease.

• It likely inhibits the growth of cancer cells, which has been studied in dogs.

• It supports immunity in autoimmune diseases.

Thymoquinone for Dogs

Thymoquinone from black cumin has many beneficial properties and can also be used for your dog. The best option is to use a concentrated extract where thymoquinone is isolated. An oil supplement is preferable since thymoquinone remains more stable in oil form. Concentrated thymoquinone in oil is readily absorbed.

You can give a thymoquinone supplement to your dog for:

• Allergies and skin issues.

• Osteoarthritis and joint pain.

• Asthma, coughing, and other lung problems.

• Overweight and to support metabolic diseases like diabetes.

• To support in cases of gastric inflammation and worm infections.

There is also black cumin oil available for culinary use. Besides thymoquinone, it contains several other active substances. It is much less concentrated and not a substitute for a supplement of pure, concentrated thymoquinone. With a concentrated supplement, you can expect clearer effects than with regular black cumin oil.

Sources:

Kaneez Fatima Shad, Wissam Soubra, Dennis John Cordato. The role of thymoquinone, a major constituent of Nigella sativa, in the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases

CEPP. 2021. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1440-1681.13553

Khader M, Eckl PM. Thymoquinone: an emerging natural drug with a wide range of medical applications. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2014;17(12):950-957.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387230/

Park, S.-H.; Kim, M.; Lee, S.; Jung, W.; Kim, B. Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in Treatment of Cervical Cancer: A Review. Nutrients 2021, 13, 154. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13010154

Li, J.; Khan, M.A.; Wei, C.; Cheng, J.; Chen, H.; Yang, L.; Ijaz, I.; Fu, J. Thymoquinone Inhibits the Migration and Invasive Characteristics of Cervical Cancer Cells SiHa and CaSki In Vitro by Targeting Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition Associated Transcription Factors Twist1 and Zeb1. Molecules 2017, 22, 2105. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22122105

Yousuf Ali, Zakia Akter, Zhiqiang Mei, Meiling Zheng, Mousumi Tania, Asaduzzaman Khan.

Thymoquinone in autoimmune diseases: Therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. Volume 134, February 2021, 111157 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332220313500

Ahmad A, Husain A, Mujeeb M, et al. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013;3(5):337-352. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3642442/

S Mostafalou. 2012. Protective effect of thymoquinone against malathion induced disruption in isolated pancreatic islets of dog. - Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2012 - rps.mui.ac.ir https://eprints.arums.ac.ir/8080/

Shoieb AM, Elgayyar M, Dudrick PS, Bell JL and Tithof PK. 2003. In vitro inhibition of growth and induction of apoptosis in cancer cell lines by thymoquinone. Int J Oncol 22: 107-113, 2003. https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/ijo.22.1.107

Majdalawieh, Amin F., Fayyad, Muneera W., Nasrallah, Gheyath K.. 2017. Anti-cancer properties and mechanisms of action of thymoquinone, the major active ingredient of Nigella sativa

Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2016.1277971. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2016.1277971

Goyal Sameer N., Prajapati Chaitali P., Gore Prashant R., Patil Chandragouda R., Mahajan Umesh B., Sharma Charu, Talla Sandhya P., Ojha Shreesh K. 2017. Therapeutic Potential and Pharmaceutical Development of Thymoquinone: A Multitargeted Molecule of Natural Origin. Frontiers in Pharmacology.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2017.00656/full