La Nigelle, 3000 years of history, millions of daily consumers

In several regions of the world, Nigella is consumed daily, in food form, but also in cosmetic form, for the face, skin and hair. It is said that its origin is ancestral and mysterious, that it has survived the ages, that it is now recognized in certain communities and regions and that it seems like a gift from heaven. But that, despite its millennial history, its use has remained local and limited, because it has crossed few borders, like a secret that we would try to keep.

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monument historique

Diving into his universe reveals many things.

It was used in ancient times, and was generously consumed in the time of Babylon. It is found in certain tombs of pharaohs.

Wouldn't she have accompanied Cleopatra to her final resting place? But what did the pharaohs expect from this plant, what eternity did they seek from it? What hopes could she have had?

Greek medicine with Hippocrates, then Greco-Roman medicine with Galen, used it and recommended it on a daily basis.

In the Middle East and the Maghreb, prophetic medicine tells us that it cures almost all ills and that it is the seed of blessing.

It is listed by Charlemagne as a plant that must be cultivated for its numerous virtues. The Middle Ages made it a prized spice. And Avicenna recommends it.

The virtues of this plant are immense

By reading, by immersing myself in the world of this plant, I glimpse
a continent. To explore Nigella and its possibilities, I then approach
of a pharmacist who knows its virtues and who has made it her passion. With
Rita, Doctor of Pharmacy, we are going to explore the immense possibilities of
Nigella: by combining it with other plants, other minerals, other
assets, we will give birth to a range of very high quality products.
For the first time, the Nigella will be stabilized and titrated: its contents
is guaranteed, by extraction techniques and very high sourcing
quality.

The exploration of the virtues of Nigella begins. Immunity, inflammations,
well-being… By listing its benefits, by diving into years of
scientific bibliography, we end up finding. The secret of the
Nigelle is its active ingredient, its very heart: thymoquinone, treasure
of life, a principle with immense virtues, nestled in the heart of nature.

You just had to listen and watch.

A force de lire, à force de me plonger dans l’univers de cette plante, j’entrevoisun continent. Pour explorer la Nigelle et ses possibilités, je me rapproche alorsd'une pharmacienne qui en connaît les vertus et qui en a fait sa passion. Avec Rita, Docteur en Pharmacie, nous partons explorer les possibilités immenses dela Nigelle : en la combinant à d’autres plantes, d’autres minéraux, d’autresactifs, nous donnerons naissance à une gamme de produits de très haute qualité. Pour la première fois, la Nigelle sera stabilisée et titrée : son contenu est garanti, par des techniques d’extraction et un sourcing de très hautequalité.

The different uses

  • Eating

    1 to 2 teaspoons of Nigella oil are recommended, to consume directly


    Oil, powder or seeds to add to your dishes or yogurt


    Diluted in your drinks (milk, tea, coffee)

  • Hair care

    Hair care for dry, brittle, dandruff hair and to combat hair loss


    Strengthening treatments for sensitive scalps

  • Skin care

    In cosmetics, to use alone or in your preparations:


    Apply to the skin to deeply hydrate and purify it


    Massage oil preventing or fighting against inflammation

    See our acne blog
  • Job precautions

    It is recommended to apply Nigella to part of your skin and observe for 24 hours to avoid any unwanted reactions.


    Internal use is not recommended during pregnancy.


    Do not apply the oil to the eyes or mucous membranes.

La Nigelle: making quality a priority

How is it that Nigella is ultimately so little known in the West, so little used? Is it because science hasn't fully explored it? Is it because it is difficult to cultivate? Or because its active ingredient is unstable and difficult to extract?

It's probably a bit of all of that at the same time. Depending on the regions, soils, climates, Nigella will be more or less rich, more or less stable, more or less concentrated.

Nigella experts, at L'Officine du Monde, we select the best varieties by looking at the thymoquinone level and the concentration of active ingredients.

Discover our range based on Nigella