Nigella Sativa Oil

#### Nigella Sativa. Known in Europe as "**Black Caraway**" or "**Black Cumin**" is a small plant, originating in the Middle East like so many other spice plants, culinary herbs, etc. Nigella Sativa is cultivated in France and Germany, and it is found abundantly growing wild in Egypt, Asiatic Turkey and the Balkan States. The seeds of this plant are used locally and in many European countries in household spices, usually blended in combination spices where the nigella sativa seeds lend a faint pepperiness, and a flavor which reminds slightly of cubeb. An essential oil is produced by steam distillation, but the oil has, to the author's knowledge, never been commercially available. The essential oil of **Nigella**** ****Sativa**** **is mentioned at this place because of possible confusion with the much more interesting oil of Nigella Damascena (see previous monograph). Oil of **Nigella**** ****Sativa**** **is a yellowish to dark amber-colored liquid. It does not show fluorescence, not even when diluted with alcohol. A fixed oil (fatty, vegetable oil) is produced by hydraulic expression of the seeds of nigella sativa.