Many parents are left confused by the recent suggestion from the American Academy of Pediatrics to stop using over the counter decongestants.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a nice, safe and natural remedy cold remedy on hand at night for your child? Try this remedy next time your little one needs to sleep a little better:

Black Seed Oil Rub for Chest Congestion 

Black Seed, Nigella Sativa, is a flowering herb whose seeds have been known and used for thousands of years for their healing abilities. It is known by many names like Love in a Mist, Black Cumin, Kalonji. It is mentioned in the Prophetic Narrations that the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, encouraged the use of Black Seed and said it is a cure for every disease except death.  Modern scientific research over the past  50 years attest to the intricate and amazing properties of Black Seed. Over 200 studies since 1959 have confirmed the healing properties and have given new hope for pursing treatments for disease like cancer and AIDS.

Over 100 Healing Properties  in one tiny seed

Black Seed has shown it effectiveness against everyday ailments including bacterial infections, viruses, allergies, and auto-immune disorders. It is an anti-tumor, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent.

Nigella sativa is an annual flowering plant, native to southwest Asia. It grows to 20-30 cm tall, with finely divided, linear (but not thread-like) leaves. The flowers are delicate, and usually coloured pale blue and white, with 5-10 petals. The fruit is a large and inflated capsule composed of 3-7 united follicles, each containing numerous seeds.

The seed is used as a spice. Nigella sativa seed is known variously as kalonji कलौंजी or कलोंजी (Hindi), kezah קצח (Hebrew), charnushka (Russian), çörek otu (Turkish), habbah Albarakah, حبه البركة (literally seeds of blessing Arabic) or siyah daneh سیاه‌دانه (Persian). In English it is called fennel flower, black caraway, nutmeg flower, Roman coriander, or black onion seed.

Other names used, sometimes misleadingly, are onion seed and black sesame (both of which are similar-looking but unrelated). Frequently the seeds are referred to as black cumin, this is, however, also used for a different spice, Bunium persicum.

It is also sometimes just referred to as nigella or black seed.  An old English name gith is now used for the corncockle.