(NaturalNews) As more research on the various health benefits of natural foods and ingredients is performed, there are more findings that substantiate what naturopaths and homeopathic healers have known for years.

Some of that recent research has focused on the benefits of black cumin seed, and scientists are now able to report that there is evidence they retard growth of cancerous cells and, in fact, is very effective in the treatment of cancerous conditions.

As reported by Healthy Food Place, black cumin seed oil and its extract, thymoquinone, appear to be very effective at battling liver cancer, melanoma, lymphoma, cervical cancer, and pancreatic, bone, breast, stomach, prostate, colon and brain cancers as well.

The site reported further:
 

There have been many advances made by scientists in human clinical tests, even with almost no risk of side effects. However, the black seed oil does not get enough recognition from the modern medicine.

Age-old health benefits of black cumin

The fact is, though, that the oil has been used for centuries to treat cancerous tumors. A pair of studies from Chinese and Saudi Arabia in 2011, the site reported, found that the oil has been used for hundreds of years to treat cancer, confirming its cancer-fighting properties. In addition, research has found that black cumin oil can also be effective in the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, kidney problems and many other conditions.

Scientists do not completely understand yet the mechanisms behind the oil's cancer-fighting qualities, but some studies suggest that thymoquinone has a powerful antioxidant action that reinforces the immune system. But studies have shown that the seed's oil induces apoptosis in cancer cells without compromising the body's immunity. In addition, the oil seems to control the Akt pathway, which helps maintain cellular survival.