Black Seed Oil
Black seed oil
Nigella sativa is a small flowering shrub with purple or white-tinged flowers
that grows in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and western Asia.
The shrub produces fruits that have tiny black seeds. These black seeds
have been used in remedies for thousands of years.
Black seed oil is high in antioxidants and may have several benefits for
health. These include the treatment of asthma and various skin conditions,
lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels, aiding in weight loss, and
protecting brain health.
It’s also sold as an oil that can be applied to the skin and hair or taken by
the spoonful. Black seeds are also known as black caraway, black cumin,
kalonji, and black onion seeds.
People have used the tiny black seeds of the fruits of N. sativa as a natural
remedy for thousands of years. The seeds can also flavor curries, pickles,
and bread in a similar way to cumin or oregano.
Black seed oil contains thymoquinone, which is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that may also have tumor-reducing properties.
People can ingest black seed oil in the form of capsules or apply it topically
to benefit the skin. It is also possible to add the oil to massage oils,
shampoos, homemade skin-care products, and fragrances.
High-quality black seed oil is also suitable for use in cooking, baking, and
beverages
Some additional names for black seed oil include:
• black caraway
• black cumin
Some additional names for black seed oil include:
• black caraway
• black cumin
• black onion seed
• Kalonji
Black seed oil has been shown to have antioxidant properties. These can
help relieve inflammation inside the body and on the skin. Herbs and
supplements are not monitored by the FDA. Research and use reputable
brands.
Black seed oil health benefits
Black seed oil has shown promise in treating some of the most common
health conditions, including high blood pressure and asthma. It also shows
strong antifungal activity against Candida albicans — yeast that can
overgrow in the body and lead to candidiasis. Examples of other black seed
oil health benefits include:
• Reducing high blood pressure: Taking black cumin seed extract for
two months has been shown to reduce high blood pressure in people
whose blood pressure is mildly elevated.
• Reducing high cholesterol: Taking black seed oil has been shown to
reduce high cholesterol. It’s high in healthy fatty acids that can help
you maintain healthier cholesterol levels. Examples of these fatty
acids include linoleic acids and oleic acid. The levels of the oils can
vary depending on where the black seeds are grown. People may
also see results when consuming the crushed seeds.
• Improving rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: Taking oral black seed oil
may help to reduce inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
• Decreasing asthma symptoms: The anti-inflammatory effects of black
seed oil may extend to improving asthma symptoms. Its effect in
reducing inflammation in the airways may also help with bronchitis
symptoms.
• Reducing stomach upset: Eating black seeds or taking black seed oil
is associated with relieving stomach pain and cramps. The oil can
help to reduce gas, stomach bloating, and the incidence of ulcers as
well.
• Black seed oil is also thought to have anticancer properties. It may
help fight against skin cancers when applied topically.
• Portions of black seed oil known as thymoquinone and other seed
potions were able to reduce the growth of tumors in lab rats. The oil
also may help to reduce the tissue damaging effects of radiation that
is used to kill cancer cells. But these results haven’t been studied in
humans. Black seed oil shouldn’t be used as a substitute for
conventional cancer treatments.
Black seed oil beauty benefits
Black seed oil has several applications and benefits for problematic skin
conditions. The oil is found in many health foods stores and pharmacies.
Examples of applications for beauty and skin include:
• Acne: According to the Journal of Dermatology & Dermatologic
Surgery, applying a lotion prepared with 10 percent black seed oil
significantly reduced the incidence of acne after two months. Those
who participated in the study reported 67 percent satisfaction.
• Hydrating hair: Black seed oil can be applied to human hair to soften
it and promote shine.
• Psoriasis: Applying black seed oil has been shown to reduce the
incidence of psoriasis plaques.
• Softening skin: Black seed oil has been added to oils and
moisturizers to improve skin moisture and hydration.
• Wound healing: Application of black seed oil has been shown to
reduce inflammation and the presence of bacteria to aid in wound
healing. While it doesn’t seem to be helpful in growing new collagen
fibers, it does stimulate other growth factors to help the body create
new, healthy skin.
It’s possible that black seed oil can increase the effects of medicines that
the body processes through the cytochrome P450 pathway. Enzymes in
this pathway metabolize 90 percent of common medications. Examples of
common medications can include beta-blockers such as metoprolol
(Lopressor) and the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin).
If you take any prescription medications regularly, talk to your doctor before
starting to take black seed oil. You shouldn’t stop taking any of your regular
medications without talking to your doctor first.
Black seed oil can be helpful to liver function, but taking too much black
seed oil can also be harmful to your liver and kidneys. If you have problems
with either of these organs, talk to your doctor to determine a safe dose (if
any). Also, topical black seed oil can cause allergic reactions. Do a patch
test before applying it to a large area on your skin.
Black seed oil uses
Suggestions on foods to add black seeds to include:
• toasted and sprinkled on flatbreads like naan
• toasted and sprinkled over bagels or biscuits
• added to soups, curries, and stir-fries
• grinding them and mixing them with other seasonings like mustard,
fennel, and cumin seeds
You can also purchase black seed oil at most health stores and
pharmacies. The oil is often packaged into capsules for daily consumption.
Nutritional value
Proximate analysis of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds showed a mean
composition of 20.3% protein, 45.4% fat, 7.1% moisture, 7.4% ash and the
rest being total carbohydrate. The fat and ash content were much higher
than the value reported in the literature.
Sources:
healthline.com
verywellhealth.com
medicalnewstoday.com