Black seed oil has been loved for centuries for its endless health benefits. Many even consider it a superfood. If you have never heard of it, or never indulged your body with it, this article is for you. Cleopatra began the trend thousands of years ago, and currently, the longevity/wellness community touts it for its anti-aging benefits. Apparently the longevity experts are into something, which we discuss in this article. This potent oil also fits into other wellness trends of 2018 (1).
What Is Cold-Pressed Black Seed Oil?
“Cold pressed” means the oil is extracted from seeds without using heat, resulting in a much healthier product because the oil is not refined, deodorized or processed in any way. Cold pressed oils do not contain harmful solvent residues. Black seed oil comes from a plant called Nigella sativa, grown in the Mediterranean, Western Asia, and the Middle East.
Health Benefits Of Black Seed Oil
According to several sources, black seed oil is a ‘cure for everything.’ We don’t subscribe to that, but while researching, some pretty incredible health benefits materialized. Black seed oil contains high phytochemical compounds found to be especially useful for boosting immunity, general health and for fighting many health conditions. More research is required, however, there are known cases of it improving conditions such as hay fevers, stomach ulcers, itchy and inflamed skin, dry nose, indigestion, metabolic syndrome, sore throat, swollen tonsils, bronchitis, cough, flu symptoms, diarrhea, breast pain, sperm function, and headaches.
Phytochemicals, of which black seed oil offers in abundance, are protective compounds also found in fruits, vegetables, beans, grains and other plants. Anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidants are additional potent properties, potentially aiding the following conditions…
Allergies
Conditions including eczema, psoriasis, nasal congestion, itching, sneezing and runny noses seem to all benefit from the use of black seed oil. Many experts suggest that gut issues are the root of many health conditions. If you suffer from allergies, begin with enhancing the microbiome of your gut flora. Adding a few drops to your health regime may be an excellent place to start.
Digestion
The antimicrobial properties and massive omega 3, 6 & 9 content helps regulate your metabolism and also soothes digestive issues like bloating, cramps, and bowel irregularities.
Asthma
Asthma, an inflammatory condition, benefits from the high content of essential fatty acids found in black seed oil. A four-week trial carried out on people who had asthma showed significant improvements in their asthma symptoms (2).
Super-Food For Your Joints
All inflammatory conditions, including all types of arthritis, improve enormously with with this supplement. It lowers inflammatory levels throughout your body, especially in joints. This is attributed to its high content of amino acids, antioxidants, and of course, essential fatty acids (3).
Diabetes
Cholesterol levels in people with diabetes were shown to lower with regular use of this oil (4). Lowered blood sugar levels (resulting in weight loss) and the management of diabetes is attributed to the high amount of the phytochemical thymoquinone.
Immunity Boosting
Thymoquinone supports the immune system.
Obesity
A study done on a group of obese women following a low-calorie diet where some also took black seed oil showed those who included it lost more weight. We’ll do more research before adding it to our weight loss tool kit (5).
How Much To Take?
The oil itself seems to be the most popular method, but you can also buy it in pill form. The seeds are also used in cooking. According to scientific research, various suggested doses exist depending on your health condition, namely: asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and improved sperm function (6).
Be careful taking too much black seed oil or pills to avoid harm to your liver and kidneys. Apart from a skin reaction when applied topically, there are currently no known interactions, but always check with your healthcare professional before taking this, or any supplement. Please note that anyone pregnant, breastfeeding, with a blood disorder, or having surgery should consumption. Black seed oil may slow blood clotting, increase the risk of bleeding, lower your blood pressure too low, interfere with blood sugar control and anesthesia. It goes to show that this oil has some powerful effects!
How To Incorporate It Into Food
Add a touch of spiciness to your salad by adding a few drops to salad dressings. The oil has a spicy flavor, and the seeds have a bitter taste. It has a strong character of flavor so add only a few drops at a time to avoid overpowering the other flavors of your dressing or dish. Try a few drops in your stir-fries, smoothies, breakfast bowls, marinades, turmeric latte, drizzled over cooked vegetables or into a homemade mayonnaise. Like with all other oils store it in a cool, dark place to prevent it from going rancid.
Where Can I Buy It?
Many brands are available from Amazon. Ideally, try to find a USDA certified organic product. MAJU’s cold pressed black seed oil is a top-rated product without pesticides and claims to have the highest potency by providing three to four times more thymoquinone than other varieties (7).
Anti-Aging Effects
Mounting evidence claims black seed oil possesses powerful anti-aging effects. A 2017 study shows that the high antioxidant concentrations help longevity (8). It may help reduce clogged pores, reduce oily skin, moisturize and enhance skin, and reduce dark spots.
Nutrition Facts
Minerals
Calcium, iron, copper, zinc, and phosphorus
Vitamins
Vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, and folic acid
Essential Fatty Acids
Oleic acid, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and unsaturated fatty acids including omega 3 (linolenic acid), omega 6 (linoleic acid), and omega 9 (palmitoleic acid, and arachidonic acid)
Phytochemicals
Thymoquinone, a powerful phytochemical, helps fight inflammatory conditions and viruses with its powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Along with thymol and thymohydroquinone, the powerful concentrations combine for a truly special powerhouse formula.
Uses For Skin
The skin is the body’s largest organ. Limiting sun exposure, water consumption, sleep and the right products all affect the skin. Eating plenty of foods containing vitamin A, B, C, D, E, and K, as well as plenty of essential fatty acids and the minerals zinc, copper, selenium, potassium, silicate, magnesium, and calcium play a role as well. Black seed oil contains many of these nutrients, so its used for acne, eczema, rough and dry hair, psoriasis and skin’s anti-aging.
As a dense nutrient moisturizer to apply topically, try mixing a few drops with a teaspoon of almond oil. Diluting it with almond oil improves the benefits.
Make a massage oil by adding a 1:2 ratio of black seed oil to almond oil. Massage this into your scalp and hair to soothe flakiness and sensitivity. A known fighter of lice and aid for thinning hair, one bottle provides infinite uses.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
References
- https://www.wellandgood.com/fitness-wellness-trends
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.5761
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22005518
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229915000278?via%3Dihub
- http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2015/FO/C5FO00316D#!divAbstract
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-901/black-seed
- https://majusuperfoods.com/products/black-seed-oil-cold-pressed-no-pesticides-1-5-thymoquinone
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5374336/
