Health Benefits of Black Seed Oil
Despite its long history of use, many people still ask “What is Black Seed Oil and what is it good for?” The real question is “What isn’t black seed oil good for?” The benefits of black seed oil are endless.
Nigella Sativa aka Black Seed, Black Seed Oil, Cumin Seed is derived from the Nigella sativa plant which is native to Asia and heavily used in Egyptian culture amongst the greats such as Cleopatra, Nefertiti and Tutankhamen.
Inhibits and Prevents Cancer
The most active medicinal compound in Nigella Sativa aka Black Seed is called thymoquinone. Thymoquinone is the major active principle of black seed oil, it contains a lot of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Since the 1960’s thymoquinone was found to be essential to the fight against cancer and cancer prevention.
In a study published in “Molecular Cancer Therapeutics” in 2008, scientists injected a low dose of thymoquinone into cancerous human prostate tumor cells in a petri dish. The proliferation of the tumor cells stopped, with no toxic side effects. No new blood vessels formed within the tumors, and they stopped growing in size.
Black Seed Oil has been proven as effective protection against the toxicity of the cyclophosphamide (CTX) drug, which suggest the thymoquinone compound found in Black Seed Oil can lower cyclophosphamide induced toxicity by up-regulation of antioxidant mechanisms, indicating potential to minimize toxic effects of treatment with anticancer drugs. The scientists concluded that thymoquinone stops tumor growth in humans and claim it has potential as a drug for cancer therapy.
Promotes Weight Loss
Nigella Sativa aka Black Seed contain high levels of phytosterols, which when ingested, phytosterols limit how much cholesterol is absorbed by the body. In addition to phytosterols, Black Seed also contains extremely high quantities of oleic acid, approximately 2500% more oleic acid than extra virgin olive oil. Oleic acid, makes your body more efficient at using fat as fuel, which means you burn more fat, faster. It also accelerates fat burning within muscle cells for even more weight loss benefit.
According to Brigitte Zeitlin, R.D., owner of BZ Nutrition “Black Seed oil has antioxidant properties,” she says. And, because antioxidant-rich foods are often plant-based and unprocessed, focusing on those foods will add more fiber, vitamins, and minerals into your diet, which can play a role in healthy weight maintenance”
Boosts Fertility
Black Seed oil has been found to increase fertility rates among men. Below 20 million sperm per milliliter is low sperm count. Levels of greater than 30% ‘bad’ morphology or less than 25%-50% sperm motility are correlated with infertility. Several scientific published studies checking for sperm counts, motility and sperm morphology which are essential for fertility have found that giving daily doses of Black Seed oil improves all these metrics.
In one study by Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran, 34 infertile men were given doses of 2.5 milliliters of Black seed oil for two months. The double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial found that Black Seed oil boosts sperm in number and capacity significantly. The study concluded, that sperm count, motility and morphology and semen volume, pH and round cells were improved significantly with the use of Black Seed oil after 2 months.
It is concluded that daily intake of 5ml Black Seed oil for two months improves abnormal semen quality in infertile men without any adverse effects. Using Black Seed Oil has been showed to have an increase in sperm motility, increased weight of reproductive organs and increased spermatogenesis at primary and secondary spermatocyte within 60 days of clinical trial. It had been scientifically proved that the benefit of this herb helps to increase sexual desire and sperm count among men.
The healing properties of Black Seed Oil also help women to deal with any menstrual cramps or any spasms related to your menstrual cycle. Nigella Sativa Oil aka Black seed oil is a natural remedy that has been used for several centuries to break down uterus and urinary tract stones. Additionally Black Seed Oil is an excellent source of iron and calcium thus highly recommended for lactating mothers, pregnant women and menstruating women because of their high need for iron and calcium. Cumin also boosts breast milk secretion in newborn women because of its high constituent of Thymol that increases mammary glands secretions. It is preferably taken together with honey.
Protects Liver and Kidneys
Nigella sativa aka Black Seed, was the subject of a recently released study that sought to determine if the tiny seed with potent historical value could help treat Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), also called Isolated Fatty Liver (IFL), a condition researchers called “the most common cause of progressive liver disorders worldwide.” Published in March 2017 in the Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad-Pakistan, the study divided seventy outpatients diagnosed with fatty liver into two groups. Herbal medicine was provided to the experimental group, while a control group was given placebo. The medicine was a 1-gram capsule of ground black seed, given twice per day. Over the course of three months, researchers evaluated the effect that nigella sativa had on various disease markers, such as body weight, BMI, liver enzymes, and ultrasounds.
Twelve weeks later, the group treated with nigella sativa showed dramatic improvements across all indicators. Combined body weight decreased 22 lbs. (10 kilos), and overall BMI dropped from >29 to 26 versus the placebo group. Researchers cite a “remarkable reduction in aminotransferases level,” signaling reversal of elevated liver enzymes that are key markers of liver damage. Perhaps the most stunning finding is the overall benchmark: more than half the treatment group (57.14%) showed a normal ultrasound after 12 weeks of treatment with nigella sativa as compared to placebo group. Researchers concluded this tiny seed can effectively reverse the damaging effects of fatty liver disease, especially when used in the early stages, and can prevent the condition from becoming life-threatening.
Nigella Sativa aka Black Seed and its main component, thymoquinone showed positive effects in prevention or curing kidney stones and renal failure through various mechanism such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-eicosanoid and immunomodulatory effects. Black Seed and its components are beneficial in prevention and curing of renal diseases including nephrolithiasis and renal damages. The putative candidate in many cases has been claimed to be thymoquinone but it seems that at least in part, particularly in kidney stones, the herbal melanin plays a role which requires further investigation to prove.
May Prevent and Help Manage Diabetes
According to Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nigella sativa (Black Cumin Seed) “causes gradual partial regeneration of pancreatic beta-cells, increases the lowered serum insulin concentrations and decreases the elevated serum glucose.” which means it may help treat Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes within patients. It also “improves glucose tolerance as efficiently as metformin; yet it has not shown significant adverse effects and has very low toxicity.”
Black Seed has also been found to support healthy blood sugar balance. It does this by increasing how sensitive, cells are to both insulin and glucose, thus ensuring that your body responds well to them. As well as it’s anti-inflammatory properties that help to cut down on the triggers that lead to diabetics eating foods that they shouldn’t. As anyone that is a diabetic is aware, low insulin levels create cravings for carbs and sweets and high insulin levels can cause nausea, extreme thirst and fatigue.
Boost Immunity
The immune system boosting properties of Black Seed was noted in (Ibn Sina) Avicenna’s 1025 A.D. Canon of Medicine, who used the seed for stimulating the body’s energy and speed recovery from fatigue. Black Seed contains over 100 valuable components and is a significant source of fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates and other vitamins and minerals. Today it is used as a good source of energy, to detoxify and rejuvenate the body, aid in digestion, boost the body’s natural immune system and ease cough and colds, to name just a few.
Black Seeds anti-inflammatory properties for conditions such as rheumatism and inflammatory disease were studied in 1960 by a group of scientists from the Department of Pharmacy at Kings College in London. They tested black seed oil and its derivative thyomoquinone as an anti-inflammatory agent. What they discovered was that the Black Seed oil possessed antioxidant activity and it inhibited certain types of short lived local tissue hormone responsible for inflammation. The antioxidants in the oil helped to slow the cartilage degeneration. The inhibitory effect suggested to the researchers that other compounds in the oil might be responsible for the enhanced anti-inflammatory reactions in cells. They concluded that pharmacological properties of Black Seed and its derived products support the traditional use of Black Seed as a treatment for rheumatism and related inflammatory diseases.
With all the benefits of Black Seed, incorporating it into your daily routine is easy. To make a warm healthy tea mix black seed (crushed) and pure honey with warm water. This tea can also help when you have a cough and cold and to help ease intestinal gas.
While there is still more to be studied on the benefits of black seed, it seems as though it can be helpful for a wide variety of ailments. More importantly though, as with most nutritional and healthy substances it should be incorporated into an overall holistic approach to one’s everyday health so that its healing properties can help build the body’s immune system over time, supplying it with the optimum resources it needs to help prevent and fight illness.
Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Fungal, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Maintaining balance between healthy and destructive inflammation can be important to avoiding disease, but with age the natural balance can be disrupted. Black cumin seed oil/Nigella sativa/Roman coriander/black caraway may be of benefit in this regard as the seeds of black cumin have a powerful antioxidant phytochemical in it called thymoquinone, and an antimicrobial and antiseptic called thymol.
Black cumin seed oil has been shown to increase activity of macrophages that surround and destroy abnormal cells in the body, and help to stimulate helper T-cells that facilitate healing. One study showed those who took black cumin seed oil had a 30% increase in natural killer cell functions and 55% increase in helper T-cell activity. The active ingredients in black seed oil that provide pain relief are tryptophan and phenylalanine, which help moderate pain. Tryptophan and phenylalanine are both essential amino acids that can help build protein in the body. Inflammation, which causes pain, can be relieved by taking a teaspoon of Black Seed Oil or by applying it topically to the back, joints, and/or muscles. Black Seed Oil contains anti-inflammatory agents that are a great alternative to painkillers, ibuprofen, narcotics, and opiates.
Promotes Skin Health
Recently, it was discovered that black seed oil is a dense source of the rather rare pigment melanin. Found in the outer coats of the seeds, this pigment is one of the most powerful natural medicines available and is an especially potent antioxidant. Black Seed Oil can be used as a daily moisturizer and/or for sunburned skin. This makes sense, since black seed oil has the capacity to protect skin cells against the harshness of ultraviolet radiation. Melanin also has hormone-like powers. The high-density of melanin may explain its historical use by the ancient Egyptians for skin health. It also helps to support skin tone and texture, which helps maintain smooth, healthy skin.
To promote hair growth and prevent dryness, Black Seed Oil comes to the rescue! Heat and/ or daily styling can result in hair loss and damage. Black seed oil is rich in sterols and fatty acids that include nutrients, such as vitamin E and vitamin B. These elements have a big influence on hair growth follicle cells and strengthening the hair follicles, which can also result in boosting scalp hair growth. When it comes to strengthening the hair, black seed oil may be applied for 30 to 60 minutes on the scalp to promote stronger hair and optimal growth.
Black seed oil has been used to effectively treat skin conditions like psoriasis and fungal infections. The seed’s potent anti-fungal and antibacterial properties have demonstrated an inhibitory effect on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), the aggressive and treatment-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus. Another emerging use for black seed oil is as a treatment for osteoarthritis, with preliminary findings showing topical use as a massage oil on painful joints to be more effective at controlling pain than Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Tylenol, without potentially dangerous side-effects. Daily doses of NSAIDs contribute to the toxic burden on the liver and are especially concerning for people with compromised liver function.
Treats Asthma and Allergies
A new study published in the journal Phytotherapeutic Research reveals that a powerful little black seed known as Nigella Sativa aka Black Seed- once referred to as ‘the remedy for everything but death’ may provide a powerful alternative to pharmaceutical medicine in the treatment of asthma. Black seed oil has been traditionally used for centuries for easing respiratory problems. One of the various benefits of black seed is its antispasmodic effect, which means it helps to reduce spasms in muscles and tissues. Because of this, it is believed to reduce contractions within the respiratory system.
Black seed oil is composed of more than 100 micro elements which science has revealed work in synchronicity with each other to bring optimum health. The main power of black seed oil lies in its strengthening and rebalancing our all important immune system which is our body’s defence against illness. Black Seed oil contains phytochemicals which produce the same results as modern synthetic anti-allergic drugs but Back Seed does not have the negative side affects.
The anti-inflammatory, anti- spasmodic effects of the black seed oil reduces the intensity of the asthma symptoms. The compound nigellone has been researched and proven to dilate the broncho tubes giving great relief to asthma sufferers. Indeed many sufferers have no longer needed there inhalers after using Black Seed. If they do the use has been greatly reduced. In addition, black seed improved symptoms of allergic rhinitis that include sneezing, nasal congestion, and nasal itching.
Black seeds contain phytonutrients, omega-6 fatty acids, phospholipids and antioxidants. Awareness Magazine reports that over 100 ingredients are contained in black seeds, which makes them an effective tool against various health ailments like asthma.
In Conclusion
Over 600 scientific peer-reviewed articles have been published about the effectiveness of black seed oil. Black Seed Oil contains the following active ingredients: thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, thymol, essential fatty acids, vitamins E and vitamin B, plant sterols, and natural omega-3s, -6s, and -9s. The synergistic nutrients in black seed oil are vital to our overall health and well-being. Black seeds protect body cells, which in turn prevent chronic diseases and help you recover from illnesses.
Black Seed Oil has been known to assist in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and even improving existing conditions through its natural and organic properties. There are so many great uses for black seed oil that many health experts believe its possibilities are nearly infinite. The key to understanding why black seed oil is so beneficial to the body is because it is comprised of so many nutrients that help heal the body and support optimal health. With all of the benefits it provides and virtually no side effects, the healing properties of black seed oil are definitely worth looking into!
Is it safe for a 3 year old? And what would be the dosage?