Discover 8 Amazing Health Benefits of Black Seed Oil Now!
Black seed oil, also known as black cumin or Nigella sativa oil, is a natural oil extracted from the seeds of the Nigella sativa plant.
Unlock the incredible powers of this potent, all-natural health supplement: here are 8 surprising black seed oil health benefits you need to know about!
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Black Seed Oil Health Benefits
Black seed oil has been used for thousands of years in traditional and ayurvedic medicines as both a curative and preventive remedy for numerous health conditions. Its natural compounds, including thymoquinone[1], thymohydroquinone[2], and thymol have powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties.
Consuming black seed oil daily is proven to significantly boost overall health, as well as skin and hair appearance.
1. Reduces inflammation
Black seed oil has been shown to naturally have powerful anti-inflammatory properties[3]. The oil is very rich in thymoquinone, a potent anti-inflammatory compound that reduces the body’s production of pro-inflammation cytokines.
As a result, black seed oil helps improve overall health and reduce the symptoms of numerous chronic inflammatory conditions, such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis[4]. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and pain. Like sea moss, studies and clinical trials show that Nigella sativa helps improve inflammation and alleviate joint pain and symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Asthma and allergies. Consuming black seed oil daily reduces airway inflammationand improves lung function in people with asthma[5]. Similarly, it can reduce allergy symptoms[6] like sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion in individuals with hay fever.
- Inflammatory bowel disease. IBD is a group of chronic conditions causing inflammation of the digestive tract. Thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, black cumin oil also helps reduce gut inflammation and alleviate the symptoms of IBD and Crohn's disease[7].
Additionally, the anti-inflammatory effects of black seed oil provide numerous benefits for health and play an essential role in preventing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or even cancer.
2. A natural antioxidant
Another attractive health benefit of black seed oil is its potent antioxidant properties.
Nigella sativa oil naturally contains a variety of antioxidants, including thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, and thymol[8]. These antioxidants protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress and damage to DNA, proteins, and other important cellular components).
As a result, consuming black seed oil significantly reduces the risk of chronic diseases, particularly heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes which are highly linked to oxidative stress[9] and inflammation.
It also protects the liver, an organ vulnerable to oxidative damage, as well as the skin (see below) and cognitive function. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. It has neuroprotective effects and helps improve cognitive function, learning, and memory.[10]
Black seed oil is an excellent source of vitamin E, another important antioxidant that protects the cells from damage.
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3. Improves gut health & digestion
Black seed oil has been shown to have valuable health benefits for gut health and digestion[11].
As mentioned above, its natural anti-inflammatory benefits help reduce inflammation in the gut, preventing or reducing symptoms of chronic bowel conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and leaky gut syndrome.
But that’s not all. Nigella sativa also acts as a natural antimicrobial. It can help fight off harmful bacteria[12], viruses, and fungi that often cause gastrointestinal infections and digestive problems.
Additionally, taking black seed oil supplements helps improve digestion by stimulating the natural production of digestive enzymes and increasing intestinal muscle contraction. As a result, the foods move through the digestive tract more efficiently, reducing indigestion, bloating, and gas. It also relieves constipation thanks to a mild laxative effect.
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4. Heart healthy
Black seed oil has many heart-healthy benefits, including reducing high blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels, directly lowering the risk of heart disease.
The mild hypotensive effect of Nigella sativa helps lower blood pressure. One study found that taking black seed oil for eight weeks reduced blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension[13].
It improves cholesterol levels by reducing LDL cholesterol (the “bad” one) and increasing HDL cholesterol (the “good” one)[14]. Black seed oil is very rich in unsaturated fatty acids, including oleic acid, linoleic acid, Omega-3, and Omega-6, with potent cholesterol-lowering effects.
Besides, the powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits mentioned above also greatly contribute to heart health.
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5. Boosts the immune system
Most of black seed oil's health benefits naturally come from the fact that it's very rich in nutrients and contains a wide variety of vitamins and minerals supporting the immune system, including calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin E.
Studies have found Nigella sativa oil may also increase T-cell activity, an essential part of the immune system. T-cells help identify and fight against foreign invaders, including viruses and cancer cells.
6. Weight loss
Another amazing health benefit of consuming black seed oil daily is that it can significantly help you lose weight. One study published in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders[15] found that overweight women who took black seed oil supplements for eight weeks experienced a significant reduction in body weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) compared to a placebo group.
Indeed, black seed oil helps with weight loss thanks to its effects on metabolism and appetite. It helps reduce insulin resistance, leading to a more efficient use of glucose and an improved metabolism. Additionally, black seed oil has been found to have appetite-suppressing effects, further aiding in weight loss.
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Organics Nature's Ultimate Fat Burner Pills for Weight Loss
7. Skin benefits
Black seed oil has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various skin conditions. Here are some of its skin benefits:
- Moisturizes skin: Black seed oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamins, which can help to hydrate and nourish the skin, leaving it soft and supple.
- Reduces skin inflammation: The anti-inflammatory properties of black seed oil soothe and calm irritated skin, reducing redness and swelling.
- Fights acne: Black seed oil contains thymoquinone, a potent antibacterial compound that kills Propionibacterium acnes, the main bacteria that causes acne breakouts.
- Improves skin tone: Nigella sativa oil helps even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
- Anti-aging effects: The antioxidants in black seed oil protect the skin from free radical damage, which can lead to premature aging, wrinkles, and even skin cancer.
- Treats eczema and psoriasis: Black seed oil also helps soothe skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, helping to reduce itching and inflammation.
Black seed oil can be applied directly onto the skin as a spot treatment, facial oil, face mask, or body oil.
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8. Hair benefits
You can use black seed oil on your hair, too, and it has incredible benefits, including:
- Promoting hair growth: Black seed oil contains thymoquinone, which has been shown to promote hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp and stimulating hair follicles.
- Strengthening hair: The fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants in black seed oil help strengthen hair and reduce breakage, leading to healthier and stronger hair.
- Moisturizing scalp: Nigella sativa oil is a natural moisturizer that soothes dry, itchy scalp and reduces dandruff.
- Shiny hair: The nourishing properties of black seed oil can help add shine and luster to dull, lackluster hair.
To use black seed oil for hair, massage a small amount into the scalp and hair, making sure to cover the entire length. Leave on for about 30 minutes, then shampoo and condition as usual.
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How is Black Seed Oil Made?
Black seed oil is obtained from the tiny black seeds found in the fruits of Nigella sativa, a widely cultivated plant native to Asia.
Nigella Sativa
Nigella sativa is an annual flowering plant that belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. While it is native to South Asia and the Mediterranean region, it is quite easy to grow and now cultivated in many parts of the world, including in numerous home gardens.
It has a slender green or purplish stem that can grow up to 30-60 cm tall. The dark green leaves can be 1-4 cm in length. The flowers are blue or white.
Nigella sativa produces capsule fruits that contain plenty of small, black, triangular seedsthat are harvested to make black seed oil.
Besides medicinal purposes, the black seeds are used as a spice in many cuisinesworldwide, including Middle Eastern, Indian, and North African cuisine. They have a slightly bitter and peppery taste. The plant was even found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, proving the Egyptians used it for medicinal purposes as well.
Cold-pressed oil vs. hot-pressed oil
There are several methods to make black seed oil:
- Cold-pressed black seed oil: Nigella sativa black seeds are ground into a fine powder and then cold-pressed with a hydraulic press or an oil expeller to extract the oil.
- Hot-pressed black seed oil: the seeds are roasted, steamed, or boiled to soften them before they are pressed. While this method allows greater quantities of black seed oil, the high temperatures can destroy some nutrients and active compounds, limiting its health benefits.
- Black seed oil extracted with solvent: the seeds are crushed and mixed with a solvent, usually hexane, which dissolves the oil. The oil is then separated from the solvent using distillation or evaporation. This method can leave trace amounts of solvent in the oil.
Choosing high-quality black seed oil can be tricky, but here are some important factors to consider:
- Always choose cold-pressed oils.
- Look for 100% purity, without additives, preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors.
- Choose black seed oil sourced from Egypt, Turkey, or India, the regions with the best soil quality and climate conditions to grow the best plant.
- Prefer organic products!
- Choose black seed oil packaged in dark containers or encapsulated to protect the oil from light, air, heat, and humidity.
- Only buy from reputable and trusted companies, like Organics Nature.
Organics Nature’s encapsulated Black Seed Oil is cold-pressed, sourced in Turkey, and 100% pure, providing the highest quality.
How to Take Black Seed Oil
Nigella sativa oil has a long history of use for its health and culinary benefits. Black seed oil can be taken orally or applied topically and is most commonly consumed as follows:
- Oral consumption: Black seed oil can be taken directly by mouth and mixed with honey, juice, foods, or drinks to mask the taste. The recommended dosage for adults is 1-2 teaspoons per day. As usual with health supplements and natural remedies, it’s best to start with a small amount and gradually increase the dosage.
- Black seed oil capsules: Black seed oil is also available in capsules, a very convenient way to take it. For example, Organics Nature’s capsules 1000 mg of cold-pressed Nigella sativa oil. All you have to do is swallow two of our soft gel capsules a day!
- Topical application: Black seed oil can be applied directly to the skin as a natural moisturizer or a remedy for various skin conditions, like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. It can also be used for the hair, as a massage oil, or added to bath water.
- Culinary uses: Black seed oil can be used in cooking and baking as a healthier oil alternative. It’s commonly used in salad dressings, smoothies, or marinades, for example.
What about you? Do you use black seed oil? What health benefits have you noticed the most?
Trusted Sources:
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