Black Seed's Amazing Health Benefits and How to Use It in Healing
Nigella Sativa
(Black Seed Oil)
Black Seed Oil is extracted from a plant known as black cumin, native to Southwestern Asia, the Mediterranean, and North Africa.
Other names for Black Seed Oil:
Black cumin seed oil
Kalonji oil
Nigella Sativa
Black Onion Seed
In Latin, the term for black seeds is “panacea” which means “cure-all.” In Arabic, the term is “Habbat el Baraka,” which means “seeds of blessing.”
Nutrition content of black seed oil
Black seed oil contains Thymoquinone, Thymohydroquinone, and Thymol.
Black seed oil is also loaded with amino acids, phytosterols, omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins B1, B2, and B3. It also contains calcium, potassium, folate, iron, copper, zinc, and phosphorous.
History of Black Seed Oil
Native to Southwestern Asia, the Mediterranean, and North Africa, Royalty used black seed oil for medicinal purposes. They also used it to keep their skin and hair healthy and beautiful. The Egyptians used black seed oil to boost their immune systems, treat burns and rashes, and other skin conditions. Greek physicians used black seed oil to treat parasites.
Black Seed Oil in Treatment of Asthma and Other Respiratory Problems
Because Black Seed Oil reduces inflammation and is antihistaminic. it can play a role in the treatment of asthma and other respiratory problems.
“In adult patients with asthma, supplementary or single administration of N. sativa seed (1-2 g/day), boiled extract (50-100 mg/kg), or oil (1g/day) for 3-12 weeks significantly improved asthma symptoms and pulmonary function test.” 1
Black Seed Oil in Skin Conditions
Black Seed Oil is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, and anti-inflammatory. It helps with various skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, vitiligo, and even wound healing. 2
Black Seed Oil in Diabetes
“Nigella sativa was shown to significantly improve laboratory parameters of hyperglycemia and diabetes control after treatment with a significant fall in fasting blood glucose, blood glucose level 2 h postprandial, glycated hemoglobin, and insulin resistance, and a rise in serum insulin. In conclusion, these findings suggested that Nigella sativa could be used as an adjuvant for oral antidiabetic drugs in diabetes control.” 3
Black Seed Oil in Heart Health
“Based on our present findings, it can be concluded that TMQ exhibits its cardioprotective effects by enhancing antioxidant defense, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and inflammation as well as preserving the cardiomyocytes, which altogether may translate into the functional recovery of heart function.” 4
*TMQ is Thymoquinone
Black Seed Oil for Brain Health
The Thymohydroquinone in Black Seed Oil has been shown to lower inflammation and has been used to treat brain diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, with much success.
If our memory retaining neurotransmitters breakdown, our memory is not what it should be. Taking black seed oil is neuroprotective and can even give you a daily brain boost and protect your brain health. 5
Black Seed Oil in Cancer Healing
Over 600 recent day studies show the effectiveness of black seed oil against cancer.
Black seed oil is rich in Thymoquinone, Thymohydroquinone, and Thymol. It has antioxidant, analgesic, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, and most promising anti-cancer properties. Further, black seed oil is shown in studies to stimulate apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. 6
Nigella Sativa gel has been shown to protect and decrease the severity of radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer. 7
According to a study from Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health, Thymoquinone and Thymohydroquinone can slow down and cause apoptosis even in pancreatic cancer.
And according to the National School of Medicine, published in July of 2011, Nigella Sativa is safely effective against cancer in the blood system, lungs, kidneys, liver, prostate, breast, cervix, and skin.
“Thymoquinone has been found effective to inhibit the different cancer stages such as proliferation, migration, and invasion. It also acts as an anticancer agent against different human cancers such as breast, pancreatic, prostate, blood, oral, bone, head and neck, cervical, liver and lung.”
Thymoquinone regulates, inactivates, and controls pathways in the body which prevent the spread of cancer. 8
How To Use:
Some people eat the seeds by adding them to oatmeal or smoothies. Some people rub the oil onto the skin for a moisturizer or put it in their hair to promote growth and some even take the oil straight.
A Warning:
I will give you fair warning before taking any Black Seed Oil, or you may have gastrointestinal issues. Start slowly and work your way up to your desired amount over a couple of weeks. You will thank me later! It is perfectly normal to feel like you have the flu when you first start taking it. This is a detox reaction, known as the herxheimer reaction. Don’t worry, this just means that the oil is doing its job. However, some people are fine and that doesn’t mean it isn’t working. Maybe they just have stronger stomachs. “Suggested use” is between 1 and 3 tsp. a day. I have friends who take a tablespoon in the morning and a tablespoon at night. These are my cancer warrior friends!! I would say to start with 1/4 tsp, as this is very potent stuff.
Black Seed Oil is the consistency of motor oil, and people often say it tastes as such. I can’t comment as I have yet to taste motor oil. To curb the strong taste, I recommend adding 2 tsp. of Black Seed Oil to 3 tsp. Manuka honey, add 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and stir in a 6 oz glass of Stockton Aloe. Alternatively, you can mix it into orange juice or homemade green juice. I suggest the Stockton Aloe for its cancer-fighting properties. Drink as fast as you can! Haha!! Seriously though, Black Seed Oil is an acquired taste, and you just may find yourself looking forward to your daily elixir.
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I encourage you to try Andreas Organic Black Cumin (Nigella Sativa Oil) for its purity and 100% bioavailability.
Or be courageous and drink it straight!!
I have to add one last blurb. When sourcing black seed oil (or any oil for consumption for that matter), ensure it is always certified organic and cold-pressed. You definitely don't want rancid (oxidized) oil, as that can create other issues for your health. If you do get rancid oil from anywhere, you need to not consume it. Please return it to wherever you got it!
Oh…and of course one more thing. There should not be any other ingredients added to your cold-pressed organic oil. No hexane…nothing but oil! And as always if you are taking any supplements please talk to your doctor about adding black seed oil.
Disclaimer: The contents of this website are based on personal experiences, opinions, and my own research. Information on this website is for educational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, replace, treat or cure any medical or mental health condition. Please see your doctor with any health-related questions. Statements on this website have not been approved or evaluated by the FDA. While perusing this site, please use your best judgment in conjunction with your Naturopath or other health care provider.
