Black cumin seed oil is extracted from Nigella sativa plant and is also known as black oil or black coriander oil. Nigella sativa is also known as nigella and kalonji and it is an annual flowering plant from the Ranunculaceae family and native to the south and southwest Asia. The plant grows 20-30 cms tall with finely parted linear leaves. The flowers are delicate and coloured pale blue and white with five to ten petals in each. The fruit is a large and inflated capsule type composed of three to seven united follicles and each contains many seeds which are generally used as spice and sometimes as a replacement for black cumin. The plant is technically part of the buttercup family and has small, black, crescentshaped seeds. The black small seeds are pressed to extract the valuable oil which is used in culinary and medicinal uses for thousands of years. It is believed to have been used by the ancient Egyptians and is undoubtedly one of the most potent health oils available in the world. Historical accounts of Black Seed use date back as far as the times of King Tut in Ancient Egypt. It is believed that Cleopatra used black cumin seed oil for her beautiful hair and skin and Hippocrates was fond of using it for digestive troubles.
It is a cure all oil for many range of conditions and the main effects of the oil is credited to its many fatty acids like palmitic, oleic, stearic, linoleic and myristic acids. It also contains thymoquinone, crystalline nigellone, and different kinds of minerals, vitamins, active ingredients and antioxidants.Black cumin seed oilhas diverse benefits like preventing cancer, reducing inflammation, boosting skin health, lowering blood sugar, strengthening immune system, helping weight loss, lowering allergic reactions, optimising respiratory system and also preventing hair loss. Black cumin seed oil is commonly used by people suffering from health conditions like arthritis, asthma, allergies, psoriasis, acne, eczema, diabetes, weak immune system, cold flu, cough, high blood pressure, congestion, male pattern baldness, obesity and gastrointestinal pain and also those who have high risk of cancer.
Health Benefits
Black cumin seed oil can help you if you suffering from problems like indigestion, excess flatulence, bloating or any other stomach problem. This is possible because the oil is an effective carminative and it has also been linked to efficient digestion, lowered levels of constipation and getting rid of parasites and even reduced risk of colon cancer. The number of antioxidants and polyunsaturated fats in the oil help to decrease free radical activity in the body. It has an ingredient called thymoquinone which is a major ingredient against tumour formation and the spread of cancerous cells by inducing apoptosis in human lung cancer cells.
The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated present in black cumin seed oil is directly linked to lubricating the joints and reducing inflammation in all parts of the body. Moderate use f the oil is good for patients suffering from respiratory problems and stomach tissue irritation. Inhalation of the black cumin seed oil is good for people suffering from asthma attacks. The oil can also be used as a nose drop, which is one of the many forms of black cumin seed oil, and lower the severity and frequency of the asthma attacks which in turn can be life saving. The an-inflammatory effects can also work for people without asthma also. It can help the immune system respond accurately to allergens. It works perfectly fine against the allergic reactions like skin inflammation, rashes, hives, stomach upset, chest tightness and other common allergic responses.
Skin Health
Black cumin seed oil has fatty acids and antioxidants present in it which is beneficial for skin health in many ways. It moisturises the skin by providing a protection which locks in hydration, get rid of bacterial infections, prevents environmental stress, boosts the growth of healthy new cells and even improves the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes. It enhances the immune system and its antibacterial effects are well known. The oil is used to prevent serious infections like MRSA and autoimmune diseases which is not common for many immune boosting remedies. The ability of the oil to protect the immune system is unique and it does this without increasing the systems attack on the body which is unusual. It is very popular among people with autoimmune conditions. Black cumin oil can fight off many different strains of bacteria, including salmonella, E. coli, listeria, staph and MRSA, all types of bacteria known to cause dangerous infections. MRSA in particular is a strain of bacteria thats very difficult to treat with conventional medicine; and its been plaguing hospitals and nursing homes around the world because ordinary staph infections are becoming resistant to generic antibiotics due to overuse. But thanks to Black cumin seed oil has the ability to kill it and the ability of the oil has been proven in scientific studies. For internal bacterial infections, black cumin oil can be added to a drink like herbal tea, and for a skin infection, you can apply itdirectly to skin.
Studies show that the black cumin seed oil can help prevent Type 1 andtype2 diabetes. The oil boosts the pancreatic function and regenerates beta cells that are lost over time increasing the risk of diabetes. It is good for diabetic patients and it can regularise glucose and insulin levels in the body. Black cumin seed oil has major presence of fatty acids, like oleic, myristic and palmitic acids which help to balance cholesterol levels in the body and improve blood circulation. This helps to lower the blood pressure and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, heart and even stroke. Black cumin seed oil has been used to stimulate hair growth for thousands of years. It improves the appearance of the dry and unhealthy skin and the oil can be massaged into the scalp blended with shampoos or consumes to boost the overall antioxidant and nutrient levels in the body. It is better to apply the oil topically for preventing dandruff and other skin infections because of its moisturising and antibacterial properties.
Stimulate Metabolism
By adding the healthy fats in the black cumin seed oil likelinoleicand oleic acids in your regular diet, you will be able to stimulate the metabolism, access usable energy fast and reduce fat deposition. The oil will help in passive fat burning and boost the overall energy levels making you more active and burn that extra fat. Black cumin seed oil is also said to be helpful in battling candida and fungal infections in the digestive system and on the skin. Black cumin seed oil has shown to offer many medicinal properties like Anti-bacterial, Analgesic, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Anti-hypertensive, Hypotensive and Insulin sensitizing.
Black cumin seed oil can be used for culinary purposes also. Black seeds can be toasted and sprinkled on flatbread like the naan, it can be toasted and sprinkled on bagels or biscuits, added to soups, curies and stir fries, it can be grinded and mixed with other seasonings like mustard, cumin seeds and fennel. The oil is often packaged into capsules for daily consumption and it can be bought as oil which can be applied to the skin and hair or taken by the spoonful. The oil is the most effective form to consume black cumin because oil is more concentrated that whole seeds unpressed and is more assimilated. Oil can be consumed on its own or mixed with water or juice or can also be added to warm tea like the herbal tea.
Side Effects
Black cumin seed oil does come along with some side effects like hypotension, allergic reactions, complication with pregnancy and gastrointestinal agony. Proper use of the oil along with advice from the experts should be able prevent the majority of these side effects. One of the effects of black cumin seed oil is its ability to boost smooth muscle contraction including the uterus and this can be dangerous for pregnant women. This may stimulate premature labour or increase the risk of miscarriage and hence pregnant women are not recommended to use this oil. The blood pressure lowering properties can be beneficial for heart health but if you taking any type of medicine for hypertension then combining the medicine and the oil can be dangerous. People with heart conditions should speak to their doctor before using the oil.
People who allergic to cumin or coriander are not suppose to use the black cumin seed oil. People with high sensitive skin may experience skin itchiness, redness or swelling in topical areas and lips, tongue, gums, throat and face. If any of these symptoms occur it is better to consult a doctor immediately and seek medical attention. Internal use of the oil may result in irritation in the stomach and some may suffer from nausea, vomiting, bloating, crams and other gastrointestinal problems. If any symptoms like this happen then it is better to change to any other nutrient dense oil for your natural health treatments