Black Seed Oil is becoming one of the most popular natural remedies in the herbal world. Although, some of us haven't heard of black seed oil and the wonderful benefits of black seed oil, we can all agree that natural remedies have been around longer than any traditional medicine. In are busy life we sometime forget the importance of these remedies, from apple cider vinegar, the hair wellness properties of castor oil and coconut oil, and even the anti- inflammation benefits of turmeric and aloe vera. Black seed oil has been around for thousands of years, making it one of the oldest and compelling remedies you can use for optimal health.
Many doctors, especially functional medicine and naturopathic doctors, are finding success in combining conventional medical treatments with natural ways to support the body. One of these age-old remedies that has gained recent popularity is Black Seed Oil or Nigella Sativa.
So What Is Black Seed Oil ?
Black Cumin Seed Oil (also often called Black Coriander Oil or simply Black Oil) comes from the Nigella Sativa plant that is native to Asia. Recent studies on this incredibly powerful seed oil show it may be helpful in combating super bugs like MRSA or h.pylori and in cancer patients.
There are tons of historical accounts of the usage of Black Seed. From Cleopatra using black seed oil for its superior hair and skin properties, or even finding black seed oil in the tomb of King Tut dating back over 3000 years ago. The prophet Muhammad stated that black seed oil cures all except death.
Any Research On Black Seed?
There are well over 600 studies showing the effects of black cumin seed oil and there is promising research on the use of black cumin seed oil for dealing with autoimmune disease (which is why I’ve been experimenting with it). Its active compounds, crystalline nigellone and thymoquinone, are the most studied, but it also contains: myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, proteins and vitamins B1, B2,B3, calcium, folate, iron, copper, zinc and phosphorous.
A study conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College researchers set out to determine just how potent black seed oil against some of these superbugs and pared it against several antibiotics such as Amoxicillin, Gatifloxacin and Tetracycline. According to the study, “Out of 144 strains tested, most of which were resistant to a number of antibiotics, 97 were inhibited by the oil of black cumin!”
Next to oil of oregano, few things on the planet can boast this type of potency to microbes! The study uncovered that it was especially effective against multidrug resistant strains of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus.
The key to understanding why black seed oils benefits the body in this way is because it is rich in 3 key natural chemicals: thymoquinone (TQ), thymohydroquinone (THQ) and thymol.
So How Can Black Seed Help Me?
Black seed oil has shown to offer numerous medicinal properties, including:
Anti-bacterial
Analgesic
Anti-fungal
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Antispasmodic
Antiviral
Anti-hypertensive
Insulin sensitizing
Studies have shown that black seed oil can be used for:
Cancer prevention
Multiple scientific studies have been conducted on black seed oil related to a variety of different cancers, including colon cancer, lung cancer, brain tumor cells and more.
One 2012 study out of the National University of Singapore, found that the “anti-tumor effects of thymoquinone have also been investigated in tumor xenograft mice models for colon, prostate, pancreatic and lung cancer. The combination of thymoquinone and conventional chemotherapeutic drugs could produce greater therapeutic effect as well as reduce the toxicity of the latter.”
Cell studies have also discovered that black seed oil compares to popular chemotherapy agent in the suppression of colon cancer growth, but with a much higher safety profile.
In 2014, researchers from Saudi Arabia reported that the oil was able to significantly reduce the population of living cancer cells and altered cellular morphology. They discovered that the higher concentration of the oil that was used to treat the cancer cells, the greater level of cell death, and ultimately concluded that the data showed black cumin oil significantly reduced the viability of human lung cancer cells.
Some health experts also recommend using black cumin oil for natural protection against the dangers of radiation, used in conjunction with conventional treatments.
Weight loss
The Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders published a study last June systemically reviewing the literature for plants that have anti-obesity properties and discovered that black seed oil was amongst the most effective natural remedies on the planet.
Not traditionally believed to treat obesity, Nigella sativa is a marvelous anti-inflammatory agent that is known to help people lose weight in the same way that it helps diabetics. Specifically, by decreasing these weight gain triggers, black seed oil has helped millions shed excess weight:
Appetite
Glucose absorption in the intestine
Liver gluconeogenesis
Blood glucose levels
Cholesterol
Triglycerides
Treating type 1 and 2 diabetes
According to an article in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, black cumin oil “causes gradual partial regeneration of pancreatic beta-cells, increases the lowered serum insulin concentrations, and decreases the elevated serum glucose.” The research on mice suggests that black cumin oil can prevent the development of type 1 diabetes, and increase the insulin sensitivity of liver cells, which helps to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Improve digestion
As mentioned, Hippocrates himself was said to have used black cumin oil to improve digestive ailments. The seeds are considered to be carminative, which means they aid digestion and can help to decrease bloating, gas and stomach cramps. If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), black cumin oil may be very beneficial as it’s been shown to have antispasmodic effects on the smooth muscle of the intestine. Other conditions that cause intestinal cramp-type pain may be relieved as well.
Longer, stronger hair
There is a reason that Cleopatra used black cumin oil to achieve such gorgeous, long locks. It’s known to not only strengthen the hair, but to encourage growth and even address hair loss. It isn’t yet known as to how it works, but it’s thought that it likely has to do with its anti-microbial compounds and powerful antioxidants that are known to strengthen hair follicles. As it is also an anti-inflammatory, it’s excellent for soothing scalp conditions like flakiness. It also helps to kill fungal and viral infections, so if you’re battling a problem with lice, you can benefit by using black cumin oil too.
If you’re suffering from hair loss, or baldness, you can apply black cumin oil directly to bald spots, leave it on for 30 minutes and then rinse. Another option is to combine a 1:1 mixture of extra-virgin oil and black cumin oil, and then rub it directly on balding areas.
Skin
Produced in the retina, choroid and epidermis, melanin are pigments that protect the skin from damage. You probably are most family with it being the main chemical responsible for giving our eyes and skin their individual color. Known to promote and inhibit melanogenesis (melanin production), black seed oil benefits on the skin and other cells are profoundly healing.
For example, in a recent study conducted by Iranian researchers, Nigella saliva was found as effective as the skin cream Betamethasone in improving quality of life and decreasing severity of hand eczema.When you consider that black seed oil has virtually no side effects, the benefits of Nigella, in fact, far exceed medical intervention!
Allergy and asthma relief
A number of studies have shown that black cumin oil offers anti-asthmatic effects – and, depending on the cause of asthma, it can sometimes be even more effective than traditional, conventional treatments. These same properties also make it beneficial for relieving allergies.
A 2012 study that looked at the therapeutic efficacy of black cumin oil as a treatment approach for allergic rhinitis, found it to be highly effective. After six weeks of using the oil as nose drops (applied 2 drops nasally (one in each nostril) 3 times a day), all of the patients who had experienced mild allergy symptoms became totally symptom free, while 68.7% of moderate suffers became symptom free and 25% noted improvements. Of severe sufferers, 58.3% became symptom free and 25% were improved. The biggest improvements were seen in nasal drop, followed by nasal itching, sneezing, congestion and improvement of sleep. The study authors concluded that using black cumin oil as nose drops were effective for treating allergic rhinitis, with only minimal side effects (nasal dryness was reported by 17.8% of participants).
The benefits experienced were likely to be due to the effects of the black cumin oil on immune response, as well as its antihistamine effects The scientific research backs up some of the ancient uses of the oil that are still practiced across the globe today.
Wrapping It Up
Black cumin seed oil is an amazing natural herbal supplement that has been used for thousands of years. What most of our ancestors refereed to as the miracle drug, just a potent natural oil. It is considered safe for culinary use (or in similar amounts-no more than a few teaspoons a day).
Use common sense. Black seed oil is a food, but a nutritionally potent one. You wouldn’t drink a gallon of coconut oil or eat five pounds of liver in one sitting (I hope), so consume black seed oil as you would any food- in moderate and healthy amounts. If you have an medical condition or pregnant/nursing you should check with a doctor before using this or any substance.
Source:Benefits of blackseed oil
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