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Used by millions of people over thousands of years, black seed oil has tremendous health benefits and can potentially change the way Western medicine treats numerous illnesses. The power of the small black seed of the Nigella sativa plant is in its principal active ingredient, thymoquinone. Let’s find out how black seed oil offers access to some truly amazing natural remedies.
The Science of Black Seed Oil
Black seed oil is currently the subject of scientific research, seeking ways to apply its beneficial properties to a wide variety of illnesses. For treating disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and depression, scientists are deploying nanotechnology to increase the therapeutic value of thymoquinone in black seed oil through the manipulation of delivery systems.
But the benefits of thymoquinone are myriad, owing to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor capabilities. Currently, research is uncovering black seed oil’s ability to prevent COVID infection and the development of tumors. Thymoquinone may also eventually play a role in the prevention of the HIV virus.
As science begins to reveal the full potential of black seed oil and its numerous applications for human health, this small black seed is proving itself to be an indispensable presence in your home medicine cabinet. So, let’s look at some natural remedies with black seed oil, addressing common health problems.
Skin Conditions
Black seed oil offers antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the influence of conditions like eczema, vitiligo, acne, and psoriasis. But black seed oil also offers tremendous benefits for skin and hair health whether or not you have a skin condition. With skincare now benefitting from the science of nutricosmetics, the support of an ingestible supplement is becoming an increasingly popular way to feed your beauty from within. But you can use it topically to treat specific skin conditions.
Black seed oil has incredible power to reduce key symptoms like redness, itching, and swelling. It can also reduce dry, flaky skin. To use black seed oil topically:
- Test a drop of oil on a patch of skin to gauge sensitivity. If your skin reacts, dilute the oil with a neutral oil, or infuse a skin lotion with two or three drops to rub into the affected skin once daily.
- Warm 2 or 3 drops of black seed oil in the palm of your hand, gently patting it into the affected area. Don’t rub the inflamed skin. It will cause further irritation. Do this once a day.
- Give your skin a nourishing treat with just a drop of black seed oil warmed in your palm and gently applied as part of our beauty routine.
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Preventing Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome might be described as the perfect human health storm. This condition gives rise to some of the deadliest conditions faced by modern humans. Metabolic Syndrome usually includes the following indicators: abnormal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood pressure, and midsection fat/obesity. The Syndrome, if left unchecked, can lead to heart attack, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.
A review of clinical trials of black seed oil showed that administering it in concert with a variety of other substances served to decrease symptoms. While more research is needed, initial research indicates the efficacy of black seed oil in treating indicators of the syndrome.
But another study suggests that metabolic syndrome can be prevented entirely with a daily regimen of black seed oil. In a sample of 55 people, black seed oil was shown to reduce blood pressure, overall cholesterol, and fasting blood sugar – all indicators of metabolic syndrome. This effect was seen with a daily dosage of 2.5 ml of black seed oil. In the study, participants followed the regimen for 8 weeks. In fact, there is significant research to suggest that black seed oil may prevent type 2 diabetes.
In combination with a healthy diet and exercise, black seed oil reduces your chances of developing this disorder, which can lead to life-threatening illnesses. Prevention is rooted in making healthier lifestyle choices.
Cancer
Thymoquinone is the powerful agent in black seed oil that’s provoking the attention of cancer researchers. While peer-reviewed research into this effect is scarce, thymoquinone is making waves due to the nature of thymoquinone, which is a phytochemical.
Phytochemicals in plants are bioactive compounds and this one can stop the growth of some cancer cells. In some cancers (for example, melanoma) it can also kill cancerous cells. For breast cancer, black seed oil has been shown to increase the efficacy of certain cancer-treating drugs.
Emerging Promise
As scientific exploration into the applications of black seed oil continues, it’s anticipated that more data will emerge to underscore the promise of this oil extracted from the small black seed of the Nigella sativa plant.
Today the efficacy of thymoquinone is being actively explored for the inhibition of cancer cell growth and the fortification of the immune system. As Western medical science catches up with the ancient wisdom of folk medicine, now’s the time to make black seed oil a staple in your medicine chest.
