Health Benefits of Black Seed Oil

Black seed oil, derived from the plant Nigella sativa, has innumerable benefits to its credit. It is a natural remedy for a wide range of health issues like headaches, inflammation, high blood pressure, back pain, etc. 

Studies have shown that black seed oil provides health and cosmetic benefits. Thymoquinone, the pivotal component of the black seed, is responsible for these benefits. Let’s explore what black seed oil has to offer you when it comes to your well-being.

Benefits of Black Seed Oil

Both topical and oral use of black seed oil is recommended. The various black seed oil benefits are given below:

1. Good for Acne

The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of black seed oil make it an ideal remedy for acne. A review indicated that persons who consistently applied a lotion made from black seed oil to their skin topically had lesser acne lesions than those who didn’t. Also, a gel made from black seed oil, when applied twice daily for 60 days, considerably reduced acne breakouts.

2. May Help Treat Psoriasis

Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory condition indicated by scaly red patches on the skin, can be treated with black seed oil according to some studies. An investigation made on animals indicated that black seed oil, when applied to the skin, reduced psoriasis symptoms in rats. 

Though the research on black seed oil on humans is limited, it is indicated that a herbal cream made out of black seed oil combined with other ingredients like olive oil, tea tree oil, cocoa butter, and Vitamins A and B12 had some effect on humans as well. The severity of psoriasis was reduced to the extent of 75% in the affected area treated with the herbal cream.

3. Helps Healing Wounds

Thymoquinone, a compound found in black seed oil stimulates tissue growth and helps wound healing. Studies on animals showed that thymoquinone was an effective treatment for excisions, diabetic wounds, and burns owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also indicated that black seed oil accelerated the wound healing process. However, more research is required to establish similar black seed oil benefits in humans.

4. Beneficial for Hair Health

Black seed oil is a key component in many hair care products including shampoos and hair care masks. The recommendation of black seed oil for hair can be attributed to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It is claimed that black seed oil benefits hair by increasing its volume and making it smooth and shiny. However, more research is required to validate this claim.

5. May Aid in Vitiligo Treatment

Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes loss of pigmentation. Pigmentation in the hands, face and genital region improved on the continuous application of a cream made out of black seed oil for six months. The black seed oil benefits for vitiligo treatment could be due to its ability to spread melanin within the skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives the skin and hair their natural colour.

6. Helps Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is a risk factor for several chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Reviews have shown that black seed benefits in reducing several inflammatory markers while increasing blood levels of antioxidants.

7. May Promote Weight Loss

Though it is not evident how black seed benefits weight loss, it was seen that persons who consumed black seed along with a low-calorie diet, noticed a reduction in body weight as well as belly fat.

8. Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

Studies have indicated that black seed oil played an important role in stabilising blood sugar levels. It helped in improving insulin levels and blood sugar levels during fasting and post-fasting. Besides this, it was observed that it helped in improving several other markers of blood sugar management. 

Levels of haemoglobin A1C, one of the markers of the long-term blood sugar level, also improved on the consumption of black seed oil. Studies also determined that black seed oil had a better effect on sugar control than black seed powder.

9. Helps Alleviate Symptoms of Eczema

The black seed benefits include relieving symptoms of eczema. Eczema is a skin condition indicated by itchy and dry skin. Studies have shown that the effectiveness of black seed oil and betamethasone cream, a kind of corticosteroid, weighs the same in lowering the severity of hand eczema when used twice daily for a minimum of four weeks. 

Another study conducted on animals indicated that thymoquinone, the key component of black seed oil, was effective in decreasing inflammation and symptoms of eczema both when used orally or topically. Whether it works the same way in humans is yet to be established. More research is required on this angle.

10. May Help Prevent Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a bunch of conditions that could lead to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.

In a study conducted on the effectiveness of black seed oil in preventing metabolic syndrome, candidates with high blood pressure were orally given black seed oil for 8 weeks and they showed positive results. The diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL(bad) cholesterol and fasting blood sugar, the components of metabolic syndrome came down in candidates who received black seed oil treatment. 

Further studies also indicated that the metabolic syndrome was controlled by decreasing belly fat, bringing down blood sugar levels and managing cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

11. May Promote Brain Health

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases are the outcome of neuroinflammation, the inflammation of brain tissue. Since thymoquinone, the key component in black seed oil, helps in reducing inflammation it may help in reducing neuroinflammation as well as protect against cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Since the investigations were made on animals, whether it is equally effective in humans is yet to be determined.

However, the elderly who were treated with 500 mg of black seed oil capsules twice daily for 9 weeks showed significant improvement in cognitive performance including memory and focus.

Other Black Seed Oil Benefits

Black seed oil has several other benefits like:

• Helps improve potency of sperm in men diagnosed with infertility
• Helps inhbit the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

Side Effects of Black Seed Oil

Small doses of black seed oil used in recipes are well-tolerated by the majority. The safety aspect of larger doses used for long-term therapeutic purposes is yet to be established. However, short-term use of up to 3 months did not show any potential side effects. Long-term use may cause side effects like nausea and bloat.

Safety Concerns About Black Seed Oil

Some of the safety concerns of black seed oil are:

• Too much usage of black seed oil can impact the health of the kidneys. If you have any kidney issues it is recommended to consult a physician before consuming black seed oil.
• There is not enough research on the effect of black seed oil when consumed by pregnant women. So, it is better for expecting mothers to avoid the consumption of black seed oil.
• Black seed oil slows down blood clotting, lowers blood sugar levels and induces sleep in some persons. It is recommended to stop using black seed oil at least 2 weeks before surgery as it may interfere with anaesthesia and blood sugar levels. It may also increase the risk of bleeding during and post-surgery.

How to Use Black Seed Oil?

Black seed oil can be used orally as well as topically. If you are using black seed oil supplements, you can try both the liquid form as well as the pills. While picking the supplement ensure that they do not have any additives and allergens. Also, go for reputed brands whose products have scientifically-backed formulas and are clinically verified. 

Black seed oil can be used topically for skin and hair treatment. You can massage the oil into the skin or the hair as required.

Conclusion

Black seed is a herbal ingredient embedded with several cosmetic and health benefits. It is versatile, economical, and easily available at several health stores. Loaded with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties it manages blood sugar levels, promotes hair and skin health and also aids weight loss. It reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. 

Though the benefits of black seed are innumerable, the side effects like nausea and bloating that it may cause in some people cannot be ignored.