Over the last few years, the demand for all natural products has continued to grow. With the help of an ever-growing body of research, it’s become evident just how powerful nature is. No matter what ails you, chances are that there’s a nature-derived product that can help you get back to feeling and being your best. Black seed oil is no exception! Here’s what you need to know about the many health benefits of black seed oil.
Table of contents:
- What is black seed oil?
- What are the health benefits of black seed oil?
- High in antioxidants
- Reduces the risk of chronic illnesses
- Supports respiratory health
- Helps to regulate blood sugar levels
- Lowers cholesterol levels
- Healthy fatty acids
- Supports brain health
- Helps with skin issues
- Strong antibacterial properties
- Is black seed oil safe?
- How to take black seed oil?
- Want to try black seed oil? Choose Obsidian Herbal Health">
What is black seed oil?
Black seed oil is a product of the Nigella Sativa plant, which is a small flowering shrub found in Western Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. The purple or white-flowers produce fruit that contain tiny black seeds.
Black seed oil is also known as:
- Black cumin
- Black caraway
- Black onion seed
- Kalonji
- NIgella Sativa
The seeds have a long, rich history. Use of the seeds dates back to the time of the Egyptians! In fact, they were found in King Tut’s tomb, which shows just how prized and powerful these tiny seeds are.
Interested in how black seed oil can improve your health? Keep reading to learn about some of the top health benefits of black seed oil.
What are the health benefits of black seed oil?
High in antioxidants
Research has found that black seed oil is high in antioxidants, which play a crucial role in minimizing inflammation throughout the body. Antioxidants protect the cells from free radical damage, which increases the risk of all sorts of chronic health issues.
Black seed oil is especially rich in thymoquinone, which is a powerful component that protects the lungs and the liver. Ethiopian and Turkish black seed oil are the best and have the highest thymoquinone content.
Reduces the risk of chronic illnesses
Because of black seed oil’s anti-inflammatory properties, the compound may reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases. Most health problems are caused by inflammation throughout the body, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer of the lung, colon, and blood.
A study published in the Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine looked at the impact of black seed oil in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers found that patients who were given daily doses of black seed oil experienced reduced oxidative stress as well as lower levels of inflammation.
Supports respiratory health
Black seed oil is thought to be very beneficial for lung health. The compound may protect the lungs against a wide variety of conditions, including bronchial asthma. Because antioxidants reduce inflammation, and asthma is caused by airway inflammation, black seed oil can help to improve asthma symptoms.
Helps to regulate blood sugar levels
Over the years, there’s been a lot of talk about using black seed oil for weight loss. While there’s much more research needed to show a link between the two, what studies have found that the oil helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
Keeping blood sugar regulated is important to maintain your overall health and wellbeing. Unstable blood sugar levels increase the risk of heart and kidney disease. Fluctuations also impact energy levels and mood.
Lowers cholesterol levels
Millions of people struggle with high cholesterol, which is the driving factor behind many serious health issues such as heart disease and hypertension. If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol, black seed oil may be worth adding to your wellness routine.
Studies have found that black seed oil lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, which greatly reduces the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular health issues. This benefit too links back to the high antioxidant content of the oil.
Healthy fatty acids
Black seed oil is rich in heart-healthy fatty acids, such as omega 6s and omega 9s, which aren’t naturally produced by the body. Omega fatty acids offer all sorts of health benefits, including:
- Hair growth
- Skin regeneration
- Energy levels
- Mood
- Metabolism regulation
- Bone health
- Reduced risk of chronic disease
Healthy, unsaturated fats offer short- and long-term health benefits that will keep you feeling your best from the inside out.
Supports brain health
Just like any other organ in the body, the brain requires nutrients and other nourishing compounds to keep it working at its best. While research is preliminary, what we know so far is quite promising.
It’s possible that black seed oil may improve memory and focus. A small 20-person study investigated the effects of black seed oil on cognitive health and memory cognition in elderly participants.
The group that received a black seed oil capsule twice a day showed a positive impact on attention, memory, and cognition.
Helps with skin issues
If you have problematic skin, black seed oil may be able to help. According to the Journal of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, using a lotion that contains 10% black seed oil significantly reduces acne breakouts in just two months. More than two-thirds of the study participants were satisfied with the results of using black seed oil lotion.
Applying black seed oil directly to the skin reduces the incidence of psoriasis plaques as well.
The oil is also great for hydration. It can be applied directly to the scalp and hair for needed moisture, which leaves the hair softer and shinier. Black seed oil can also be used to hydrate and moisturize the skin.
Because black seed oil reduces inflammation and reduces the presence of bacteria, it plays a large role in wound healing. While the oil doesn’t stimulate collagen growth, it boosts other growth factors to encourage new skin growth.
Strong antibacterial properties
In some instances, black seed oil may be more effective than traditional antibacterial medications. In fact, the oil may be effective in treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria along with certain fungal infections, including mold and yeast.
One of the oil's active compounds, thymoquinone, has shown to be a strong antifungal agent. The oil’s antioxidant activity inhibits the production of eicosanoids in cells, which cause inflammation, redness, swelling, and pain. You can learn more about thymoquinone in black seed oil on our blog.
Is black seed oil safe?
Generally, black seed oil is safe for most people. However, it may increase the effects of medicines that are processed through the cytochrome P450 pathway, which is used by 90% of the most commonly prescribed medications. The most common drugs include blood thinners (Warfarin and Coumadin) and beta-blockers such as Lopressor.
Before adding black seed oil to your health regimen, get medical clearance from your doctor first. This is even more important if you take prescription medications that may be affected by the oil.
While black seed oil has shown to benefit liver function, taking too high of a dosage may be harmful to the liver and kidneys. If you have underlying issues with these organs, talk to your doctor to determine a dose that is safe for you.
How to take black seed oil?
There are many ways to reap the benefits of black seed oil. How you use the compound is highly dependent on the condition that you’re looking to treat. For example, if you want to use the oil to improve skin or hair health, it should be applied directly to the target area.
When using black seed oil for internal issues, such as high cholesterol or to benefit from its high antioxidant content, the compound should be ingested. Black seed oil is available in capsules, liquid, and even chewy, organic black seed oil gummies that taste great.
Want to try black seed oil? Choose Obsidian Herbal Health
There's no shortage of black seed oil supplements on the market. But if you're looking for a high quality product that is enjoyable to take, look no further than Obsidian Herbal Health!
We create deliciously chewy gummies that are formulated with Ethiopian and Turkish black seed oil, which offers the highest amount of health-boosting thymoquinone.
Our black seed oil and elderberry gummies have been clinically tested for effectiveness, which means you can buy and use them with 100% confidence. Gummies are a healthy, fun way to support your health. Order today!