Why This Ancient Remedy Has Stood the Test of Time
July 16th, 2018
By Dr. Joseph Mercola
Contributing writer for Wake Up World
The use of medicinal plants to help treat various diseases is a practice that’s as old as mankind. For example, the Egyptian medical book known as the Ebers Papyrus, written in 1550 B.C., details the use of 700 different plant species for therapeutic purposes. Mentioned plants include pomegranate, garlic, willow, coriander, juniper and onion. During the seventh century, Slavic people used cucumber, nettle and yarrow to help fight against various insect bites.1
Another example that has stood the test of time is black seed, which comes from the Nigella sativa (N. sativa) plant. In Indian Ayurveda and Unani traditional medicine, black seed figures greatly in their practice. For Muslims, black seed is known as the “Habbatul barakah” or the blessed seed. In fact, it is believed that the prophet Mohammed considered it to be a “remedy for all diseases except death.”2 One of black seed’s most popular applications is as an herbal oil.
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Black Seed Oil: Why This Ancient Remedy Has Stood the Test of Time
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July 16th, 2018
By Dr. Joseph Mercola
Contributing writer for Wake Up World
The use of medicinal plants to help treat various diseases is a practice that’s as old as mankind. For example, the Egyptian medical book known as the Ebers Papyrus, written in 1550 B.C., details the use of 700 different plant species for therapeutic purposes. Mentioned plants include pomegranate, garlic, willow, coriander, juniper and onion. During the seventh century, Slavic people used cucumber, nettle and yarrow to help fight against various insect bites.1
Another example that has stood the test of time is black seed, which comes from the Nigella sativa (N. sativa) plant. In Indian Ayurveda and Unani traditional medicine, black seed figures greatly in their practice. For Muslims, black seed is known as the “Habbatul barakah” or the blessed seed. In fact, it is believed that the prophet Mohammed considered it to be a “remedy for all diseases except death.”2 One of black seed’s most popular applications is as an herbal oil.
There is sometimes some confusion between the terms “black cumin,” “cumin,” and “black seed,” and there are instances when these are used interchangeably. But these are different plants. What makes it even more confusing is that black seed oil is sometimes called “black cumin seed oil.” But “black cumin” actually refers to Bunium bulbocastanum, and is not same as black seed or the N. sativa plant. To help you understand the difference between these terms, read my article “Cumin Versus Black Cumin — What’s the Difference?“
Potential Benefits of Black Seed Oil
Plenty of research has been conducted regarding the potential benefit of black seed oil. Here are some of the most notable ones:
In a study published in the International Journal of Health Sciences, researchers studied the cytoprotective effect of black seed oil in male rats.
Results show that the group of rats treated with the oil showed reduced effects of AFB1 (aflatoxin-B1), a toxin produced by the Aspergillus flavus group of fungi.3, 4
Helps manage diabetes:
In a study published from Universiti Teknologi MARA in Malaysia, researchers tested the ability of black seed oil to manage diabetes in rats.
They discovered that upon administration of the oil, all immunological parameters (serum glucose, Pan T- and B-lymphocytes and innate cell marker) were reduced while simultaneously increasing serum insulin levels.5
Controls inflammation:
Black seed oil contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may help manage certain conditions, an observation exhibited in a study published in the American Journal of Otolaryngology. Researchers noted that the oil was able to reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis in test subjects.6
Helps reduce cancer risk:
Various studies have been conducted regarding the potential anticancer benefits of black seed oil. Researchers have found that it may be helpful against these cancers:7
Colon
Pancreatic
Fibrosarcoma
Regular black seeds may also be helpful in preventing certain cancers. Studies have found that they may help reduce your risk of the following cancers:8
Liver
Lung
Breast
Blood
Cervical
Promotes healthy blood pressure:
N. sativa seeds have been traditionally used for helping relieve hypertension, and this hypothesis was tested out in a study published in Phytotherapy Research.
In a double-blind, randomized experiment, results showed that test subjects who were treated with black seed oil showed a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to those who only took placebos.9
Helps ease skin infections:
Research has shown that N. sativa seeds contain strong antibacterial properties that may help fight Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacteria that can cause a variety of topical infections.10
Historical and Culinary Uses of Black Seed Oil
The N. sativa plant has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. According to the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, its seeds and the oil were historically used to treat various disorders pertaining to the following areas:11
Respiratory system
Digestive tract
Kidney function
Liver health
Cardiovascular system
Immune system
Culinary uses of black seed oil include drizzling over salads and adding to juices or shakes. It can be taken on its own by consuming a teaspoon of it. When used for eating, remember that you should not cook the oil because heat may damage the valuable compounds.12
Black seed oil can be diffused to help with asthma attacks. A study published in the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal notes that black seeds contain anti-inflammatory properties that show promising results against asthma inflammation.13
The Composition of Black Seed Oil
Scientists have been able to isolate the various active compounds that make up black seed oil. Chief among them include:14
Thymoquinone (30 to 48 percent)
Thymohydroquinone
Dithymoquinone
P-cymene (7 to 15 percent)
Carvacrol (6 to 12 percent)
4-terpineol (2 to 7 percent)
T-anethol (1 to 4 percent)
Sesquiterpene longifolene (1 to 8 percent)
alpha-Pinene
Thymol
According to published in vitro tests, thymoquinone (often shortened to TQ) is considered a potent antioxidant. A study in Drug and Chemical Toxicology notes that TQ may be helpful in eliminating superoxide anions.15 Another study indicates that alpha-hederin, a pentacyclic triterpene saponin, has been reported to have strong potential in fighting tumor growth.16 Black seeds are also rich in various unsaturated fatty acids, including:17
Linoleic acid (50 to 60 percent)
Oleic acid (20 percent)
Eicosadienoic acid (3 percent)
Dihomolinoleic acid (10 percent)
How to Make Black Seed Oil at Home
Making homemade black seed oil is a great way of obtaining the benefits while avoiding the problems that come with commercially made oils. This also means that your stock is always fresh, since you can always make the oil whenever the need arises. The only things you need are an oil press machine and organic black seeds. Once you have both, follow this procedure:18
Procedure:
Clean and dry the black seeds to ensure that you get a pure oil.
Clean the oil press machine thoroughly to prevent contaminants from getting into the final product.
Place the oil bottle in the receptacle, as well as a container to catch the waste from the seeds.
Heat up the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then place the seeds into the funnel.
Turn on the machine, then allow it to extract the oil from the seeds.
Continue the process until your container is full.
Leave the oil to sit in a warm, dry place then allow the remnants to settle at the bottom of the bottle.
How Does Black Seed Oil Work?
Black seed oil contains different fatty acids, nutrients and active compounds that work together to benefit your health. Several studies have looked into how black seeds oil work and discovered that TQ plays a crucial role in its health benefits.
In one example published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, TQ was tested against 11 human pathogenic bacteria strains. Researchers were able to observe that TQ exhibited significant antibacterial activity, especially against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923.19 In another study, TQ has been found to be effective in fighting against fungi, most notably Candida albicans strain.20
Other studies have examined the cancer-fighting abilities of TQ. Researchers found that it induced a growth inhibition and apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells,21 as well as cytotoxicity in human cervical squamous carcinoma cells.22
Potential Side Effects of Black Seed Oil
While black seed oil may potentially benefit your health, it is not without its own side effects. A study published in Phytotherapy Research notes that topical application caused contact dermatitis in two persons. However, no adverse effects have been reported regarding internal use.23 Pregnant women may consume real black seeds as part of a healthy diet, but high doses for therapeutic applications are generally not recommended, as it may slow down or stop the uterus from contracting. Likewise, breastfeeding mothers are advised to avoid black seed oil, as there’s not much information about its effects on you and your child’s health.24
Go Ahead and Give Black Seed Oil a Try
Based on published studies, as well as thousands of years of history, it’s safe to say that black seed oil may potentially benefit your health in various ways. If you want to try it, remember that it should not be heated or you will risk damaging the beneficial compounds.
Black seed oil can be purchased online. However, what’s more important is to thoroughly review the product you’re buying and make sure it’s made from high-quality ingredients by a reputable company. Furthermore, try making your own black seed oil at home to ensure freshness at all times if you have the resources to do so.
Sources and References:
1 Pharmacognosy Review, 2012 January-June;6(11):1-5
2 Muslimah, “The Black Seed: Habbatul Baraka (the Blessed Seed)
3 International Journal of Health Sciences, 2008 July;2(2):26-44
4 PubChem, “Aflatoxin B1”
5 Universiti Teknologi Mara, January 2013
6 American Journal of Otolaryngology, 2011 Sep-Oct;32(5):402-7
7,8 African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 2011;8(5 Suppl):226-232
9 Phytotherapy Research, 2013 Dec;27(12):1849-53
10 Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 2011;14(23):1038-1046
11,14,17,20 Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2013 May;3(5):337-352
12 Paleohacks, “Black Seed Oil: Benefits, Where to Find It and How to Use It”
13 Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 2017 Dec;25(8):1130-1136
15 Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 2003 May;26(2):87-98
16 Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 2003 Mar;245(1-2):127-39
18 LEAFtv, “How to Make Kalonji Oil”
19 BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011 April 13;11:29
21 Oncology Reports, 2013 Feb;29(2):571-8
22 Toxicology In Vitro, 2011 Oct;25(7):1392-8
23 Phytotherapy Research, 2003 Apr;17(4):299-305
24 WebMD, “Black Seed”
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