Off The Record
It’s Been Said That Black Seeds Can Cure “Everything Except Death” – The Health Benefits of Black Seed Oil
The Nigella sativa plant’s black seed oil has been used medicinally for over two thousand years.
It is widely regarded as “the remedy for everything but death” and is grown in Asia, Pakistan, and Iran.
As modern science learns more about its possible health benefits, it is becoming more widely available as a pill supplement.
In this piece, we’ll look into the significance of taking black seed oil tablets on a regular basis and examine the science behind its purported health advantages.
Where Does Black Seed Oil Come From, and What Is It?
The Nigella sativa plant, native to Asia, Pakistan, and Iran, is the source of black seed oil.
Records of the seeds’ use in traditional medicine date all the way back to the Egyptian, Greek, and Islamic civilizations. They’ve been used historically for anything from respiratory to digestive to skin problems.
Black seed oil’s beneficial effects on health can be traced back to its special combination of bioactive components.
They include thymoquinone (TQ), thymohydroquinone (THQ), and thymol, with the former two being the most well-known.
Many of black seed oil’s beneficial effects can be attributed to the chemicals it contains, which have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial capabilities. (1)
The number of studies examining black seed oil itself is small.
Most of the evidence for its efficacy as a treatment comes from anecdotes that have been passed down through the generations. It has shown some degree of efficacy in treating certain conditions.
We prefer the Healths Harmony Black Seed Oil capsules since they lack the harshness of the oil in its cold-pressed form. A lot of thymoquinone is produced as well.
To ensure the greatest quality, they manufacture these vegan, non-GMO softgels in a GMP-certified facility right here in the USA. The two piece capsules are filled with their precision formula in the presence of pure nitrogen, to keep oxygen out and ensure your black seed oil remains pure and unspoiled.
Type 2 Diabetes
Black seed oil may be useful for those with Type 2 Diabetes, according to a review published in 2017.
In their experiment, people consumed either black seed oil, black seed tea, or the seeds themselves.
Fasting blood glucose levels were shown to be lower among those who consumed the oil.
It should be stressed, however, that these individuals were still taking their diabetes meds alongside making positive changes to their lifestyle.
Multiple studies have shown that this oil is effective at lowering fasting blood sugar. Once again, the vast majority of these were used in addition to standard diabetes medication. (2)
Allergies
Millions of individuals all around the world suffer from allergies and nasal inflammation.
Black seed oil has been demonstrated to alleviate nasal symptoms like stuffiness, nasal drainage, itchiness, and sneezing.
It has been shown to have analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, it can effectively treat sinusitis and sinus irritation. (3, 4)
Rheumatoid arthritis
Some research suggests that black seed oil can help reduce the discomfort associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Patients consuming the oil in pill form reported fewer arthritis symptoms, lower levels of inflammatory markers in their blood, and fewer swollen joints after one month. (5)
Obesity Risk Factors
Obesity is associated with a wide range of negative health outcomes. Nigella sativa oil supplementation with a reduced-calorie diet increased weight loss, lowered waist circumference, and decreased lipid levels in a trial of obese women.
Another study indicated that exercising regularly amplifies these advantages. Researchers also noted a decrease in cholesterol levels as a result of exercise. (7)
Boosts Immunity
Supplementing with black seed oil capsules every day will help keep your immune system strong, which is why doing so is highly recommended.
Recent studies have shown that the active chemicals in black seed oil can increase the number of certain immune cells. In turn, this boosts the immune system’s ability to fight off illness.
Anti-inflammatory Effects
Heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes can all be attributed in part to chronic inflammation.
Many studies have shown that black seed oil’s active components, especially thymoquinone, can reduce inflammation by blocking the production of chemicals that cause inflammation.
Taking black seed oil capsules on a regular basis may be useful for inflammation management and lowering the risk of related health problems.
Ability to Fight Free Radicals
Damage to cells and even the development of illness can result from oxidative stress, which is triggered when antioxidants and free radicals are out of whack.
The antioxidants in black seed oil can help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. Taking black seed oil capsules on a regular basis has been shown to improve health by strengthening the body’s natural defenses against oxidative stress.
Supports Respiratory Health
Asthma and bronchitis are only two of the respiratory illnesses that have long been treated using black seed oil.
Its bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory properties aid in decreasing inflammation in the airways and enhancing lung function.
Black seed oil capsules have the potential to improve respiratory health and alleviate respiratory symptoms when taken regularly.
Promotes Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Recent studies have shown promising results for using black seed oil as a dietary supplement for people with diabetes or at high risk for developing the disease.
Black seed oil’s hypoglycemic effects come from its capacity to increase insulin sensitivity and promote insulin secretion by the pancreas.
Taking black seed oil capsules on a regular basis has been shown to help maintain normal blood sugar levels and lessen the likelihood of diabetic complications.
Maintains a Healthy Heart
Studies have demonstrated that black seed oil is beneficial for heart health because of its cardioprotective properties.
Its anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, and lipid-lowering effects may help lessen the likelihood of cardiovascular disease.
Black seed oil capsules have the potential to improve respiratory health and alleviate respiratory symptoms when taken regularly.
How to Choose the Best Black Seed Oil Capsules
The market is flooded with black seed oil capsules, making it difficult to pick the best one. If you want to make a smart choice and get the most out of your supplement, here are some guidelines for choosing black seed oil capsules.
Ingredient Quality
Quality ingredients are crucial to the success of black seed oil capsules.
To get the most out of your supplements, you should find those that employ 100% pure Nigella sativa seed oil.
In an effort to reduce production costs, certain manufacturers may use superfluous additives in their products.
Technique of Extraction
The stability of the oil’s bioactive components is highly dependent on the extraction procedure used to acquire it from the seeds.
The ideal way to extract the oil is through cold pressing, as this process avoids the use of heat and chemicals that can damage the oil’s nutritional value.
To acquire the most potent and pure black seed oil, look for a product that says it has been cold-pressed.
Thymoquinone Content, Standardized
Many of black seed oil’s purported health advantages can be traced back to its major active component, thymoquinone.
Look for supplements with standardized thymoquinone content between 1% and 3%; this information should be listed prominently on the product’s label.
A standardized product guarantees that each tablet contains the same amount of the active component, leading to more reliable outcomes.
Putting Things Away
Light, heat, and air can all cause black seed oil to oxidize and lose its medicinal value.
Pick an item that comes in a dark, nontransparent container, such as one made of glass or premium, nonreactive plastic.
Keep your black seed oil capsules out of direct sunlight and at room temperature to maintain their potency.
Size of Servings and Dosage
When taking black seed oil capsules, be mindful of the recommended serving size.
The concentration of a product and its intended health benefits can affect the recommended daily dosage. Most people should be fine taking between 500 and 1000 mg of black seed oil daily. However, before beginning any new supplement, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor.
This is especially important if you have any preexisting health concerns or are currently taking any drugs.
Third-Party Testing and Certifications
Look for black seed oil capsules that have received independent verification of their safety and efficacy. Having the supplement’s purity, efficacy, and safety validated by an independent lab is reassuring. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), United States Pharmacopeia (USP), and NSF International certifications are additional signs of a product’s high quality and safety.
If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to select the best black seed oil pills for your needs and start reaping the health benefits of using them regularly.
Sources used:
- “Review on Clinical Trials of Black Seed (Nigella sativa ) and Its Active Constituent, Thymoquinone.” PubMed. Alireza Tavakkoli, et al. September 2017.
- “Effect of Nigella sativa oil supplement on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.” Wiley. Akram Kooshki, et al. June 8,2020.
- “Herbal treatment of allergic rhinitis: the use of Nigella sativa” Science Direct. Soheila Nikakhlagh MD., September–October 2011.
- “Natural therapeutic approach of Nigella sativa (Black seed) fixed oil in management of Sinusitis.” Science Direct. Mohaddese Mahboubi. March 2018.
- “Immunomodulatory Effect of Nigella sativa Oil on T Lymphocytes in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.” Taylor Francis Online. Sorayya Kheirouri, et al. April 21, 2016.
- “Effects of Nigella sativa oil with a low-calorie diet on cardiometabolic risk factors in obese women: a randomized controlled clinical trial.” Royal Society of Chemistry. Reza Mahdavi, et al. 2015.
- “The Effects of 8-week Nigella sativa Supplementation and Aerobic Training on Lipid Profile and VO2 max in Sedentary Overweight Females.” NCBI. Esmail Farzaneh, et al. 2014.
- “Phytochemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutic uses of black seed (Nigella sativa).” Science Direct. Wesam Kooti, et al. October 2016.
- “Comparative study of Nigella Sativa and triple therapy in eradication of Helicobacter Pylori in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.” Saudi Journal of Gastro Enterology. Eyad M Salem, et al. 2010.
- “Effect of Topical Application of Black Seed Oil on Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-like Lesions in the Thin Skin of Adult Male Albino Rats.” American Association for Anatomy. Ebtsam F. Okasha, et al. September 19, 2017.
- “Review: Nigella sativa (Prophetic Medicine): A Review.” NCBI. Hira Ijaz, et al. January 2017.
- “Allergic contact dermatitis from black cumin (Nigella sativa) oil after topical use.” Wiley. Alexander Steinmann, et al. April 2006
