Black cumin seed oil is derived from the nigella sativa plant, as it is botanically known, which is indigenous to Asia. The oil of black cumin seed also has other names, such as black caraway oil, black sesame oil, onion seed oil and roman coriander oil. More often than not, it is simply referred to as “black seed oil”, which is actually more of a description than a proper name.

However, more than just its name, black cumin seed organic oil contains numerous medicinal properties that make it such a potent oil which can help alleviate so many health problems, without any side effects! In fact, the potency of the oil is genuinely amazing that it boggles the mind of most Americans because they have never heard of it before!

Many health experts actually claim that the oil is indeed a true panacea, as it can help cure virtually everything. Read on to find out more!

Health Benefits of Black Cumin Seed Organic Oil:

1. Helps in Cancer Prevention

Black cumin seed oil contains an active ingredient called thymoquinone, which is well known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. It acts as a free radical scavenger, combating oxidative stress and free radical damages as well as preserves antioxidant enzymes in the body.

Thymoquinone, according to a 2012 study published in Biochemical Pharmacology, has been investigated in tumor xenograft mice models for colon, prostate, pancreatic and lung cancer. The researchers found that a combination of this active ingredient and conventional chemotherapeutic drugs could actually reduce greater therapeutic effect and reduce the toxicity of the conventional chemotherapeutic drugs.

This is because thymoquinone exhibited anticancer effects through its different modes of action which includes anti-proliferation, apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest and many more which overall helps to curb and inhibit the growth and subsequent spread of cancer cell lines.

Another 2006 study published in Experimental Oncology also found how thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone (a kin to thymoquinone), exhibited statistically significant cytotoxic activity in the mice test subjects and resulted in a 52% decrease in the tumor cells.

2. Promotes Liver Health

Black cumin seed oil also augments the health of the liver, as supported by a 2013 study published in European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. Treatment with black seed oil actually helped to alleviate liver oxidative stress markers and enhanced hepato-renal protection mechanism, reduced disease complications as well as delayed its progression.

As such, if you are suffering from any liver problems, complications or just want to prevent your liver from incurring any damages or diseases, then try using black cumin oil! This is especially useful, considering how the liver is probably one of the most important organs in the body as it is primarily responsible for the myriad detoxification processes within the body.

3. Helps in Diabetes Levels

Black cumin seed oil is also widely believed to be able to manage type-1 and type-2 diabetes levels. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism found that the extract is beneficial for diabetic individuals and those with glucose intolerance.

It stimulates glucose induced secretion of insulin from beta-cells in the pancreas, thus improving glucose tolerance as efficiently as metformin! However, what is more impressive is that it has not shown significant adverse side effects and has very low toxicity.

4. Helps Promote Weight Loss

Black cumin seed oil also helps to promote weight loss and prevent weight gain, as evidenced by a 2013 journal study published in Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders. The study concluded with black cumin seed as one of the potent plant extracts to exhibit satisfactory anti-obesity effects.

This is because it is ultimately an anti-inflammatory agent that is known to help people lose weight in the same way it helps diabetic patients. It specifically targets appetite levels, glucose absorption in the intestine, blood glucose levels, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels.

5. Promotes Skin Health

Black cumin seed oil has been known to benefit the skin by promoting and inhibiting melanin production, thus stimulating healing effects on the skin. This is especially useful for reducing the appearance of scars on the skin and thus promoting a smoother complexion, without having virtually any side effects!

6. Helps Combat MRSA Infections

Black cumin seed oil is a strong antifungal and antibacterial agent, thanks to the presence of thymoquinone and thymol in the oil. When tested, these active ingredients showed amazing inhibitory activity towards the pathogens and bacterial strains chosen. However, what is most probably important is that black cumin seed oil also helps to combat the Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacterial strain.

This bacteria is especially harmful and it is commonly found in hospitals and nursing homes as ordinary staph infections are becoming increasingly resistant to normal antibiotic agents. This puts individuals at risks because it can complicate invasive procedures like surgeries, more so for elderly people due to their weakened immunity.

However, black cumin seed oil has been shown to exhibit potent antibacterial activity towards this particular bacterial strain as well! A 2008 study published in the Journal of Ayub Medical College found that all tested strains of MRSA were sensitive to the black cumin seed extract, thus indicating that it has inhibitor effects on MRSA.

7. Promotes Hair Health

In addition to its numerous health benefits, black cumin seed oil is also known to be able to strengthen the hair at its roots and follicles as well as promotes hair growth and reduces the occurrence of hair loss. This thus helps you to achieve stronger and fuller hair. Possibly due to the presence of strong antimicrobial compounds and antioxidants, black cumin oil can therefore be your go-to natural hair aid remedy.

Besides strengthening your hair and preventing hair loss, it also helps to irritating scalp conditions like flakiness and kills head lice due to its antibacterial nature.

How to Use Black Cumin Seed Oil?

Indeed, black cumin seed oil is a powerful oil which can be used in a variety of ways to reap its benefits. Below are some common ways!

• Internally: You can add a drop of the oil into a glass of water, cup of tea or into your smoothie. Stir well to ensure proper dilution and proceed to drink the mixture so as to reap its potent internal benefits.

• Topically: Black cumin seed oil is considered to be a carrier oil so it is safe to be applied directly onto the skin. However, you can also dilute it with other carrier oils like olive oil to be applied onto the scalp, or with essential oils too! You can even experiment and add a few drops of the oil into your hair care or skincare products.

Safety Precautions:

• As with all organic or essential oils, only consume the oil in small dosages.

• Please seek the advice of your doctor first before consuming the oil, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions and are under prescribed medication, because the components in the oil might interact with the prescribed drugs.

• Ensure that you purchase a 100% pure, high-grade and top-quality organic black cumin seed oil that is free from harmful additives from a reliable and reputable seller.

• If you are pregnant or nursing, do check with your doctor first too if the oil is safe to be used.

• Perform a skin patch test first if you wish to apply the oil directly onto your skin/hair to ensure you do not have any sensitive or allergic reactions.

References:

Woo CC, et al., “Thymoquinone: potential cure for inflammatory disorders and cancer” Biochemical Pharmacology (2012); 83(4)

Ivankovic S, et al., “The antitumor activity of thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone in vitro and in vivo”, Experimental Oncology (2006); 28(3)

Hamed MA, El-Rigal NS, Ali SA, “Effects of black seed oil on resolution of hepato-renal toxicity induced bybromobenzene in rats”, European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences (2013); 17(5)

Murli L. Mathur, et al., “Antidiabetic Properties of a Spice Plant Nigella sativa”, Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism (2011); 1(1)

Hasani-Ranjbar S, Jouyandeh Z, Abdollahi M, “A systematic review of anti-obesity medicinal plants - an update”, Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders (2013); 12(1)

Hannan A, et al., “Antibacterial activity of Nigella sativa against clinical isolates of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus”, Journal of Ayub Medical College (2008); 20(3)