Black Seed Oil

Black seed oil is a substance that is extracted from the seeds of Nigella sativa, a plant that is native to Egypt, the sub-continent and Asia. Black seed and black seed oil have long been used as herbal medicine for skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, acne and dry skin, allergies, colds and more serious health conditions, such as asthma, arthritis, cancer and diabetes. 

In one eight-week study out of Iran, women took black seed oil or a placebo while following a calorie-restricted diet. By the end, the black seed oil group experienced greater reductions in weight and waist circumference. That said, it's not a magic bullet. "Most of its weight loss benefits would likely be indirect," says Pedre. "Inflammation is a key driver in obesity, for instance, so the anti-inflammatory properties of thymoquinone could support normal levels of inflammation and therefore aid weight loss. But I wouldn't consider it a primary weight loss aid." Black seed oil may help manage symptoms of seasonal allergies. In one randomized, controlled study, patients with allergic rhinitis (aka hay fever) who were given black seed oil daily experienced a positive impact in nasal congestion, nasal itching, runny nose, and sneezing attacks within the first two weeks of treatment. These results are likely due to the fact that thymoquinone acts as an antihistamine, says Pedre.

The efficacy of black cumin oil in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was also evaluated and data from 40 female patients diagnosed with RA who took N. sativa oil capsules (500 mg) twice daily exhibited improvement in disease activity score compared to placebo (P < 0.05). Correspondingly, a noticeable improvement was displayed in number of inflamed joints, incidence of morning stiffness, and disease activity after the consumption of black cumin [98].

Some medications for high blood pressure include nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), diltiazem (Cardizem), isradipine (DynaCirc), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), and others. Sedative medications (CNS depressants)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Black Cumin Seed Oil

Even with the advancement in the management of diabetes mellitus, exploration for innovative agents continues since the existing synthetic agents have numerous limitations [44]. The administration of black cumin seed for one month to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats displayed a significant reduction of fasting plasma glucose, serum MDA, interleukin-6, and immunoglobulin A, G, and M while substantial increment of endogenous antioxidant enzymes; SOD, Glutathione-S-transferase, and catalase expression were noticed. The histology of pancreas in N. sativa treated group also revealed an improvement in the pancreatic β-cells degeneration, inflammation, and congestion as compared to diabetic control [45]. The combination of administration of N. sativa and Cinnamomum cassia extracts (NSCCe) to experimentally STZ-induced diabetic rats also showed significantly stabilized serum glucose concentrations, lipid profile, and renal function parameters as compared to the diabetic control. Significant effects were observed in animals that received combined extract and metformin on these parameters. A substantial reversal of the histopathological pancreatic cell injury was also observed in animals receiving the concomitant extracts of NSCCe [46]. The marked antidiabetic activity upon three-month supplementation of N. sativa (2 g/day) along with oral antidiabetic agent in type 2 DM patients has also been reported. In this study, N. sativa received group showed significant reduction of fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and TBARBs, while marked elevation of the total antioxidant capacity, SOD, and glutathione levels were noted [47].

Most people think black seed oil has a very strong, bitter taste. That’s probably why many mix it with sugar or honey. You can buy it in health food stores and online in liquid and capsule form. Lotions, makeup, and other beauty products also use it. N. sativa is one of the world’s most common medicinal plants. So it’s generally safe. But large amounts of black seed oil have caused liver and kidney damage in rats. It also may slow blood clotting time and make bleeding more likely. Nutrition Information Potential Health Benefits of Black Seed & Black Seed Oil Potential Risks of Black Seed & Black Seed Oil