Blackseed oil is produced from the seeds of Nigella sativa, a small plant native to the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Northern Africa. It’s been used in traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments for about 2000 years.
Some people call it the “panacea” for its plethora of health benefits. But what does science have to say about the matter? Let’s find out!
Black seed oil reduces bad cholesterol
Elevated levels of bad cholesterol — also known as LDL cholesterol — are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. As lipids build up in your blood vessels, their lumens narrow down, and a myriad of medical complications (like heart attacks, strokes, and gangrene) follow.
In one study on 90 obese women, taking black seed oil capsules for 3 months significantly reduced LDL (and total cholesterol) levels. These findings were replicated by another study, which was conducted on people with type 2 diabetes.
Other sources suggest that the powdered form of black seeds may boost your HDL cholesterol, which is the “good cholesterol”.
By reducing LDL cholesterol levels, black seed oil is thought to save you from a variety of health complications. However, the optimal dosage required to achieve healthy cholesterol levels is still unclear.
Black seed oil is excellent for your heart
There are several reasons for this. First, black seed oil has been demonstrated to reduce blood pressure.
Taking half a teaspoon of black seed oil for 2 months significantly reduced blood pressure levels in a study that looked at healthy adults.
High blood pressure makes the heart pump harder, which can ultimately lead to heart failure. Black seed oil may prevent this.
Then, black seed oil is a rich source of antioxidants, which help the body fight super-reactive molecules called free radicals. If left unchecked, free radicals cause cellular and DNA damage, leading to inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and heart disease.
By depleting free radicals from the body, black seed oil prevents damage to the heart (and many other organs).
Black seed oil has also been shown to reduce blood sugar levels. Increased blood sugar is an important risk factor for heart disease, as it can damage the arteries that feed the organ.
For example, in this study, researchers looked at 99 adults with type 2 diabetes. After giving them around 2 mL of black seed oil per day for 3 weeks, researchers found reduced HbA1c levels (compared to placebo).
HbA1c levels reflect blood sugar levels over a period of three months. This means black seed oil may keep your sugar in check for extended periods. However, more research about the optimal dose, dosing regimen, and indications of black seed oil for this purpose is needed.
Finally, as mentioned above, black seed oil reduces LDL levels, which is another way it protects your heart.
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Tired of sneezing? Black seed oil may help!
Black seed oil has been demonstrated to be beneficial for nasal (and paranasal sinus) allergies because of its anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, analgesic, and antioxidant properties.
For example, in a small study that looked at people with allergic rhinitis — also called hay fever — 6 weeks of black seed oil usage reduced symptoms like itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing in 90% of the subjects. For many subjects, their symptoms went completely away.
The subjects in this study put back seed oil drops in their nose. Before doing so, make sure to talk to your doctor about whether your condition warrants it.
Black seed oil may be beneficial for a variety of skin conditions
These include:
- Acne — a very common skin condition in adolescents and young adults
- Psoriasis — a chronic skin condition characterized by red, scaly plaques on the skin
- Eczema — allergic reaction of the skin
- Dry skin
But you must seek a doctor’s advice for each of these conditions. Black seed oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that may help with skin conditions, but it’s not the primary treatment for any condition. It may only be used to augment medical treatment.
Also, some people apply black seed oil to their hair for better hydration. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that black seed oil has any benefits for hair.
Looking to reduce your weight? Try black seed oil.
Obesity is a major risk factor for many diseases, including type 2 diabetes and ischemic heart disease.
Black seed oil has been shown to reduce body mass index (BMI) via an unclear mechanism. While more research is needed on the safety and efficacy of long-term usage of black seed oil, it may help you manage your weight if you have:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome
Some other benefits of black seed oil
Although the scientific evidence for black seed oil’s effectiveness here is not as solid, here are some more conditions it may help you with:
- Rheumatoid arthritis — it may reduce joint inflammation and swelling
- Cancer — due to antioxidant effects as well as the presence of thymoquinone, which may inhibit cancer cell growth
- Male infertility — research looking at infertile rats (and humans!) suggests black seed oil may help sperm cells swim faster and increase their number
Finally, some studies suggest black seed oil may improve liver and kidney function. However, scientists are not exactly sure why and to what extent this occurs. Therefore, it’s probably not wise to treat bad kidneys and liver with black seed oil at present.
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How to use black seed oil?
The easiest way to use black seed oil is in a supplement. Both liquid and pill forms are available. Many beauty products are supplemented with black seed oil but if you don’t want to go that way, you can simply apply the oil to your skin for its skin benefits.
If supplements are not your thing, look in your kitchen and you may find black seeds. They go by different names, including:
- kalonji
- nigella
- Roman coriander
- black caraway
- black cumin
You can try sprinkling black seeds on curry, bread, and pickles. At present, there is no daily recommended dose for black seed oil due to lack of research. Some sources suggest a dose between 200 mg and 2000 mg a day is safe to take.
However, you should know that several side effects — like bloating and impaired kidney function — have been associated with black seed oil.
Black seed oil can also interact with drugs like warfarin and beta-blockers, leading to dangerous consequences.
If you’re on medication — or suffer from a medical condition — it’s best to start black seed oil supplementation after your doctor okays it!
