What exactly is this magical black seed oil buzzing in wellness lately?
Also known as black cumin seed oil, or Nigella sativa, this seed grows commonly in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Western Asia. It is used widely as remedies in Unani, Ayurveda, Chinese medicine. When ingested, black seed oil has numerous benefits. Ancient Egyptian’s were the first to use this oil for immune and gut health, headaches, infections, and allergies. This oil contains many fats, vitamins and minerals; some of which include myristic acid, stearic acid, palmitoleic acid, linoleic acid, vitamins B1, B2, B3, iron, copper, folate, calcium, and phosphorous. Black seed oil is vegan and gluten free by nature, and it is important to be sure you choose a product that is organic and cold pressed.
Why Black Seed Oil?
Back seed oil is beneficial to the body both inside and out. From hair care and skin care to improving asthma, gut health, and immune health, Black Seed Oil is the go to alternative medicine. Specifically, Black Seed Oil has properties resulting in immune stimulation, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-asthmatic, antimicrobial and anti-parasitic.
1.) Dermatological benefits: Improve your skin by applying black seed oil directly to skin for 30 minutes. Black seed oil has antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects that have been shown to help improve conditions or psoriasis, acne, and vitiligo. Since black seed oil is antibacterial, it fights the bacteria clogged in pores, which diminished acne and other skin related inflammations.
2.) Hair improvements: When applied directly to hair or scalp, black seed oil has many benefits. The properties in this oil promote hair growth, which helps counteract hair loss, or a receding hair line. It is ideal for those looking to grow out hair, or get an added shine while repairing broken strands.
3.) Cardiovascular health: The thymoquinone compound found in the black cumin seeds has protective effects on the heart, and has been shown to reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and minimize effects of oxidative stress on the body.
4.) Immune health: The black cumin oil contains essential compounds that help strengthen and stimulate the immune system, making the body resistant to any infections. Black cumin seed stimulates your immune cells, preventing spread or growth of viruses by improving the immune response throughout the body.
5.) Weight Loss: Black seed oil has been proven to lower blood glucose levels and decrease insulin in obese women. It also helps to improve digestion, and has properties to fight against parasites, and other bacterial infections causing digestive distress and inhibiting weight loss. Hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effects have been found in multiple studies.
6.) Cancer Prevention:
Black seed oil has been proven to inhibit growth of tumor cells due to the anti-inflammatory enzymes. Black cumin seed is anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic, and anti-metastatic. Not only can it minimize the effects of chemotherapy, but it has been shown to prevent various forms of cancer including colon, lung, and breast cancer.
Ways to use Black Seed Oil:
Adding a teaspoon of black seed oil to any drink, tea, or smoothie will offer your body a plethora of benefits!
Rub oil onto dry skin or hair for 30 minutes, then rinse out. This will help combat dry skin, dry scalp, receding hairline, hair loss, or split ends.
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After incorporating black seed oil into my diet and beauty routine I was very pleased with a noticeable change in my skin, hair, and digestion. Have you tried black seed oil? If so, how did you incorporate it into your lifestyle?