Black Seed Oil Uses & Benefits
Updated Dec. 05th, 2023 | Read Time: 3 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- What Is Black Seed Oil?
- Medicinal Applications of Black Seed
- Key Health Benefits of Black Seed Oil
- Anti-Inflammatory And Immune Booster
- Asthma and Allergies
- Cardiovascular Disease
- How To Use Black Seed Supplements
Black seed oil, also known as Black Cumin Seed, has been used for thousands of years as a medicine to cure just about everything. The prophet Mohammed proclaimed over fourteen hundred years ago that “Black Seed heals every disease except for death”. It was even found in King Tut's tomb, suggesting it was used medicinally as far back as his reign in Egypt.
What Is Black Seed Oil?
While different from the spice cumin, the Black Cumin Seed is also used in cooking practices worldwide. Black Cumin Seed comes from a beautiful flowing plant from the Ranunculaceae family. The seeds are harvested and used medicinally and for culinary purposes. Its oil is extracted from the seeds making Black Cumin Seed Oil also great for medicinal and culinary purposes.
The main medicinal effects of Black Cumin Seed and Black Cumin Seed Oil are on your immune system and inflammation.
Medicinal Applications of Black Seed
Historically, Black Cumin Seed and its oil have been used to combat conditions we now understand to be related to fundamental, age-related, inflammatory and immunological disturbances.
This can be anything from fighting acute and chronic infections to cardiovascular disease, allergies allergic asthma, and a low-functioning immune system.
Black seed oil is also great if you just need an immune boost in the fall and winter. Or if want a potent antioxidant in food form.
Key Health Benefits of Black Seed Oil
Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Booster
Studies show Black Cumin Seed oil contains components that re-establish optimal inflammation balance, while at the same time promoting healthy immune responses to infection.
Many disease states are a result of chronic inflammation in the body – like cardiovascular disease, arthritis, tendinitis, inflammatory bowel disease, sinusitis, etc.
Specifically, Black Cumin Seed combats inflammation by suppressing enzymes that produce pro-inflammatory cytokines called interleukins and leukotrienes. It also suppresses the activity of the master inflammatory regulator complex called NF-Kappa B. It inhibits 5-Lox and Cox1, which produce inflammatory mediators called leukotrienes and prostaglandins. Among other things, Black Cumin Seed reduces a compound called 5-HETE, a precursor to inflammatory molecules which increase inflammation.
The other major benefit of Black Cumin Seed is it boosts your immune system. Specifically, studies have shown it increases anti-tumor cells, t-cells, and natural killer cells which deactivate bacteria, viruses and abnormal cells.
And while Black Cumin Seed down-regulates chronic inflammation, it also increases inflammation when it comes to fighting infection. Specifically, it activates pro-inflammatory cytokines which are vital to overcoming infections.
Asthma and Allergies
Black Cumin Seed oil is very effective in treating allergies and allergic asthma. Because it decreases chronic inflammation common in allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and asthma, it helps with symptoms of a chronic stuffed runny nose and sinus pain from excess mucus and inflammation of the mucus membranes. Also, it combats infections in these areas which commonly go with chronic mucus production. Black Cumin Seed also acts as a bronco-dilator, anti-histamine, immune stimulant and anti-spasmodic, which is key to helping with asthma.
Cardiovascular Disease
Black Cumin Seed is great for cardiovascular disease, especially atherosclerosis, arteritis, phlebitis and other cardiovascular diseases involving chronic inflammation. Because many cardiovascular diseases involve chronic inflammation, Black Cumin Seed combats the reasons and the effects of chronic inflammation. It is also high in an antioxidant called Thymoquinone. This protects arteries from lipid peroxidase enzymes which damage fats and increase LDL cholesterol.
How To Use Black Seed Supplements
Black Cumin Seed and Black Cumin Seed Oil can be used on salads, cereal, Oatmeal or in a shake. Some people bake with it, but it is best not to heat the seeds or oil because they are fragile and can become damaged by the heating process.
Black Cumin Seed Oil can also be found in capsule form which can be found at your trusted natural health food store both in person and online.
I read about Black Cumin Seed and started taking it in 2007. At the time, I was needing a Benadryl every 4 hours for my environmental allergies (dust, mites, cats, dogs, birds, horses, all pollens, etc). I was tired all the time from the Benadryl so had to drink a lot of caffeine - which let to poor sleep and fitful nights. It was a downward spiral. Since taking Black Cumin Oil in conjunction with doing a neti pot every day, I am back to Reactine, normal dosage, and getting much better sleep!
Hi EAllen,
That is great to hear your success with Black Cumin Seed and are able to get back to a normal sleep schedule while maintaining your allergies. There is nothing worse than feeling tired and irritable form allergies all day. We have linked one of our favourite Black Cumin Seed Oil products below, it also comes with a free lavender oil to really help you feel relaxed at night. Simply diffuse the oil or add it with some water and spray on your pillow before bed.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/naturopathic-labs-black-cumin-seed-oil-120-softgels-bonus-item.html
Have a healthy day!
I love Black Seed Oil, it's such a great antioxidant for my health!
I was amazed to learn all the benefits of black seed oil. I am curious if it works better in the oil or capsule. Is there a particular dosage that would be good. I have asthma with animals and it would be great to use something natural. I also heard it is great for kidney stones.
Hello Rita,
Black Seed oil is effective in either form, that comes down to personal preference. If you choose the oil, you can hold it under your tongue for a bit before swallowing for better absorption. It's best to follow the manufacturer's dosage recommendations, but generally, 1 – 2 Tsp Oil Or Seeds Daily Or 1 – 2 Caps Oil Daily is recommended. Quercetin is also a good supplement for allergy support, you can read about it in this article:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/quercetin/
Have a healthy day!
This was a great article, very informative and interesting. I liked how the author added in the piece about the history of black seed oil and what the Prophet said about it and that it appears that the ancient Egyptians used it as well. It really gives black seeds a powerful boost by showing the correlation between history and today's use. Black seeds seem to be the secret ancient super food. I love that in addition to all the other amazing benefits that it also helps control inflammation. This is truly a miracle food!
Hello,
Thank you for sharing, we are thrilled you enjoyed our article and learning a bit about the history of Black Seed oil. Today's use, it has many great benefits, especially for lung health support. If you'd like to learn more, check out our articles on health concerns as well:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/
Have a healthy day!
Would taking black seed oil interfere in heart medication?
Hello Emily,
Thank you for enjoying our articles and for your question. It's best to speak to your health care provider or a naturopath to see if there are any potential contraindications between your specific prescription and natural health supplements like black seed oil.
Have a healthy day.