A clear fact to take away from the hundreds of articles written on the medical benefits of black seed oil every month is that it offers unique healing abilities. Black seed is a remedy for numerous diseases; little wonder why it has been in use for centuries now.
Black seed oil ranks high among dozens of other health-promoting oils. I am, therefore, always shell-shocked when I come across someone who hasn’t heard of this incredible oil. Come on; this is a natural healer with absolutely no side-effects!
Sorry if that’s you, but you can’t blame me for growing up with a grandma who was ever keen on natural health supplements.
Well, rejoice, here comes salvation! Read on to know all there is about this excellent gift of nature.
What is Black Seed Oil?
Black seed oil is processed from black cumin seeds. You can get these seeds from the black cumin plant, botanically called Nigella sativa. This plant grows across Africa, the Mediterranean, and southwestern Asia.
Nigella sativa has been cultivated for thousands of years now, all thanks to its tasty and aromatic seeds.
My granny used to say: “cure a man with black seeds by giving him Nigella as an herbal medicine while feeding him with Sativa.” She lived to 86, and she always said the black cumin plant was her secret.
Did I know what she meant? No.
Did I believe her? I did.
Every morning, this woman of blessed memory would bathe with water diffused with black seeds. What else, she always ensured there was a black cumin spice on our shelves. Interestingly, she never developed any significant diseases or stayed ridden in bed for more than two weeks throughout my childhood.
So much to learn from your old folks.
The most encouraging tests done with black seed have been on multi-drug-resistant bacteria often termed “superbugs.” Excellent news, I tell you, because these so-called bacteria have become a considerable threat to public health. Take, for example, the novel Covid-19 virus. If my granny were alive, she’d say “so much for modern medicine!”
According to the National Institute of Health:
- Viruses and bacteria strains with antimicrobial resistance are now nearly impossible to treat. Examples include malaria, influenza, candida, and HIV.
- 5–10% of all hospital patients are infected with “superbugs.”
- At least 90, 000 Americans die from these infections yearly.
- Patients with superbugs spend more time in hospitals and yet never completely recover.
Would you like to know more? Thankfully, this is better news.
A reputable medical college in India, Jawaharlal Nehru, reported that when black seed oil was paired with antibiotics such as Tetracycline, Amoxicillin, and Gatifloxacin, 97 out of 144 anti-microbial strains were inhibited. Notable examples were P. aeruginosa and S. aureus.
Having read all this, what do you think of black seed oil now? I know you’re scolding yourself for not knowing earlier, but, hey, cut yourself some slack—you are here now.
Below, you’ll see the top 4 benefits you can get from regularly using black seed oil.
NB: Do not mistake black seed for true cumin, black cohosh, black sesame, or black pepper.
Helps Fight Cancer
The black seed oil has powerful phytochemicals and antioxidant properties, two natural supplements that are crucial to fighting cancer.
In a study by Croatian professionals, cancerous animals treated with thymohydroquinone and thymoquinone (two phytochemicals) experienced a 52% reduction in tumor cells. Good news: both are available in black seed oil.
Furthermore, recent vitro research has suggested that the most active ingredient in black seed oil—thymoquinone—helps to eliminate malignant cells like leukemia cells, brain cancer cells, and breast cancer cells. This is done through apoptosis, which means “programmed cell death.”
Supports Liver Health
I can’t start to emphasize the essence of the liver in the body. There are probably over 1, 000 medical textbooks and journals describing its functions. For one, though, I’ll say that the liver processes toxins as well as regulate fat digestion through bile secretion.
Studies have reported that black seed oil speeds up the healing process in individuals with poor liver abilities. This usually stems from the side-effects of medications or overconsumption of alcohol. An example is a cirrhosis.
More recent findings show that black seed oil is significantly effective in protecting the liver from diseases and damages as well as improves its functions.
Tackles Diabetes
According to an entry in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, regular application of black seed oil reduces abnormal glucose levels, rebuilds beta-cells in the pancreas, and regulates insulin sensitivity in the body.
In a more straightforward sentence: black seed oil can combat type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Unbelievable.
More studies revealed that black seed oil is as effective as metformin in increasing glucose resistance. This may sound ordinary until you realize it does not leave any of the side-effects credited to its conventional partner.
Do you know why this is such a landslide breakthrough? Metformin is one of the most prescribed medicines for type 2 diabetes. Yet, it leaves harmful side-effects, such as bloating, indigestion, heartburn, headache, muscle pain, nail changes, stomach pain, and many more.
Influences Weight-loss
Give it up for this magnificent plant. First, it takes on cancer, cares for the liver, combats diabetes, and, now, helps you lose weight.
A 2018 analysis of 11 placebo-regulated trials found that black seed oil can be useful in reducing body weight. An article in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders expressed astonishment at realizing that black seed oil is a very effective natural remedy for weight-loss.
Studies established that using black seed oil reduces waist circumference and body mass index (BMI). You may be interested to know that there are no side-effects at all.
Take-Home Thoughts
The black seed oil has been in use traditionally for over a thousand years. There are several benefits to using this natural supplement, some of which have been highlighted above. Others are that it protects the skin, cures infections, enhances fertility, and balances cholesterol levels. However, these are all, by the way. The greatest advantage of the black seed oil is that it never leaves side-effects. What a miracle! Seriously speaking, the medical benefits of black seed oil cannot be overemphasized.
