Black Cumin Oil - 5 Remarkable Health Benefits and Uses
The tiny seeds of the Nigella sativa plant
have been used as a natural healing ingredient for thousands of years.
The black seeds of the plant are ground up and processed into black seed
oil, a traditional ingredient used to treat a wide range of diseases.
While not all of these traditional medicinal uses were confirmed by
medical studies, black seed oil has several health benefits that are
backed by science - from relieving asthma to promoting weight loss.
This guide explores 5 of these health benefits and explains how to use black seed oil at home.
What Is Black Seed Oil? 
Black seed oil is produced from black
seeds, which are also known as black cumin, nigella, kalonji, Roman
coriander, and black caraway. The seeds come from the Nigella sativa
plant - a small shrub with white or pale blue flowers that grows all
across Western Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
Black seed oil can be used in cooking, applied directly on the skin, or
taken in the form of capsules. The active ingredient in black seed oil
is called thymoquinone, and it’s a strong anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant compound. We review five science-backed health benefits of
black seed oil below.
1. Helps your success in weight loss
When it comes to weight loss, there’s no
magic pill capable of making a person lose weight while they are sitting
on the couch and overeating on a daily basis. Black seed oil will not
make you magically lose weight, but it can improve the effectiveness of
the things you’re already doing to shed those extra pounds.
Medical studies show that taking black seed oil with every meal along
with a low-calorie diet can lower the body mass index (BMI) and waist
circumference more than a low-calorie diet alone can. A review study
from the Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders confirmed that
black cumin seed oil helps weight loss efforts in individuals who suffer
from type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.
One 8-week study in 90 obese women aged 25-50 found that taking 1 gram
of the oil with a meal 3 times a day made them lose more than their
counterparts who took a placebo. A 2018 review study pointed out that
the average weight loss with black seed oil was around 4.4 pounds (2.1
kilograms).
2. Benefits cardiovascular health and reduces blood pressure
Another noteworthy benefit of black cumin seed oil is its ability to
promote cardiovascular health. More specifically, it’s capable of
reducing blood pressure and reducing the levels of bad LDL-cholesterol
levels. Research from 2013 observed improvements in blood pressure in
adults who took ½ teaspoon of black seed oil two times a day after 8
weeks.
The study in obese women discussed earlier also found that the levels of
LDL cholesterol in the participants who took black seed oil were lower
compared to the placebo group. The same findings were observed in
patients with type 2 diabetes in a 2015 study. Remember that both high
levels of LDL cholesterol and high blood pressure lead to the
development of heart disease and increase one’s risk of stroke and heart
attack.
3. Fights acne and improves skin and hair health
Applying black seed oil directly on the
skin and hair is beneficial for people suffering from several skin and
hair issues - from dry hair and skin to psoriasis, eczema, and acne. The
anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of the oil treat
inflammation, calm, and nourish the skin and hair. A 2010 study found
that a lotion with 20% black seed oil was superior to benzoyl peroxide
at treating acne and had fewer side effects.
A 2013 study suggests that applying black seed oil on hand eczema 2
times a day over the course of 4 weeks was just as effective as the
topical steroid Betamethasone and hand moisturizers. Speaking of which,
black seed oil is an excellent moisturizing agent for skin, nails, and
hair. You can either apply pure black seed oil on your skin and hair or
mix the oil into your skincare and hair-care products.
4. May help lower blood sugar
Several human and animal model studies of type 2 diabetes suggest that
taking 2 grams of crushed black seeds reduces fasting blood sugar levels
and other blood markers of diabetes after 2-3 months of
supplementation. Note that most of these studies included black seed
powder in capsules, but more recent research suggests that black seed
oil has identical effects.
One research paper suggests that taking as little ⅓ teaspoon of black
cumin seed oil for 20 days reduced HbA1c levels (a blood test that
measures average blood sugar over 3 months) in patients with type 2
diabetes. Keeping blood sugar within a normal range helps diabetics
reduce their risk of serious health complications.
5. Improves asthma and breathing difficulties 
Asthma is a chronic lung condition
characterized by difficultly breathing, wheezing, coughing, and reduced
lung function. Studies suggest that combining black seed oil with asthma
medication can help the symptoms of the disease. Thymoquinone reduces
inflammation and relaxes the muscles in the airways, which makes it
easier for the patient to breathe.
A study that included 80 adult asthma patients found that taking 500 mg
of black seed oil capsules twice daily over one month improved the
patients’ ability to control their condition. Black seed oil may also be
beneficial for improving lung function in patients suffering from
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a different chronic lung
condition that makes it hard for patients to breathe.
How to Use Black Cumin Seed Oil
There are many ways you could use black seed oil. If you intend to take
it internally, you can purchase it in capsule form. Black seed oil is
also available in liquid form at health food stores and drugstores,
which allows you to use it as a supplement, a cooking ingredient, or a
skincare and hair-care product.
It’s important to buy the highest quality
black seed oil you can get - ideally, it should be cold-pressed 100%
Nigella sativa oil. Black cumin seed oil has a spicy and bitter taste
reminiscent of oregano or cumin. So, if you will be taking it as a
liquid, it may be useful to mix it with honey or lemon juice to balance
out the flavor and make it easier to consume. Begin by taking no more
than ½ teaspoon of the oil and slowly build up to 1-2 teaspoons daily.
Note that black seed oil will not be able to replace any medication.
Moreover, people who take any medication should discuss using black seed
oil with their doctor or dietitian because it can interact with
medications like beta-blockers. People suffering from kidney issues
should also consult their doctors prior to taking black seed oil.
Most people experience little to no side effects while taking black seed
oil, but there are some reports of constipation, nausea, vomiting, and
bloating. When you’re applying black seed oil directly on the skin,
patch-test the oil first on a small area to make sure you’re not
allergic to it. All in all, black seed oil is easy to use and try. We
hope that you found this information helpful.