Black seed oil comes from a small flowering shrub called Nigella Sativa. It has purple or white flowers and grows in Eastern Europe, Middle East and western Asia. Black seed oil is extracted from the tiny black seeds of the shrubs' fruit. These Black seeds have been used for thousands of years for their potential healing and protection properties. They are also used in cooking, added to breads, curries and pickles.
The blacks seeds are also called: Black cumin, Black caraway, Black onion seed, and Kalonji. Black seeds have been shown in research to have antioxidant properties that may help relieve inflammation. Black seed oil has commonly been used to possibly treat high cholesterol and high blood pressure as well as asthma and arthritis. Eating black seeds can also potentially reduce nausea. The oil may also help with reducing gas, stomach bloating and ulcers.
Black seed has also been used topically for problematic skin conditions. According to the Journal of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, applying black seed oil topically, significantly reduced the incidence of acne as well as psoriasis after 2 months of use. The oil has also been used on hair to help soften and promote shine. Black seed oil has been shown to reduce inflammation and bacteria in wound healing, while stimulating other growth factors to potentially help the body create new skin.
There are so many ways to incorporate Black seed oil into your lifestyle by just adding it to some of your dishes! You can toast the black seeds and then add them to bagels, biscuits or bread. You can add them to soups curries and stir frys, or you can grind them up and add them to other seasonings.
You can purchase black seed oil in many health food stores, often in capsules form for easy consumption, or in an oil form that can be applied to the skin, hair or be taken by the spoonful.
