Black seed benefits
Black seed oil is an herbal ingredient derived from the plant Nigella sativa, which is native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia
Known for its powerful medicinal properties, black seed is a natural remedy that people use to treat a wide range of conditions, including :
- back pain
- infections
- inflammation
- high blood pressure
- headache
It also offers a long list of science-backed health and beauty benefits, thanks to its content of antioxidants and other bioactive compounds
in this article will try to explain at least 10 health benefits of black seeds
Some research shows that black seed oil could be beneficial for skin conditions, such as acne.
This may be due to the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties associated with black seed properties
According to one review article, when people applied a lotion made with black seed oil to a skin area with acne, they had significantly fewer acne lesions after 2 months
Those who did this treatment had a 78% reduction in acne severity along with a significant improvement in the number of acne lesions compared with a control group (4Trusted Source).
Interestingly, some studies have found that black seed oil could aid in the treatment of psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by scaly red patches on the skin
One animal study found that applying black seed oil to the skin decreased inflammation and reduced symptoms of psoriasis in rats
There’s not much research currently available about the effects of black seed oil on psoriasis in people.
They found that 83% of participants experienced at least a 75% reduction in their psoriasis severity after applying the herbal cream to the affected area daily for 12 weeks
It’s important to note that this study used black seed oil combined with other ingredients, so there’s no way to know in this case whether black seed oil was behind the beneficial effects.
More research is needed to investigate how black seed oil may affect psoriasis in people.
Black seed oil contains a compound called thymoquinone, which has been studied for its ability to stimulate tissue growth and promote wound healing
Studies in animals have found that thymoquinone may help treat burns, excisions, and diabetic wounds due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects
Thanks to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, black seed oil is often added to hair care products, including hair masks and shampoos
Some research suggests that black seed oil could be beneficial for the treatment of vitiligo, a disorder that causes loss of pigmentation in the skin
Studies have shown that black seed oil has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
This could be beneficial for multiple aspects of health, as some research suggests that inflammation could contribute to the development of many chronic conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer
According to a review of 10 studies, consuming black seed oil may reduce multiple markers of inflammation while also increasing blood levels of antioxidants
Not only that, but the review concluded that black seed oil may be more effective at reducing inflammation than other forms of black seed
Another review of 12 studies had similar findings, noting that black seed supplements could decrease blood levels of C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde, both of which are indicators of inflammation and oxidative stress in the body
Though the exact way it works is unclear, black seed oil appears to promote weight loss and decrease body fat.
One study looked at the effects of black seed oil in 84 women with obesity.
Those who consumed 3 grams of black seed oil per day for 8 weeks and followed a low calorie diet experienced greater reductions in body weight and belly fat than those who followed a low calorie diet alone
Some research shows that black seed oil could be beneficial for stabilizing blood sugar levels.
In fact, one review of 7 studies showed that black seed could help improve multiple markers of blood sugar control, including insulin levels and blood sugar levels during fasting and after a meal
Another review of 23 studies had similar findings, noting that black seed was effective at reducing fasting blood sugar and decreasing levels of hemoglobin A1C, a measure of long-term blood sugar control
Furthermore, a review of 17 studies even concluded that black seed oil was more effective than black seed powder at lowering fasting blood sugar levels
Several studies have found that black seed oil could alleviate symptoms of eczema, a skin condition characterized by dry, itchy skin
One small 2012 study found that black seed oil was as effective as betamethasone cream, a type of corticosteroid, at improving quality of life and reducing the severity of hand eczema when applied topically twice daily for 4 weeks
An animal study also showed that oral and topical administration of thymoquinone, a compound found in black seed oil, decreased inflammation and improved symptoms of eczema in mice
Black seed oil can also promote wound healing and protect against harmful bacteria. This could potentially help prevent skin infections associated with eczema
However, more recent, high quality studies in humans are still needed.
Research suggests that black seed oil could help prevent metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes (29Trusted Source,
One study in 55 people with high blood pressure had participants take 2.5 mL of black seed oil twice daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the study, those who received this treatment had several positive outcomes.
They experienced reduced levels of diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and fasting blood sugar, all of which are components of metabolic syndrome
Multiple other studies have found that black seed oil may reduce risk factors for metabolic syndrome by decreasing belly fat, lowering blood sugar, and improving cholesterol and blood pressure levels (22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source, 33Trusted Source).