To go by the beliefs of our ancestors, the world is full of surprises and everything is either full of magic or blessed by the supreme power. One such blessed magical ingredient is the black seed. The existence of black seed and its health benefits can be traced back from its reference in Arabic approbation where it is mentioned as ‘seed of blessing‘. [1]
Black seeds are obtained from the Nigella sativa plant. It is mostly used as a look and taste enhancer for food preparations, and also has the carminative property that avoids the risk of flatulence. In folk medicinal practice, the black seed portrays vast therapeutic properties, which include lactogogues, carminative, anthelmintic, anti-hypertensive, muscle relaxants, diuretics, and as immunity booster in immune-compromised people.
According to the Alternative Medicinal system, the benefit from the Nigella Sativa seed is entirely due to the oil extracted from it. The tiny dark black colored, equally triangular- shaped seeds contain in a puffy capsule formed from the united follicles holds a considerable amount of oil. The oil has a pungent and bitter taste. [1]
Evidence from several pharmacological studies supports the fact that different phytochemicals present in black seed oil can provide antihistaminic, hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic effects.
The topical application of oil can relieve inflamed skin (dermatitis). [1]
So you may be asking yourself what are the benefits of black seed oil. Let us discuss a quick snapshot of some benefits of black seed oil that are scientifically proved by using modern scientific techniques.
Antibacterial activity
Black seed oil shows great antibacterial effectiveness against several bacteria strains that disrupt organ functions. It acts against Staphylococcus aureus (responsible for multiple for skin and soft tissue infections) and its antibacterial effect is comparable to other synthetic antibiotic like Azithromycin. It is also effective against H. pylori. [2]
Antifungal activity
Candida albicans is a very common fungus responsible for the various fungal infections. Black seed oil can inhibit candida growth. It also has antidermatophyte activity, means it acts against dermatophytes like Trichophyton interdigitale, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsporum canis. [2]
Anti-schistosomiasis activity
Schistosoma mansoni infection causes liver damage. According to the researchers, black seed oil may play a role in the anti-schistosomal potency, as the animal data showed significant improvement in mice with schistosomiasis. [2]
Antioxidant activity
The black seed oil prevents the liver from oxidative stress by increasing the activities of enzymes such as glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, myeloperoxidase, myeloperoxidase, adenosine deaminase and by decreasing hepatic lipid peroxidation. [2]
Antidiabetic activity
Black seed oil can restore normal insulin levels by preserving the pancreatic β-cell integrity and by decreasing oxidative stress. [2]
Anticancer activity
Antitumor and antiangiogenic activity of Black seed oil are obtained due to inhibition of NF-κB. The different organ-specific anticancer activity of black seed oil is due to its potential inhibitory effects on tumor formation, and also restricts cell proliferation. Research on animal and other laboratory studies reported that administration of black seed can provide anticancer activity against osteosarcoma, breast cancer, colon, lung, esophageal and for stomach tumors without providing any side effects. [2]
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity
Black seed oil has an inhibitory effect on inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (1 and 6) and nuclear factor κB. Researchers also found that it is a potential anti-osteoporotic agent. [2]
Cardiovascular activity
Black seed oil can decrease blood pressure and total LDL and cholesterol level in hypertensive patients. It can potentially block calcium channel and provide relaxant effect on cardiac muscle. [3]
Nephroprotective activity
Black seed oil has a nephroprotective effect. It decreases the level of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and can provide antioxidant activity. [2]
Pulmonary-protective activity and anti-asthmatic effects
The anti-inflammatory effect of Black seed oil is useful to provide inhibitory effects against allergen-induced lung eosinophilic inflammation and mucus-producing goblet cells. Asthma and inflammatory processes in the bronchi can be controlled by administering the oil. [1]
Neuro-pharmacological activities
Preclinical evidence showed that black seed oil improves learning capability and memory. Regular administration of black seed oil can decrease anxiety and related symptoms by improving tryptophan (amino acid) level in brain and blood. [2]
References
- Subhash Padhye, Sanjeev Banerjee, Aamir Ahmad, Ramzi Mohammad, Fazlul H Sarkar; From here to eternity – the secret of Pharaohs: Therapeutic potential of black cumin seeds and beyond; Cancer Ther.Author manuscript; available in PMC 2008 Nov 17; Published in final edited form as: Cancer Ther. 2008; 6(b): 495–510. Online available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2583426/
- Aftab Ahmad, Asif Husain, Mohd Mujeeb, Shah Alam Khan, Abul Kalam Najmi, Nasir Ali Siddique, Zoheir A. Damanhouri, Firoz Anwar; A review on therapeutic potential ofNigella sativa: A miracle herb; Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013 May; 3(5): 337–352. doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60075-1; Online available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3642442/
- Rana Keyhanmanesh, Zahra Gholamnezhad, Mohammad Hossien Boskabady; The relaxant effect ofNigella sativa on smooth muscles, its possible mechanisms and clinical applications; Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2014 Dec; 17(12): 939–949; Online available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387229/
