Black Seed Oil

Black seed oil is a substance that is extracted from the seeds of Nigella sativa, a plant that is native to Egypt, the sub-continent and Asia. Black seed and black seed oil have long been used as herbal medicine for skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, acne and dry skin, allergies, colds and more serious health conditions, such as asthma, arthritis, cancer and diabetes. 

The intragastric supplementation of TQ (20 mg/mL) in aluminum trichloride and D-galactose induced neurotoxicity in rats showed a meaningful improvement of cognition, SOD, and total antioxidant capacity while reducing acetylcholinesterase activities. It also exhibited a reduction in MDA, nitric oxide levels, and tumor necrosis factor-α immunoreactivity and amplified brain derived neurotrophic factor and Bcl-2 levels [61]. While the effects of repeated administration of N. sativa in rats indicated that, there was an improvement in learning and recall status [62]. In addition, flavonoids isolated from black cumin have been shown to modulate critical neuronal signaling paths involved in the processes of memory and are likely to affect synaptic plasticity and long-standing potentiating mechanisms [63]. The neuropharmacological effects of the seed and oils of N. sativa and its active component, TQ, are described in Table 1. Based on the wide ranging neuropharmacological effects, black cumin seed, its oil, and the active principle thymoquinone (TQ) can be explored as a promising natural remedy for improvement of numerous neurological disorders.

Inflammation has a key role in various medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, asthma, allergies, and cancer which all are associated with acute and/or chronic pain. The existing anti-inflammatory agents commonly comprise classes of drugs that produce severe adverse effects such as gastric ulcer, bone marrow depression, water, and salt retention, resulting from the extended use [80]. Medicinal herbs including black cumin might be a potential source of novel biological compounds that are safer and with fewer side effects. The volatile oil of black cumin and thymoquinone at various doses revealed a dose-reliant anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats' parallel to indomethacin [81]. The volatile oil of N. sativa seed also displayed a substantial pain-relieving effect in acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin, and tail flick tests [82]. As stated by Al-Ghamdi, the water extract of black cumin also retained anti-inflammatory effects in carrageenan-induced paw edema comparable to acetyl salicylic acid at corresponding doses but failed to display antipyretic activity against yeast-induced pyrexia [83]. Furthermore, the alcoholic extract of black cumin exhibited a noteworthy pain-relieving effect in mice as compared to diclofenac sodium [84]. Additional study also showed that essential oil of black cumin has notable activity as a painkiller in acetic acid-induced writing, formalin, and tail flick tests. It was also revealed that this extract might elevate a significant swimming and anoxia tolerance time [85]. The anti-inflammatory action of TQ might be related to inhibition of the oxidative product of arachidonic acid formation, such as thromboxane B2 and leukotriene by blocking both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes [86, 87].

Chronic inflammation has been implicated in various chronic illnesses [(cancer, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma) that involve progressive and irreversible damage to the cell and/or neurons] as well as in many infectious conditions [99, 100]. Therefore, the crucial role of anti-inflammatory actions of different N. sativa preparations and TQ might be the possible sources for the development of a new generation of anti-inflammatory agent to treat these wide ranging conditions.

Black Cumin Seed Oil

If you're a cook, think of it as a flavoring or finishing oil as opposed to a cooking oil. You can use it in dressings, add it to smoothies, drizzle it over grain dishes, or incorporate it into anything you'd normally top with an aromatic oil. Just be sure you're not drizzling on more than the recommended daily serving, and don't add it to anything too hot or you'll degrade its delicate nutrients. Black seed oil does have a pretty pungent, bitter, somewhat peppery flavor, so proceed with caution before you potentially ruin a perfectly good meal! If you're not a fan of its natural flavor, consider taking it as a supplement or trying it in a healthy homemade dressing, like this one.

This also bleeds into the next point, which is that black seed oil is believed to be a helpful aid with lung health, including guarding against conditions such as bronchial asthma. "Because antioxidants help to fight inflammation and asthma results in inflammation on the airway, black seed oil has been shown to help reduce the inflammation in that airway, helping to improve asthma control," says Zeitlin. Of course, be sure to consult a doctor before you start any treatment protocol. If you struggle with high cholesterol, black seed oil might be a worthy supplement in your pantry. "Some studies have also linked black seed oil to lowering [the risk of] heart disease by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure," Zeitlin says. "These findings, again, are linked back to the antioxidant content in the oil." "While there is lots of talk about black seed oil and weight loss, more research is needed for any real link to be shown," Zeitlin says. "What we have seen is that the antioxidants in black seed oil can help regulate your blood sugar levels, and that blood sugar regulation does help to maintain a healthy weight."