Black cumin oil is a real secret tip from naturopathy and can have many positive effects on your health. As part of a healthy, balanced diet, it can have anti-inflammatory and blood pressure-lowering effects. In this article, learn how black cumin oil strengthens the immune system and your health and how you can use it.
What is black cumin oil?
As the name suggests, black cumin oil is extracted from the seeds of the black cumin plant, botanically called “Nigella sativa”. Black cumin has been cultivated for thousands of years in the West Asian region (Turkey, Iraq) and is valued as a spice and medicinal plant. Found Papyrus Scrolls prove that even the ancient Egyptians called black cumin oil “the gold of the pharaohs”. A bottle of it was even found in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.
How to make black cumin oil
Two different types of oil can be obtained from black cumin: a normal edible oil and essential oil. To produce the edible oil, the seeds of the black cumin plant are first dried and then cold-pressed. This preserves the ingredients better. The essential oil is extracted through a special evaporation process. Up to 60 kilograms of black cumin seeds are needed for one litre.
Theoretically, you could also make the whole thing yourself: To do this, put about 500 grams of black cumin seeds together with one litre of olive oil in a preserving jar and leave the whole thing in a warm place for about three weeks. Then filter out the seeds again. However, the ingredients of the self-made variant cannot be compared with those of mechanically cold-pressed oil.
Black cumin oil contains important nutrients
Black cumin oil consists of 60 percent polyunsaturated fatty acids, followed by 20 to 25 percent monounsaturated fatty acids. The highest proportion is oleic acid, linoleic acid and saponins (they belong to the secondary plant substances). It also contains essential oils and essential amino acids such as L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine. These in turn are basic building blocks of the messenger substances adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine. In addition to the minerals biotin, selenium and magnesium, black cumin oil also contains various vitamins – such as provitamin A, various B vitamins, as well as vitamin C and vitamin E.
What is black cumin oil good for?
Black cumin oil is said to have innumerable health effects in the most diverse areas. In naturopathy it is used in particular for the following complaints:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Digestive problems
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Alleviation of the side effects of chemotherapy
- Skin diseases such as acne or neurodermatitis
Black cumin is also said to strengthen the immune system and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Intake, use and dosage
The uses of black cumin oil are manifold. It can be used both internally and externally. Since the oil tastes and smells very intense, it is rather difficult to integrate it into daily nutrition. Therefore, it is usually taken as a supplement and is also available in capsule form. Regarding dosage, it also recommends: “Studies have applied up to five milliliters of oil (equivalent to half a tablespoon to a tablespoon) or three grams of seeds.” However, experts say that the additional calories taken should not be ignored. For external use, for example against acne, the oil can be applied undiluted to the affected skin areas. However, if you suffer from neurodermatitis, you should dilute it with carrier oil. Argan oil, for example, is suitable for this.
Can side effects occur?
In principle, side effects rarely occur when using or taking black cumin oil. Studies have reported that occasionally itching or nausea may occur. Another study also mentions a slight drop in blood sugar levels. Only rarely have allergic skin reactions occurred. According to experts, a contact allergy cannot be ruled out in the case of local application. They also advise against taking black seed oil on an empty stomach, as it can irritate the stomach lining. Another reported side effect is increased belching.
In general, experts recommend stopping treatment with black seed oil immediately if there are signs of side effects. Pregnant women should also refrain from taking it in concentrated form to be on the safe side, as a labour-inducing effect cannot be ruled out.
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