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- Black Cumin Oil
What is Black Cumin Oil?
Black Cumin Oil (Nigella Sativa) is extracted from the cumin seed and is native to the southern regions of Asia, America, and Europe. The seeds are composed of approximately 35-40% oil, and make for easy, efficient extraction. Black cumin oil has been well-depended on as a medicinal oil in ancient practices for treating diarrhea, abdominal pain and distress as well as infections (Source: Examine.com). This medicinal spice has potent bioactive components, such as thymoquinone which shows promise for many facets of health as well as general wellbeing and longevity (Source: NCBI. It is also a potent source of
- Antioxidants
- Anti-inflammatory molecules
- Vitamin E
The seeds have a balanced profile of protein, fatty acids and carbohydrates. However, the oil is seen as the active part as it contains the main bioactive compound of the entire seed (thymoquinone).
What is Black Cumin Oil good for?
Research around black cumin oil was initially sparked as a result of several claimed benefits pertaining to mental wellbeing and promoting longevity (Source: NCBI). In Islamic culture, it is one of the most widely depended-upon medicines and is believed to provide anti-hypertensive effects (Source: NCBI). The spice exerts it benefits in rather small doses which is one of the fundamental reasons why it is moving toward the label of a functional food (Source: Examine.com). Another application of black cumin oil is the treatment of allergies. There have been several studies that touted the seed extract for reducing the symptoms of common allergies. One of these studies even reported that anti-allergy medication was reduced after three months of black cumin oil supplementation (Source: NCBI).
What Black Cumin Oil supplement is best?
As a rule of thumb, you should always ensure that the products you are considering come from a trusted, reputable and quality-assurred brand. If this is too much work for you, no need to worry! We have cut out that part of shopping, because only the best-quality products are sold here at PLENT. So, whatever the product, you can be sure it is of high-quality.
In terms of black cumin oil specifically, it is not always prudent to go for high dosages. In fact, the studies that have been conducted show that low doses are effective, sometimes as much as the higher doses (Source: Examine.com)Because the seeds are rich in the oil, there is minimal processing required and so it is advisable to go with a product closest to the natural thing with minimal additional ingredients.
Key Health Aspects of Black Cumin Oil
Black cumin oil is believed to have anti-depressant effects in those with excessive inflammation, which we know contributes to the development of depression (known to have an inflammatory link). (Sources: NCBI & NCBI)
One study, healthy non-depressed males that supplemented with 500 mg of N. Sativa daily for four weeks of had an elevation in mood compared to placebo (Source: NCBI)
In the elderly, there is evidence to suggest improvements in memory and recall following 500 mg of N. Sativa taken twice daily for nine weeks (Source: NCBI). This suggested mild memory-enhancing properties in the elderly population following supplementation.
Finally, there is also evidence in immune cell regulation, it is possible N. Sativa could protect against the excessive buildup of arterial plaque, otherwise known as atherosclerosis (Source: NCBI).
Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory
Sativa has potent antioxidant activity and after oral ingestion, it appears to increase the ability of macrophages (immune cells) to destroy harmful invaders (bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc.; Sources: NCBI & NCBI).
There appear to be relatively potent anti-inflammatory properties on macrophages, following oral ingestion (Source: NCBI). This is mediated in part by inhibiting an excessive response to inflammatory stressors (Source: NCBI).
Vitamin E
An antioxidant, essential fat-soluble vitamin with a vital role to play in protecting our cell membranes from damage (Source: NCBI). It has also been shown to have a positive effect on the immune system of the elderly, with many other essential functions in the body (Source: NCBI).