16 black seed oil benefits

Here we delve into black seed oil benefits to reveal why this under the radar ingredient could be a great natural addition to your beauty routine.

Black seed oil comes from the seeds of the Nigella sativa plant that grows in Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and the Middle East. This small flowering shrub produces fruits containing tiny black seeds that are widely used as a spice and a condiment. However, the lightweight oil extracted from the seeds is also used in various natural solutions.

You can buy black seed oil and apply it to your hair and skin directly, or you can dilute it with a carrier oil. Black seed oil is made from the Nigella sativa plant, which is a flowering shrub that produces fruit with tiny black seeds. The plant is native to Asia, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. Black seeds go by a variety of different names.

These include black cumin, black caraway, nigella, fennel flower, and Roman coriander. We often use these seeds in cooking, but they can be pressed into an oil too.¹ The black seed oil has a variety of reported health benefits, which is what it is used for most.²

Other common names for black seed oil:

Black seed oil contains numerous vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Some of these will sound familiar – for example, vitamins A (retinoids), B (niacinamide), and C (ascorbic acid).³ But one of its unique active components is thymoquinone, a powerful natural soothing agent.⁴

With such a rich variety of components, this oil offers a whole host of skin-friendly superpowers. Given these impressive credentials, it’s no surprise that there are many reported skin-health benefits of black seed oil. Advocates believe it helps with many different ailments, although there isn’t (yet) sufficient research to support all of the healing accolades, it’s definitely an oil with lots of promise.

Here we focus on three black seed oil benefits. First, the revitalising effect it has on skin, second the benefits to hair and third, the benefits of black seed oil for your health.

Whether you’re sprinkling black seeds onto bread or adding them a curry, it’s unlikely that you will experience adverse symptoms from using them in the kitchen.³⁴

However, this could be different if you choose to take black seed supplements or ingest a lot of black seed oil. There’s limited research about how taking large amounts for a long time will interact with the body. There are some reported side-effects too. These may include:

Black seed oil may also interact with certain medications, such as dextromethorphan.³⁸ There’s also no research into how these supplements may react if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

With this in mind, it will be essential to speak to your doctor before using them in your health routine.

Black seed supplements are available in pill, capsule, and liquid forms. You can ingest this supplement or use it topically as a natural skin care product. The exact dosage amount isn’t always precise, so it’s usually best to follow the instructions on your chosen product.

It’s worth remembering that supplements aren’t regulated like medicines are. Always try to choose products that have fewer added ingredients.³⁹

Since black seed oil requires more research if it’s to be used as a supplement for health, there’s no definitive time frame for how long it will take to work. Although it’s important to remember that consistency is key when it comes to these things.

If you have any further questions on how long it will take for you to notice the effects, please speak to a medical professional for personalised advice.

While there are many, the uses and benefits of black seed oil are not wholly proven. It’s essential to proceed with caution, especially if you have an underlying health condition.

If you are experiencing symptoms or have a particular health concern, it’s best to speak to your doctor first.