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In the Black
Discover 10 surprising
benefits of black seed oil
/// BY VERA TWEED
Described in an ancient text as “a cure for
every disease except death,” black seed
oil, also called black cumin oil, has a long
history of many uses. The seeds are a
traditional Middle Eastern spice used in
pastries, dairy products, salads, and other
foods. And for thousands of years, the
oil has been applied topically and taken
internally for virtually any ailment, from
bruises, bad hair, colds, and snake bites to
headaches, indigestion, and a variety of
skin conditions, including leprosy.
Since 1965, nearly a thousand
scientifi c articles have been published
on Nigella sativa, the Latin name for black
seed, documenting anti-infl ammatory,
antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer,
and immune-enhancing properties. In
the past few years, human studies have
pinpointed some specifi c benefi ts.
1
Fighting Bugs
Black seed oil has an unusual
ability to fi ght bacterial
infections, even drug-resistant
ones such as MRSA. “Certainly not
all oils or supplements are going to
have that kind of antimicrobial benefi t,”
says Trevor Cates, ND, author of Clean
Skin from Within. “We’re always trying
to look at ways that we can reduce the
use of antibiotics and just use them
when they’re specifi cally indicated,”
she says. “And a lot of times we can
get by using natural things that have
antimicrobial benefi ts.”
2
Reducing Scars
To prevent scarring from a minor
cut, Cates recommends applying
black seed oil topically once the cut has
started to heal. “It’s not something you
would put on when you have an open
wound, but once it starts to heal, to make
sure it heals properly,” she says.
HOW TO CHOOSE AND USE BLACK SEED OIL
Cates recommends buying a high-quality, food-grade oil designed for internal use, which can
also be used topically. (Never ingest an oil intended only for external use.) She cautions that
black seed oil can turn rancid and should be stored in a cool place, in a dark-colored bottle.
The usual dose is 1 Tbs. daily. Both the oil and seed extracts are also available in pills. Black
seed oil is also called black cumin oil, or by its Latin name, Nigella sativa.
The chief active ingredient in the oil is thymoquinone, a substance that has demonstrated
anticancer effects in lab and animal studies. Some oils are formulated to have a higher
percentage of thymoquinone, and specify so on the label.