Reducing inflammation and speeding up weight loss are just two of black cumin oil’s benefits, which immediately makes us wonder, “Why are we just now hearing about this amazing superfood?”
Well, I’ve written about Black Cumin Oil before so those of you who read this blog will not be hearing about it for the first time. Remember that It was found in King Tut’s pyramid, and its benefits are mentioned in the Old Testament.
What is Black Cumin Oil?
Black cumin oil, also called black cumin seed oil, kalonji oil, or nigella sativa oil, comes from the plant Nigella sativa. This beautiful flowering plant originated in Southwest Asia, and black cumin oil is commonplace in Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
Here in Turkey, we not only use the oil but also sprinkle the dried seed on many foods.
Uses of Black Cumin Oil
There are many uses for black cumin oil, including as an ingredient in curries, salad dressings, and smoothies. It has a bitter, peppery taste, that has been compared to burned onion, sesame, and poppy seeds that fall off a bagel. You only need one to three tablespoons per day, so think of it more as an aromatic oil, not a cooking oil.
I either drink a tablespoon full or put a tablespoon full in my freshly squeezed vegetable juice every morning before or with breakfast.
Applying black cumin oil topically is also popular, from what I read. One common method is to use black cumin oil for hair regrowth treatments. (I wish I’d heard about this use years ago.) Black cumin oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that maintain scalp health by soothing irritating skin conditions like eczema and dandruff. It also contains the antihistamines nigellone and thymoquimone. People suffering from male or female pattern baldness or patchy hair loss often take antihistamines to regrow their thinning hair. Massaging black cumin oil into the scalp is a simple way to absorb these antihistamines without having to be prescribed medication.
We purchase the oil or the seeds from our favorite spice shops in Istanbul. Apparently, they are available in capsule form for those who aren’t cooking with it or applying it topically in other counties. You can also get the capsules from Amazon.
Other Benefits of Black Cumin Oil
Perhaps the most appealing benefit of black cumin oil is that it may help with weight loss. A study published in the June 2015 issue of Food and Function looked at what effects giving obese women nigella sativa oil had on their body weight and metabolism. Participants who received black cumin oil saw their weight and waist circumference “decrease significantly” compared to women in the placebo group.
That said, you can’t just chug black cumin oil and expect to lose weight. The reason this superfood works is likely that it deals with underlying problems that cause obesity, like inflammation. Think of black cumin oil as a weight-loss tool rather than your primary method of weight loss.
If you suffer from acne and scarring, multiple studies have found that black cumin oil may be beneficial in preventing future breakouts and cleaning up existing acne scars.
Whether you’re looking for a certain bite in your salad dressing or you’re desperately searching for a natural remedy for thinning hair, why not give black cumin oil a try?
That’s it for now my friends; see you all next time.
