Black Seed Oil and Its Incredible Healing Properties
Hello, I am Julie Donaldson and I am a clinical nutritionist with functional medicine training. I specialize in restoring balance in complex, chronic and acute health conditions. I welcome you to peruse other articles that may be of interest to you in your health investigation!
”Working with Julie has been such an eye opening and empowering experience! Initially, I wanted to go through the process to normalize my weight and to figure out how to eat for my body at this stage of my life. Through her expertise and guidance I gained so much more! I almost immediately noticed a difference in my energy levels, cravings and lasting satisfaction after a meal. After time, some of the things that I had normalized as "my body", began to change. Things I struggled with my entire life were how I always hoped they’d be!”
- JC, Colorado
Black seed oil has been said to “cure everything but death”! In this article we will look at the multitude of possibilities for healing with black seed oil (Nigella sativa) - from HPV to viral infections, H pylori, pyroluria/social anxiety and Hashimoto’s. Truly a miraculous medicine, black seed oil is a must-have in your natural medicine cabinet.
What is Black Seed Oil?
Black seed oil is made from the seeds of the black cumin (Nigella sativa) plant, which belongs to the ranunculus family (Ranunculaceae). The black cumin plant is native to southwestern Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean. It has been used medicinally and for skin healing for centuries.
The healing powers of black seed oil lie in 3 key phytonutrients: thymoquinone (antioxidant), thymohydroquinone (ACE inhibitor) and thymol (anti-viral, disinfectant). It also contains myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, proteins, vitamins B1, B2 ,B3, calcium, folate, iron, copper, zinc, and phosphorous.
Thousands of peer reviewed studies show that black seed oil has a multitude of healing properties in a wide variety of conditions.
Viruses and Black Seed Oil
COVID-19 has changed people’s lives and fears of viruses forever, in my opinion. But black seed oil comes bearing good news! It has been shown in clinical study to be as effective as hydroxychloroquine in treating malaria. Just like the drug, black seed oil has the power to drive zinc into the cells during cytokine inflammatory processes. It acts (similarly to hydroxychloroquine but without side effects) as a zinc ionosphere - where zinc cannot fight a virus on its own without a driver into the cells, black seed oil can do this via its high terpene profile.
It has been shown in study with COVID-19 that resistant bacteria are commonly co-infecting patients with the virus. Because patients are not always screened upon initial diagnosis with COVID, it remains somewhat unclear whether they have pre-existing bacterial infections or are contracting them in the process of fighting the virus. Likely, there is a combination of both scenarios occurring. In any case, black seed oil is an incredibly useful clinical tool for the combination of bacteria and viruses. Its antimicrobial properties are remarkable. Many new theories of viruses include ideas that they are attempting to benefit the host by increasing immune response to help rid the body of bacteria - in the case of black seed oil, these actions could be truly beneficial and produce less over-reactions.
Black seed oil has also shown effectiveness as an antiviral remedy against HPV (human papillomavirus). Nearly half of American adults between the ages of 18 to 59 are infected with genital HPV. A 2017 survey found that during 2013–2014, prevalence of genital HPV was 42.5 percent among adults aged 18–59, 45.2 percent among men and 39.9 percent among women. Prevalence of high-risk HPV (strains of the virus that frequently result in cancers) was 22.7 percent among adults aged 18–59, 25.1 percent among men and 20.4 percent among women. Non-Hispanic black adults showed the highest prevalence for high-risk genital HPV and non-Hispanic Asian adults showed the lowest. Prevalence of high-risk oral HPV was higher among men than women in all races and Hispanic groups. High risk HPV is associated with cervical and throat cancers. Given the cancer-protective actions of black seed oil, both topical and internal use can be very effective at halting the viral activity and its potential progression into cancer.
Black Seed Oil and Sleep/Insomnia
There is very exciting research on the positive benefits of black seed oil and sleep. With sleep disturbances and/or insomnia as the #2 health concern in the United States (behind the common cold), these are truly important findings.
There are several pathways by which black seed oil supports sleep. The first is via support of melatonin activity in control of the circadian rhythm of sleep. Melatonin is a hormone released through the pineal gland and assisted via retinal responses in the eyes. Black seed oil binds to both types of melatonin receptors (type 1A and type 1B). In so doing it acts as an agonist which the receptors respond to. Low function of melatonin receptors 1A and 1B can be caused by various factors, including aging, genetic variations, and certain health conditions that affect hormone levels or receptor sensitivity. Additionally, environmental factors such as light exposure at night can also influence melatonin receptor activity.
Melatonin receptors are in the brain, retina of the eye, cardiovascular system, the liver and gallbladder, colon, skin, kidneys, among others. So, for those who are perplexed as to why they take melatonin and don’t have a successful response, the addition of black seed oil makes a significant impact. (Note: In some cases, failure of melatonin release is impacted by calcification of the pineal gland, associated with excess fluoride in the system.)
The 2nd mechanism of black seed oil in supporting healthy sleep is in the modulation of GABA and nitric oxide within the brain. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) primarily promotes sleep by acting as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, calming brain activity and facilitating sleep onset Nitric oxide enhances arterial oxygenation which is postulated to affect sleep at night.
Black seed oil also affects acetylcholine and glutamate, as well as their receptors. These are two very important stimulatory neurotransmitters which contribute to the balance of daytime and nighttime circadian rhythms through wakefulness. When wakefulness is impaired, sleepiness will also be impaired.
Black Seed Oil and Mood Disorders
Mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and mania may all be benefitted with the use of black seed oil. The research indicates that immunomodulatory actions of black seed oil are a key factor in reducing brain inflammation as well as in raising serotonin. Multiple studies are cited in the link above with regards to the reduction of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-ɑ & IL-6 in particular). We also see the reduction of arachidonic acid and acid-eicosanoid cascades which contribute to inflammatory conditions and elevated PGE2 levels. These are fatty acids which become precursors to prostaglandins such as PGE2 which are highly inflammatory. Connections with mental/mood disorders have been proven again and again in connection with this type of biochemistry. Also cited in the research is the increase in BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor), a neuroprotective compound. Lastly, black seed oil positively impacts the microbiome, suppressing bacteria-induced stimulation of the membrane receptors of NF-𝜅-β. High levels of this immune compound are also associated with cancer cell growth and autoimmune diseases. But for the purposes of this conversation, the influences are (negatively) on the neuroimmune loop, involving the immune system, Vagus nerve (plus the body’s organs, some of which interact with neurotransmission), brain and nervous system.
Black Seed Oil and Pyroluria
Pyroluria is a condition that affects many people and results in a myriad of physical and mental/emotional symptoms. (Read more here to gain an in-depth understanding of pyroluria.) At the heart of this condition are deficiencies of zinc and vitamin B6. As discussed in the section above, black seed oil is a very effective zinc ionosphere, or transporter of zinc into the cells. This makes black seed oil a wonderful adjunct therapy in working with pyroluria. Those with pyroluria often have lower levels of oxytocin (one of our “feel-good” hormones), and oxytocin requires zinc in order to bind to its cellular receptors.
Black Seed OIl and Fatty Liver Disease
I have written about and worked extensively with fatty liver disease. Research shows black seed oil to also be an effective remedy against this disease. Because of its multiple connections with the cormorbidities that contribute to high rates of death with COVID-19, fatty liver disease is an important condition to both screen for and address directly in all people. Connections with this disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes are critical to investigate and are all positively impacted with the use of black seed oil. Research shows both liver and kidney protective properties in black seed oil. Additional research indicates that black seed oil will also have cholesterol-lowering effects.
Black Seed Oil and Hashimoto’s
Hashimoto’s is a disease of the thyroid, often causing hypo activity of the thyroid and an attack against the gland resulting in elevated antibodies. It affects about 1 in 180 people in the US, and 5 times more women than men. Hashimoto’s also has relationships with blood sugar regulation and infectious conditions.
A 2016 study showed promising results with the use of black seed oil in the regulation of thyroid hormones and the resolution of Hashimoto’s disease.
Black Seed Oil and H pylori
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is extremely common worldwide, and a large number of diseases have been associated with H. pylori, particularly chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and gastric Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT)-lymphoma. Considering peptic ulcer alone, at least 6,000,000 new cases occur each year worldwide mainly linked to H pylori. Occurrences of adenocarcinoma amount to 899,000 new cases annually, and 75% of these are probably linked to H pylori infection.
H pylori is a gram negative bacteria that is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotic treatment. Promising results have been recorded, however, in response to treatment with black seed oil. Treatments with 1 G of black seed oil daily provided eradication of the bacteria at 86% as well as improvement of dyspepsia symptoms.
Other Potential Uses and Sources of Black Seed Oil
As you can see, black seed oil has many positive therapeutic impacts.
Some of the other additional benefits with use of black seed oil include:
treatment of ecxema and psoriasis
treatment of fungus
treatment of allergies
digestive support
Black seed oil can be used in many forms, including capsule (easiest, most convenient), powder (can be mixed with other foods but does have a bitter quality) and liquid oil (may be used both internally and externally on skin conditions).
Please use caution and professional guidance when choosing a product and dose. Black seed oil is possibly contraindicated with a bleeding disorder or when using anticoagulants. As always at True Nature, all aspects of your health will be taken into consideration. Email me at Julie@truenaturehealthconsulting.com for more information on improving your health today. We provide holistic telehealth services.