Black Seed Oil

Black seed oil is a substance that is extracted from the seeds of Nigella sativa, a plant that is native to Egypt, the sub-continent and Asia. Black seed and black seed oil have long been used as herbal medicine for skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, acne and dry skin, allergies, colds and more serious health conditions, such as asthma, arthritis, cancer and diabetes. 

Robinett says you can take it straight by the spoonful, and capsules are also common. She notes that a typical dose may be something around 800mg per day (in capsule form) or about a teaspoon per day of the oil. Consider investing in a medium-size bottle of black seed oil ($34) or give black seed cold-pressed oil capsules ($18) a try. Zeitlin personally recommends taking the oil versus the supplement form, and stick to half a teaspoon if a full teaspoon is too much for you. What if you can't get enough of black seed oil? Can you use it in your meals? Kind of! "If you like the flavor, mixing it into broths or soups, teas or even salad dressings—one of my favorite places to put savory medicinal herbs—is a great way to seriously up level a meal," Robinett says.

When you scan the label, you'll notice a variety of beneficial compounds listed, including things like omega-3, -6, and -9 essential fatty acids and cholesterol-lowering plant compounds called phytosterols. But the majority of its therapeutic perks probably have to do with a particularly potent active compound called thymoquinone (TQ), says Pedre, which is "an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, and immune-supporting properties." Today, black cumin seed oil is sold in health food stores, grocery stores, and online as a liquid oil, as gel capsules, and in a blend with other extracts such as hemp oil. To reap its varied benefits, you can ingest it or apply it topically to the skin.

Research has also shown that the antioxidant properties of black seed oil can have a protective effect on both the liver and the kidneys. There are several mechanisms by which this works. In one of the key processes, thymoquinone appears to reduceTrusted Source the level of oxidative stress, which is an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Oxidative stress is associated with a variety of liver problems such as alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver damage caused by Tylenol, hepatitis, and others. It is also associatedTrusted Source with kidney problems such as chronic kidney disease and kidney toxicity. Trusted Source also shows that black seed oil may be helpful in reducing the size of kidney stones and eliminating kidney stones from the body.

Black Cumin Seed Oil

Generally, the possible antidiabetic mechanisms of N. sativa might be mediated via modulation of oxidative status (either through upregulation of endogenous antioxidants or reduction of oxidative species) [45, 47], attenuation of inflammation [45], improvement of lipid profiles, increased good cholesterol (HDL-c), while reducing bad cholesterols (LDL-c, TC, and TG) and body weight [44, 46, 51].

Black seed might lower blood sugar in some people. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking black seed along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed. Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others. Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider. Black seed might increase the immune system. By increasing the immune system, black seed might decrease the effectiveness of medications that decrease the immune system.