Black Seed Oil

You might have heard chatter about black seed oil if you're an ardent follower of superfoods. It was listed as one of the top 10 natural food trends in 2018 based on its effectiveness and the variety of benefits it offers.

If you’re just jumping onto black seed oil now, we have covered everything you need to know to start using it safely and effectively, and we also have an impressive collection of high-quality black seed oil to get you started.

What is Black Seed Oil?

You might have heard about it but don’t fully understand black seed oil. It is also called black caraway, black onion seed, black cumin, or kalonji. It comes from a plant called Nigella Sativa, a flowering shrub popular in the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe.

The history of the seeds dates back to ancient Egypt when the black cumin seeds were used as a primary first-line of medicine against various medical conditions. It’s also rumoured that when archaeologists unearthed the famous King Tut’s tomb, they also found traces of black seed and black seed oil placed there to protect him as he made his way to the underworld.

Black seeds were also subscribed by Indian Aryuvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat hypertension, high blood sugar, eczema, asthma and other general diseases. Although these claims haven't been proven, references show the crucial role of black seed oil in many cultures worldwide.

Black seed oil gets its benefits and admiration from chemical compounds found in the seeds and the oil called thymoquinone and caryophyllene, which have been linked with specific health benefits.

Characteristics of Black Seed Oil

If you’re a first-time consumer of black seed oil, there are several characteristics about it that you should be aware of when preparing yourself for the experience.

It has a strong taste

Most people find the natural taste of black seed soil bitter and slightly hot. Most people often liken it to the flavour of oregano or cumin. Understandably, not everyone can withstand the taste of black seed oil. If you find the taste hard to withstand, you can mix the oil in beverages or food to mask the flavour and make it easier to consume.

It should be taken raw

You should consume black seed oil raw one teaspoon at a time. It is easily denatured by heat, so you should avoid heating it to preserve the nutrients.

Mixing the oil with honey or lemon juice is best. You can also drizzle it on salads or smoothies. Remember that some of its taste will still shine through whatever you add to it.

There might be some side effects

Most people have used black seed oil without any problems, and it is generally well-tolerated when taken in the right amounts. However, some people have reported some mild side effects and allergic reactions, although these have been rarely reported.

Possible side effects include itching, rash, and dermatitis. It also has the potential for allergic reactions, most commonly hives or gastrointestinal symptoms. Black seed oil may also interact with prescription medicine, so you should be cautious if you’re under any medication. You should consult with your doctor before trying it out.  

Black Seed Oil Benefits

Black seed oil has been used to treat various health conditions traditionally. Although black seed oil and the parent plant haven’t been proven effective in all the proposed medicinal benefits, it has been linked to various health benefits.

High in antioxidants

Black seed oil is rich in antioxidants which are critical in protecting body cells against damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants have other benefits and functions in the body. They are thought to reduce inflammation and reduce the chances of conditions like heart diseases, some types of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, among others.

The most abundant compound in black seed oil is thymoquinone, a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects.

Support in weight management

Another reason behind the popularity of black seed oil is its weight management properties. Black seed oil is thought to help reduce body mass index in obese individuals or those suffering from metabolic syndrome.

This benefit has been thoroughly researched, with results indicating that black seed oil can help consumers lose significantly more weight while improving triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels.

Skin and hair health 

Besides its purported medical benefits, black seed oil is also used topically for various reasons, helping with various skin conditions and hydrating hair. Black seed oil is thought to have impressive antimicrobial properties and anti-inflammatory effects, and there have been studies to back this up. The oil has been used in managing several skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and generally dry skin, among other dermatological effects.  

Antifungal properties

Black seed oil has been shown to have antifungal activities and is thought to protect against Candida Albicans, a yeast infection that can lead to candidiasis.

Black seed oil has attracted enough attention from consumers and professionals to warrant multiple studies and research into the product. While most of these are still in the infancy stages, there is a lot of promise in the applications of black seed oil.

What to Consider When Buying Black Seed Oil

When purchasing natural products that have gained massive popularity in a short time, you should always be sceptical to ensure you purchase the right one. Some manufacturers ride on this popularity to sell substandard products.

When purchasing black seed oil, you mustn't get sucked into the excitement and make a quick decision; you should do some research and look around to ensure you get the best quality products for the best results. You should consider some considerations when purchasing black seed oil, even from us at Flawless CBD.

Slow cold pressed

Don’t purchase black seed oil whose extraction process involves heat. Using heat during the extraction process causes some of the more volatile compounds in the Nigella Sativa plant to evaporate, which diminishes the oil’s quality. Pressing is one of the best and fastest methods of extracting oil.

Caution should be taken to ensure the pressing is slow as fast pressing can generate significant heat that could diminish the final product’s quality and give the oil a dark red colour and a bitter taste.

Purity

Only buy black seed oil that is 100% pure and extracted from Nigella Sativa seeds. It should be completely free from any additives and shouldn’t be bulked out using other oils. Purchasing black seed oil with compromised purity and filled with additives will reduce the oil’s effectiveness and increase the chances of undesirable interactions and side effects because of the low-quality products.

Chemical free extraction

Some manufacturers may use chemical extraction methods because they are cheaper and faster. Using chemicals like benzene derivatives can also help to extract more of the oil from each batch of seeds. However, the final product is contaminated by the chemicals regardless of the purification efforts. Therefore, we strongly recommend you stick to slow, cold-pressed black seed oil to guarantee the best results.

Bottled in UV filtering glass

It’s not just the extraction and processing methods that determine the quality of the black seed oil you purchase. Packaging also plays a critical role. Quality black seed oil should be packaged in a glass bottle because glass bottles are inert and preserve the oil’s natural integrity much better. Unfortunately, plastic bottles might be made from some cheap plastic that might leech into the oil over time.

It's also worth noting that UV rays negatively impact the efficacy of the oil. So having UV filtering packaging ensures the oil gets to you in its most potent state.

Unfiltered and unrefined

To increase the mix of valuable components in the oil that work synergistically to deliver the various benefits, it’s essential to use unfiltered and unrefined oil. The taste will likely be less palatable, but the product will be more beneficial.

Origin

Finally, you should consider the origin. The soil and climatic conditions in which the Nigella Sativa plant is grown determine the quality of the seeds, the taste of the oil and the potency of the effects. The best conditions are when the days are hot and the nights are cool. The best quality seeds are the Turkish black seeds which are highly sought after worldwide.

Flawless CBD offers the best quality black seed oil processed using the best industry procedures and carefully packaged to seal the oil’s freshness and power. With our range of black seed oil, you can start experiencing the effects and benefits that have made black seed oil as popular as it is worldwide.