Black Seed Oil: 11 Benefits, Uses, Side Effects and Precautions (Kalonji Oil)

The hustle and bustle of our modern lives can easily carry away our attention from things that matter. The influx of stress and noise has made us overlook the age-old remedies that our grandmothers used to carry down through narratives. 

Among the many precious herbs and spices that Ayurveda found healing in, one is Black Seed. Never heard of it? What about ‘kalaunji’? Now your brain might be hinting at something. Black seed, or kalaunji, once used to be a regular part of Indian lifestyle. These seeds, and especially the black seed oil, are rich in tons of benefits. From hair to skin, from out to in, these seeds are magical. 

So, without a delay, let’s extract these seeds and begin our journey to rediscover the age-old magic that is Black Seed Oil. Also, don’t miss the precautions that must be taken while consuming it.

Black Seed Oil(Kalonji Oil) – What, How, and Where

Firstly, let’s know what black seed oil is and where it comes from.

Black seed oil is extracted after cold-pressing black seeds. As told earlier, black seeds are also known as kalonji in India. These seeds are small, black, and teardrop-shaped and are extracted from a flowering plant called ‘Nigella Sativa’. 

Also,

Black seeds should not be confused with black sesame seeds.

They both taste different and cannot be interchanged.

Black seeds are also known as black cumin, nigella, or charnushka. Taste-wise, these seeds are slightly bitter with a slight oniony pungency. 

According to Ayurveda, these seeds are believed to balance the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and are recommended for enhancing overall well-being.

Also read – Benefits of Black Seeds or Kalaunji Seeds

Top 11 Black Seed Oil(Kalonji Oil) Benefits

From the African continent to the Middle East and the Asian continent, black seed oil was used in traditional medicine. Today, the world is moving again towards the brilliance that lies within these tiny seeds. Let’s find out. ^[1]

1. Helps in gastrointestinal problems and digestion 

The amazing properties of black seed oil do wonders for your gastrointestinal health. It has protective effects against gastric ulcers, and individuals with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome may find relief from symptoms with its use.

Black seed oil supports your digestive health through various mechanisms. Its anti-inflammatory properties may alleviate discomfort associated with inflammation in the digestive tract, providing relief from conditions like indigestion. The black seed oil also helps to reduce gas and bloating, contributing to digestive comfort. By promoting a healthy balance of gut flora, the oil’s antimicrobial effects may support efficient digestion and nutrient absorption. ^[2]

Its antioxidant content protects the digestive system from oxidative stress, while its potential to regulate stomach acid may contribute to a balanced environment, reducing the risk of acid-related issues. 

2. Black Seed oil is a wonderful wound healer

We hate seeing wounds staying there for even a moment. The healing must come instantly. Although it cannot be, the healing can be quickened. Black seed oil contains a compound called thymoquinone, which is capable of doing exactly this. 

Thymoquinone is capable of stimulating tissue growth and quickening wound healing. A study showed it helped in healing burns, cuts, etc. The reason is black seed oil’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. ^[3]

So, if you want to get running and hopping quickly, embrace it. 

3. A Magical Spell for Your Hair

Indians have always been known for their long and dense hair. All hail the way we embrace nature to support our lifestyle. The ancient Ayurvedic wisdom is full of natural ways to treat issues and disorders. Using black seed oil to support hair growth has been done for centuries. 

The reason why it helps lies in its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. The application is simple – apply the black seed oil mixed with another potent carrier oil and leave it for a few hours or overnight. ^[4]

4. Black Seed oil eases pain and inflammation

Inflammation is a good thing as long as it is under limits. It is the human body’s immune response. However, chronic inflammation is a painful thing. It leads to numerous issues such as joint pain, abnormal functioning, etc. 

Black seed oil possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties. It exerts anti-inflammatory effects through its bioactive component, thymoquinone. This compound modulates key inflammatory pathways. ^[5]

Many studies found kalonji to help treat inflammation and several auto-immune disorders. ^[6]

5. Black seed oil helps with weight loss

Obesity is a nuisance in the modern world. Not only does it make normal movements an uphill task, but it also hurls troubles at heart, blood sugar, etc. 

Consuming black seed oil can help bring down weight and enhance waist circumference and BMI. Several studies showed that it reduced cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, blood glucose, etc. ^[7]

However, one must not depend on it alone to reduce weight. It must be used as a supplement alone. Try taking care of your stress and have an active lifestyle. Here are a few proven ways that reduce weight:

• Stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises
• A healthy diet that includes high-quality protein, good fat, complex carbs, and antioxidants (veggies, fruits, nuts, etc.)
• Regular exercise (30 minutes, 3-5 times a week)
• Hydrate yourself properly

6. A fountain of antioxidants

Black seed oil boasts a rich antioxidant profile. Antioxidants mean blessings and care. One big source of antioxidants in black seeds is thymoquinone. And its levels are pretty high. ^[8]

The thymoquinone talks rose during the COVID times when its use was being recommended widely. A study found that it offered precious anti-inflammatory, immune stimulant, antioxidant, anticoagulant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.  ^[9]

Not just this, several other antioxidants such as carvacrol, anethole, etc., elevate kalonji to be a brilliant culinary addition. These antioxidants offer numerous benefits such as:

• Skin health 
• Cell renewal and repair
• Immunity support
• Calms irritation
• Brain Health
• Enhances overall health ^[10]

7. May heal and protect your liver

The liver and Kidneys are two important organs of the human body. They filter out all the toxins from our bodies and provide us with purity. But recently, the exposure to drugs and medicines has put them on the gallows. 

Kalonji is one of the very few functional foods that have been found to be effective against liver and kidney issues. Several studies found the therapeutic potential of black seed oil against toxins present in the body. It even healed a liver injury. ^[11][12]

However, the amount that should be taken by humans for liver health is still unclear. 

8. Black seed oil balances blood sugar

Blood sugar, when it leaps the limits, does brutal things to the health. When too much glucose is present in the blood, the body doesn’t know how to react. The result? Insulin resistance, inflammation, organ issues, weight gain, and lots of unwanted changes in the diet. 

Black seed oil can help regulate blood sugar and bring down the peaked levels too. The results observed during the studies were remarkable. ^[13]

To keep blood sugar under limits, you must eat food items with a low glycemic index. For example, green vegetables, fruits, carrots, lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, etc. These foods contain complex carbs. 

9. Black seed oil as an acne remedy

Ugh! Those terrible breakouts. They just ruin everything from mood to confidence. Most products present in the market come with lots of chemicals and perfumes. You don’t want them to apply on your sensitive face skin.

Black seed oil can help you control your acne too by nearly a whopping 80%. A study done on people with acne applying black seed extracts found this out. The results can easily be attributed to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties. ^[14]

Such is its power that it even helped those with conditions as bad as vitiligo when applied for six months. ^[15][16]

10. Black seed oil is an immunity invigorator 

What if your body could fight sickness as quickly as possible? Wonderful right? A strengthened immunity can help your body do just this. Or maybe black seeds.

Black seed, as we saw, contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is these properties that arm our bodies with the ability to fight off bacterial infections with ease. No more worrying about playing in the wild. 

Such is its power that it could even tackle a bacteria that was becoming resistant to the drugs and making it difficult for the medicines. ^[17]

11. Your humble heart-keeper

Heart issues are rising each day. The reason? Poor diet, poor lifestyle, and lack of peace. The last thing you want in life is heartbreak, both physically and emotionally. 

Black seed oil can bless your heart with its protective properties as well. It’s a gem. Its antihypertensive power acts motherly on your heart and reduces the risk of heart issues. ^[18]

Also, black seed oil’s diuretic and calcium channel-blocking properties add to this heartwarming mix too. A study done on 108 people proves this well.  ^[19]

Brilliant! Black! And beautiful!

But, before we conclude, let’s know the precautions and side effects that come with kalonji.

Black Seeds – A Precautionary Note

Each good thing comes with a dark side too. Black seeds are no exception. Traditionally, it was used as a medicine. So, you must know how to include it in the right way. Just be mindful of these points – 

• Pregnancy – While a few studies found it safe during pregnancy, one showed that it slowed contraction when taken in large amounts. ^[20]
• Blood clotting – If you have issues with blood clotting or are taking medicines related to it, consult your doctor before including black seed oil. It has been found to be meddling with the body’s blood clotting mechanism. ^[21]
• Skin issues – Your skin might not react well to it and you may get allergies and rashes as well. Always do a patch test before using it all over your skin. ^[22]
• Nausea and indigestion – If you feel nauseated, lacking proper digestion, bloated, etc., after taking it, consult your doctor or stop taking it. It might not suit each and every stomach. ^[23]

This is all from our wonderful oil. 

The Bottom Line

So, there you have it – black seed – a medicinal plant that was much embraced in ancient times. Today, the world has again started to recognise the brilliance of black seed oil. 

From wound healing to luscious locks, it’s a magic potion. Talk of acne and then take in black seeds; acnes will fall weak. It helps wonderfully. Be it about strengthening immunity or wavy blood pressure, the rising weight or the falling heart, black seed oil offers numerous benefits. It is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antioxidative. A punch of preciousness. 

So, there you have it — Black Seed Oil, our unsung hero. It’s the Gandalf of wellness, saying, ‘You shall not pass’ to ailments. Embrace it. And embrace it well. Because who needs a cape when you have a teardrop-shaped sidekick?

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