Black Cumin 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. 

Numerous antihypertensive agents have been clinically used to control hypertension and to relieve associated comorbid conditions. However, the effectiveness of these agents is only in 40-60% of hypertensive patients and commonly combination of two or more blood lowering agents from diverse antihypertensive classes is required to attain the desired outcomes [52]. This eventually increases the likelihoods of untoward effects and also raises the cost of therapy. A number of herbal products such as the seed of N. sativa have been used and claimed to have positive effects against elevated blood pressure (BP).

Some medications that decrease the immune system include include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others. Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider. Black seed might slow blood clotting. Taking black seed along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

The endocannabinoid system (the body's "master regulatory system") might benefit from black cumin seed oil, due to its phytocannabinoid content. Phytocannabinoids are beneficial plant compounds found in black cumin seed oil, hemp, hops, rosemary, and more. "Black cumin seed oil contains a key phytocannabinoid called beta-caryophyllene (BCP). BCP binds exclusively to the CB2 cannabinoid receptor. This receptor dominates in the peripheral nervous system, immune system, gut, liver, skin, and bones—so supporting it is important to maintaining health in these systems," explains Robert Rountree, M.D., a functional medicine pioneer.

Research on black seed oil, or Nigella sativa, suggests that it may benefit your health in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most promising findings to date: One of the oldest traditional uses of black cumin seeds was to promote overall digestive health, with tinctures of the seeds frequently being used for indigestion and bloating, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Additionally, studies have found that a black cumin seed solution helped prevent the formation of gastric ulcers in rats. Researchers speculate that this is due to the gastroprotective effects of thymoquinone, which has been shown to inhibit acid secretion and help maintain the layer of mucus that lines and protects the gut.

The different doses of N. sativa seed (1, 2, and 3 g/day) in patients with DM-2 were also evaluated. A one g/day administration increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels after 3 months while two and three g/day of N. sativa seed significantly decreased serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) as well as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and increased plasma HDL-c [51]. In reference to modern scholars' devotion to the likely effects of medicinal herbs in diabetic management, a recent meta-analysis of antidiabetic effects of N. sativa [44] also exhibited the maintenance of glucose homeostasis and serum lipid profiles in diabetic human subjects [44, 51].