What is Black Seed Oil?
Nigella sativa is a small flowering shrub with purple or white-tinged flowers that grows in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and western Asia. Some additional names for black seed oil include: black caraway, black cumin, black onion seed, kalonji.
Health Benefits of Black Seed Oil
Black seed oil has proven to be a factor in treating some of the most common health conditions, including high blood pressure and asthma. It also shows strong antifungal activity against yeast that can overgrow in the body and lead to candidiasis. Examples of other black seed oil health benefits include:
As a remedy for high blood pressure: Taking black seed oil for two months has been shown to reduce high blood pressure in people whose blood pressure is mildly elevated.
As a remedy for high cholesterol: Taking black seed oil has been shown to reduce high cholesterol. It’s high in healthy fatty acids that can help you maintain healthier cholesterol levels. Examples of these fatty acids include linoleic acids and oleic acid. The levels of the oils can vary depending on where the black seeds are grown. People may also see results when consuming the crushed seeds.
As a remedy for symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis: Taking oral black seed oil may help to reduce inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
As a remedy for decreasing asthma symptoms: The anti-inflammatory effects of black seed oil may extend to improving asthma symptoms. Its effect in reducing inflammation in the airways may also help with bronchitis symptoms.
As a remedy for an upset stomach: Eating black seeds or taking black seed oil is associated with relieving stomach pain and cramps. The oil can help to reduce gas, stomach bloating, and the incidence of ulcers as well.
Black seed oil is also thought to have anticancer properties. It may help fight against skin cancers when applied topically.
How to Use Black Seed Oil for Digestion?
Thymoquinone (TQ) is a chief bioactive constituent of black seed oil (Nigella sativa). TQ holds promising pharmacological properties against digestive and several other diseases. TQ reduces hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism in adults causes reduced metabolism. It can result in symptoms such as fatigue, intolerance of cold temperatures, low heart rate, weight gain, reduced appetite, poor memory, depression, stiffness of the muscles and reduced fertility. Hyperthyroidism is caused when there is too little production of thyroxine by the thyroid gland. Thyroxine is the main hormone secreted into the bloodstream by the thyroid gland. It is the inactive form and most of it is converted to an active form called triiodothyronine by organs such as the liver and kidneys. Thyroid hormones play vital roles in regulating the body’s metabolic rate, heart and digestive functions, muscle control, brain development and maintenance of bones.
Thyimoquinone is known to modulate thyroid hormones and improved thyroid status. Therapeutic effects of Nigella sativa against hypothyroidism is mostly attributed to its antioxidant effects which have been proved in numerous studies. It has also been suggested that Nigella sativa protects the hyperplasic changes of thyroid parenchyma in hypothyroid subjects.
How I Use Black Seed Oil for Digestion?
I use Black Seed Oil mostly at night, to thoroughly digest my food. In the past, I would wake up and have problems with hard stool in the bathroom. I’m a sucker for hot wings and too many wings will give me acid reflux. Before going to sleep, I would take two tablespoons of Black Seed Oil. When waking up, I would feel like I have an upset stomach and the stool easily comes out, saving me time and a headache (jk). I have not had an acid reflux event since I began taking Black Seed Oil.