Black seeds are known by different names including black onion seeds, black cumin, fennel flower, black caraway, kalonji and Roman coriander. It is commonly referred to as black seed and black seed oil. It is from the annual flowering plant Nigella sativa and is native to Bulgaria and Romania in Europe and Western Asia and parts of Africa.

The essential oil of black seed is extracted from the black seeds of the plants. The oil has therapeutic properties and has been used in traditional medicines for a long time.

The Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine in 2013 published the therapeutic benefits of the Nigella sativa and termed it a miracle herb. (1) The research found that the medicinal benefits and uses of the black cumin seed oil are mainly due the presence of the bioactive component of the essential oil, thymoquinone.

Therapeutic Properties of Black Cumin Seed Essential Oil

1. Useful For Treating Several Diseases

Black seeds and black seed essential oil have therapeutic properties that are useful in treating a wide range of health related issues.

2. Useful For Treating Several Diseases

The peer-reviewed medical journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine published a study on the medical benefits of black cumin seed. The seed has been used for centuries for treating not just human ailments, but it is used to treat animals as well.

The study showed that the seed and its oil could tackle many ailments including chronic ones. Inflammatory conditions, diabetes and even cancer are some of the health conditions that can be tackled by the plant and its seed. Of course, more research (including human trials) is needed to corroborate most of these ailment treating properties. (2)

SUMMARY

A published research has shown that using black seed oil is good to ward off several long term ailments including diabetes and cancer.

3. It Has Antimicrobial Properties

In December 2017, the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences published a study on black cumin seed from Nigella sativa plant and its super constituent, thymoquinone. The study established that black cumin seed has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of microbial diseases because of its antimicrobial properties. (3)

4. Black Cumin Seed Essential Oil For Detox

There was a time when detoxification or detox was sidelined as a fad word. But with the plethora of studies it is evident that detox is not a fad but a necessity in the present world. The toxins and chemicals that everyone encounters in their daily lives must be periodically removed for good health and to avoid critical illnesses in the future. Detox is crucial because it reduces the toxins and strengthens the body. (4)

SUMMARY

Which oil to choose for detox? Black cumin seed oil is a good oil that can eliminate toxins and fortifies the body’s immune system.

5. Detox With Essential Oils

Aromatherapy massage with essential oil is one of the main methods of detoxifying the body. The oils are made up of compounds that have antimicrobial, diuretic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and other medicinal properties that help the body flush out toxins and boost the function of different body functions.

How To Detox With Black Cumin Seed Oil?

The best way to detox the body with black seed oil is through topical application. The oil should be applied topically on the whole body. If that is not possible, the oil should be applied on the important parts including the chest, lymphatic nodes, lower back, lower abdomen, joints and head.

• If the massage oil is used for the whole body then 20 to 30 drops of the essential oil of black seeds must be mixed with carrier oil for diluting it.
• Some of the popular carrier oils for whole body massage are coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, extra virgin olive oil, castor oil, sunflower oil and grape seed oil.
• The quantity of carrier oil must be at least 95% of the total mixture.
• Two carrier oils can also be combined for massaging.
• Now, apply the oil on the whole body and massage the skin with moderate pressure till the oil is absorbed.
• Allow the oil to be completely absorbed. So do not wipe the oil for at least an hour.
• Take a hot shower and feel relaxed.

Black Cumin Seed Benefits After Detox

For Lungs

The oil of black seed has an intense aroma that heals the lungs and boosts the immune functioning. A randomized controlled double blind clinical trial done in 2020 and published in the Heliyon showed that using black seed oil improved lung functions. (5) Detoxification led to better filling and stretching and lower inflammation in the lungs. This resulted in better oxygen exchange and also lowered the congestion in the airways.

For Heart

Performing detox with black seed oil improves the heart function and reduces cholesterol. The Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2018 published a study that evaluated the effect of black seed on cardiovascular health. It reported the positive effect of black cumin seed on cardiotoxicity and hypertension.

It reported that using the oil and its constituents could lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It attributes this to the oil’s antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. (6) 

While doing black cumin seed oil detox, make sure to massage along the length of the nerves and arteries. It helps unclog the arteries. There were other studies that concluded that the oil could lower high blood pressures.

SUMMARY

Black seed oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are useful in improving cardiovascular health. Studies have proven these benefits.

For Liver

The organic plant oil can improve liver function by getting rid of toxins. The oil has hepatoprotective properties and is used to correct irregularities of sugar levels in the blood. The anti-inflammatory properties of black cumin seed oil improve liver function and prevent liver diseases and shield its tissues from damage.

The hypotriglyceridemic and hepatoprotective functions of black seed oil have been studied in a research published in March 2021 in Journal of Functional Foods. (7)

Studies on the active ingredient thymoquinone have concluded that it is effective against fungal infection toxins such as aflatoxin. It prevents hepatotoxicity by providing protection from antibiotics and metals. In 2017, the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research published a study that reviews the protective and antidotal properties of the oil. (8)

Conclusion

Detoxification of the body every now and then is a good healthy practice that keeps the body protected from long term ailments. Using black cumin seed oil for detoxification is an excellent choice because several studies have proven the therapeutic benefits that this oil has for the body and its functions.