Hab Shifa Trade - Black Seed Science

Black Seed Science

The Science of Black Seed

Black Seed Oil has a plethora of benefits to the body, hair, and immune system. This unassuming little aromatic seed has been revered for centuries as a remedy to restore the body’s natural balance, strengthen its defences and to treat many chronic diseases.

There has been an increasing amount of research in support of the healing effects of Black Seed, something that has been assumed for centuries, but can now be proven scientifically. Black Seed is now known to have many beneficial effects, mainly due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

Black seed and allergies

Black Seed Oil is a well-known, natural alternative for managing allergies.

With proven antihistamine properties, the two active constituents in Black Seed Oil- Nigellone and TQ, have been found to assist the body’s defence system, control allergic reactions and provide significant relief from the many symptoms of allergies.

A 2008 study has shown that nigellone has antihistaminic and bronchodilation properties, specifically providing an antispasmodic effect and clearing away mucus in allergy sufferers, as well as providing relief for asthma. TQ has anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties, as well as anti-asthmatic and anti-allergic properties. Together, these active constituents in Black Seed have been shown to reduce inflammation and offer symptomatic relief to allergy sufferers.

Black seed and immunity

Black Seed has been shown to increase the body’s immune response to infections and fungal diseases, and helps to reduce the symptoms of allergic responses, inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders.

Skin & Hair Support

Black Seed’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune supporting properties have been shown to reduce hair loss and thinning hair, as well as to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis and eczema.

Blood sugar and heart health

Black Seed Oil has been shown to be effective for the treatment of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that increases the risk of stroke, heart disease and diabetes. When compared to a placebo, Black Seed resulted in reduced levels of BMI, body fat, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose.

A 2016 study has found that Black Seed Oil has been shown to not only improve the body’s ability to regulate glucose, but it also plays a significant role in treating the complications of diabetes, such as cardiovascular problems.

Gastroenterology

Black Seed has been proven to significantly improve the symptoms of functional dyspepsia, decrease the inflammatory responses and bacterial loads involved in intestinal obstruction, improve gastric ulcers, and assist in the treatment of colitis.

Respiratory Health

Due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, Black Seed helps to treat colds, flu and sinusitis, as well as asthma and bronchial inflammation.

Immunity support

Despite medicine’s relentless fight against infections, we are increasingly seeing the emergence of multi-resistant pathogens that cannot be treated with current antibiotics. These resistant pathogens increase the load of the immune system that is our primary defence against illness and infection.

Much of the clinical research into Black Seed has focused on its antioxidant properties, which reduces the effects of free radical damage, helping the body to heal itself. Research has also shown that TQ or Thymoquinone, is one of the most important chemical compounds contained in Black Seed Oil. Studies have shown this compound has hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, & antioxidant effects and effectively acts as an antimicrobial agent to modulate the immune response, support the immune system and help to prevent infections.

Ingredients

Black Seed has more than 100 known constituents and over time, more are sure to be discovered. So far, we know that Black Seed contains between 34.4% to 38.7% by weight of a crude oil (Salem, 2001), whilst pure pressed Black Seed Oil is composed of approximately 98.2% to 99.9% of fixed oil, and about 0.1% to 1.8% of volatile oil (Edris, 2011)

Fixed Oils

It is important to remember that the quantities of the volatile oil in Black Seed varies, depending on the origins of the seed and the conditions under which it has been grown.

Thymoquinone (TQ) has been identified as the main active constituent in Black Seed and has not been found anywhere else in nature. TQ has been extensively studied and has been found to possess excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity.

Other important volatile oils include: dithymoquinone (nigellone), thymohydroquinone, p-cymene, carvacrol, 4-terpineol, t-anethol, sesquiterpene longifolene, α-pinene and thymol

(Ahmad et al 2013)

Volatile oils

Black Seed contains essential and unsaturated fatty acids and is a rich source of omega-6 fatty acids comprising approximately 58% linoleic acid (also found in flaxseed and evening primrose oil). It also contains carbohydrates, proteins, fibre, vitamins and minerals (predominantly potassium, phosphorus, sodium and iron).