Immune System Health

Black seed oil (also called black caraway and black cumin seed) provides powerful support to the immune system. It’s an immune modulator, keeping the immune system in balance so it doesn’t overreact or underreact. Black seed oil also quenches dangerous inflammation and boosts appropriate immune function, resulting in enhanced protection against infections, while it also eases coughs, bronchitis symptoms, and colds.^{1 2 3}  New research is showing that via its  immune-regulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits, black seed oil is a powerful immune ally, especially when it comes to respiratory health.^{4 5}

Allergies & Asthma

Approximately 18 million Americans suffer from allergies, and close to 19 million suffer from asthma. These conditions can range from sheer annoyance to debilitating and life threatening. Studies show that thymoquinone produces a sharp reduction in inflammatory molecules that play a role in both asthma- and allergy-related symptoms.⁶⁷ A study of patients with allergic rhinitis produced promising results, showing that treatment with black seed oil resulted in a drastic decrease in IgE antibodies (antibodies that indicate an allergic response) in nasal secretions, as well as significant reductions in nasal congestion and itching, runny nose, and sneezing attacks.⁸

Studies also show that black seed oil is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to managing asthma. Black seed oil and thymoquinone itself, “trigger relaxation of the trachea and large airways (bronchi), both of which can go into spasm during an asthma attack.”^{9 10} Furthermore, a study of mice treated with black seed oil found reduced numbers of inflammatory cells in their lung tissue, “equivalent to those induced by dexamethasone, a potent, immune-suppressing steroid.”¹¹

Tonsillitis & Sinusitis

Another study showed that taking black seed oil for acute tonsillitis and sore throat, infections that are often viral in nature, significantly alleviated throat pain and reduced the need for pain killers.¹² Black seed oil also shines in the treatment of sinusitis. The results from one study showed its therapeutic potential in the treatment of sinusitis by its “…anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihistaminic, immune-modulator, antimicrobial, and analgesic effects. The oil can inhibit the inflammation of sinuses and respiratory airways, microbial infections, and finally help the patients suffering from clinical symptoms of sinusitis such as … nasal congestion, headache, neck pain, earache, and toothache,” according to the study’s findings.¹³

Cardiovascular Heath, Blood Sugar, & Weight Maintenance

Black seed oil neutralizes lipid (fat) oxidation and reduces the impact of oxidized LDL cholesterol, a major trigger for the atherosclerotic plaques that block blood flow and cause heart attacks and strokes.¹⁴ Studies have shown that black seed oil can improve the lipid profile and prevent cardiovascular diseases in both healthy people and hyperlipidemic patients. Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which there are high levels of fat particles, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood.¹⁵ It’s thought that black seed oil benefits cardiovascular health in part by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines and decreasing cholesterol production in the liver.¹⁶

Black seed oil also reduces high blood pressure. Results from a double-blind, eight-week study looking at the effects of N. sativa oil on hypertension showed that, at 2.5 mL twice a day, the oil-treated group had significantly decreased systolic and diastolic numbers compared with the baseline and placebo group at the end of the trial, without any adverse effects.¹⁷

Black seed oil, in combination with anti-diabetic drugs and statins, can also help diabetic patients control both dyslipidemia (abnormal levels of cholesterol or lipids in the blood) and blood sugar.¹⁸ A review of 13 clinical trials on the hypoglycemic effect of black seed oil, eight of which included patients with insulin resistance, found that the use of black seed decreased fasting blood sugar, insulin levels, and insulin resistance.^{19 20}

A common risk factor for cardiovascular disease is also body weight and one’s overall metabolic profile. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial of 90 obese women taking either black seed oil or a placebo for eight weeks resulted in significantly decreased weight and waist circumference in the women taking black seed oil compared to the placebo group. There was also a significant decline in triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels in the black seed oil group compared to the placebo group.²¹

With its wide-ranging health benefits, black seed oil is worth adding to your supplement repertoire, so it can come to the rescue whenever you need it!

References

1. Majdalawieh AF, Hmaidan R, Carr RI. Nigella sativa modulates splenocyte proliferation, Th1/Th2 cytokine profile, macrophage function and NK anti-tumor activity. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Sep 15;131(2):268-75. Epub 2010 Jun 30.
2. Black Seed - A Natural Immune System Booster. www.nutrab.com/blogs/nutrabee/black-seed-a-natural-immune-system-booster.
3. H;, Amin B;Hosseinzadeh. “Black Cumin (Nigella Sativa) and Its Active Constituent, Thymoquinone: An Overview on the Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects.” Planta Medica, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26366755/.
4. Kulyar, Muhammad Fakhar-e-Alam, et al. “Potential Influence of Nagella Sativa (Black Cumin) in Reinforcing Immune System: a Hope to Decelerate the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Phytomedicine, Elsevier GmbH., 10 July 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7347483/.
5. Bouchentouf, S., Missoum, N., 2020. Identification of Compounds from Nigella Sativa as New Potential Inhibitors of 2019 Novel Coronasvirus (Covid-19): Molecular Docking Study.
6. El Gazzar M, El Mezayen R, Marecki JC, Nicolls MR, Canastar A, Dreskin SC. Anti-inflammatory effect of thymoquinone in a mouse model of allergic lung inflammation. Int Immunopharmacol. 2006 Jul;6(7):1135-42.
7. El Gazzar M, El Mezayen R, Nicolls MR, Marecki JC, Dreskin SC. Downregulation of leukotriene biosynthesis by thymoquinone attenuates airway inflammation in a mouse model of allergic asthma. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2006 Jul;1760(7):1088-95.
8. Nikakhlagh S, Rahim F, Aryani FH, Syahpoush A, Brougerdnya MG, Saki N. Herbal treatment of allergic rhinitis: the use of Nigella sativa. Am J Otolaryngol. 2011 Sep-Oct;32(5):402-7.
9. Abbas AT, Abdel-Aziz MM, Zalata KR, Abd Al-Galel Tel D. Effect of dexamethasone and Nigella sativa on peripheral blood eosinophil count, IgG1 and IgG2a, cytokine profiles and lung inflammation in murine model of allergic asthma. Egypt J Immunol. 2005;12(1):95-102.
10. Al-Majed AA, Daba MH, Asiri YA, Al-Shabanah OA, Mostafa AA, El-Kashef HA. Thymoquinone-induced relaxation of guinea-pig isolated trachea. Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 2001;110(5-6):333-45.
11. Abbas AT, Abdel-Aziz MM, Zalata KR, Abd Al-Galel Tel D. Effect of dexamethasone and Nigella sativa on peripheral blood eosinophil count, IgG1 and IgG2a, cytokine profiles and lung inflammation in murine model of allergic asthma. Egypt J Immunol. 2005;12(1):95-102.
12. M Dirjomuljono, I Kristyono, R Tjandrawinata, D Nofiarny. Symptomatic treatment of acute tonsillo-pharyngitis patients with a combination of Nigella sativa and Phyllanthus niruri extract. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2008 Jun;46(6):295-306. PMID: 18541126
13. Mahboubi, Mohaddese. “Natural Therapeutic Approach of Nigella Sativa (Black Seed) Fixed Oil in Management of Sinusitis.” Integrative Medicine Research, Elsevier, Mar. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5884000/.
14. Nader MA, el-Agamy DS, Suddek GM. Protective effects of propolis and thymoquinone on development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Arch Pharm Res. 2010 Apr;33(4):637-43. Epub 2010 Apr 27.
15. “Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia).” Www.heart.org, www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/prevention-and-treatment-of-….
16. Asgary S, Sahebkar A, Goli-malekabadi N. Ameliorative effects of Nigella sativa on dyslipidemia. J Endocrinol Invest. 2015;38(10):1039–46. doi: 10.1007/s40618-015-0337-0.
17. Fallah Huseini H;Amini M;Mohtashami R;Ghamarchehre ME;Sadeqhi Z;Kianbakht S;Fallah Huseini A; “Blood Pressure Lowering Effect of Nigella Sativa L. Seed Oil in Healthy Volunteers: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.” Phytotherapy Research : PTR, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23436437/.
18. Tavakkoli, Alireza, et al. “Review on Clinical Trials of Black Seed (Nigella Sativa ) and Its Active Constituent, Thymoquinone.” Journal of Pharmacopuncture, The Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute (KPI), Sept. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5633670/.
19. Written by Editor Updated on 15th January 2019, and Editor. “Glycosylated Haemoglobin & Diabetes. HbA1c Facts, Units, Diagnosis, Testing Frequency, Limitations, Control & Conversion. How Blood Glucose Levels Link to A1c.” Diabetes, 2 July 2020, www.diabetes.co.uk/what-is-hba1c.html.
20. Tavakkoli, Alireza, et al. “Review on Clinical Trials of Black Seed (Nigella Sativa ) and Its Active Constituent, Thymoquinone.” Journal of Pharmacopuncture, The Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute (KPI), Sept. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5633670/.
21. Mahdavi, Reza, et al. Effects of Nigella Sativa Oil with a Low-Calorie Diet on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Obese Women: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. June 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26029855.