It’s hard to even know where to begin with Black Seed Oil (nigella sativa), since it is said to “cure everything but death.” While that sounds just a tad extraordinary for something most people have never even heard of, the research is compelling. Far from something new, this ancient oil dates back at least 3,300 years. Found in Tutankhamen’s tomb and well known in South Asia and the Middle East, black cumin is known in Arabic cultures as “the seed of blessing.” However, it does come with various warnings as well. Read on to learn more!

The list of benefits read more like a miracle than a blessing.

According to Sayer Ji of Green Med: “Well over 40 health conditions may be benefited from the use of the herb, including over 20 distinct pharmacological actions it expresses, such as:

• Analgesic (Pain-Killing)
• Anti-Bacterial
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Anti-Ulcer
• Anti-Cholinergic
• Anti-Fungal
• Ant-Hypertensive
• Antioxidant
• Antispasmodic
• Antiviral
• Bronchodilator
• Gluconeogenesis Inhibitor (Anti-Diabetic)
• Hepatoprotective (Liver Protecting)
• Hypotensive
• Insulin Sensitizing
• Interferon Inducer
• Leukotriene Antagonist
• Renoprotective (Kidney Protecting)”

If your head is not spinning after reading that list – buckle up, it gets even more amazing. In addition, according to Dr Axe, a common and growing problem in hospitals are the “strains of bacteria and viruses that are antimicrobial-resistant that are becoming virtually impossible to treat; including HIV, staphylococcal, tuberculosis, influenza, gonorrhea, candida, and malaria.”

A study by Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College to determine how effective black seed oil is against these super-bugs, compared it to antibiotics such as Amoxicillin, Gatifloxacin and Tetracycline. According to the study, “Out of 144 strains tested, most of which were resistant to a number of antibiotics, 97 were inhibited by the oil of black cumin.”

Do you hear angels? Not yet? O.K. how about this? According to John Thomas of Health Impact News: “Black cumin seed oil and its extract thymoquinone have powerful benefits for various inflammatory diseases including liver cancer, melanoma skin cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, bone cancer, stomach cancer, lymphoma, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and brain cancer. [1]”

Other sources claim the blessed oil as a treatment for common discomforts such as:

• headaches
• toothaches
• Congestion
• Colds and flu
• Digestive and gastrointestinal problems
• Hair and skin problems (psoriasis, eczema, acne, boils, fungal infection )
• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Insomnia
• Muscle cramps

Warning: As with any supplement or remedy, you should consult with your physician before consuming or applying black seed oil.

Women who are pregnant should not take black seed oil for any purpose. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, it can affect the smooth muscle contractions of the uterus.

The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center also cautions that, “Black seed can lower blood pressure to the point of hypotension, especially if you’re currently taking a diuretic or antihypertensive medication. This can result in fatigue, nausea, blurred vision, shallow breathing, dizziness, lightheadedness and loss of consciousness. If blood pressure dips too low, it may be life-threatening.”

Thus, please make sure that you are consulting your health care provider before trying this oil.

More info on the healing power of black seed oil:

Activation Human Empowerment Uniquely Inspired – black cumin healing

Natural Society 10-benefits of black seed

Web MD – black seed, active ingredient

Home Remedies – black seed oil health benefits