Black Seed Oil Benefits

Black seed oil is a multivitamin with a multitude of nutrients. It contains vitamins A, B, B2, C and niacin. Other beneficial components to human health are iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, magnesium, selenium, linoleic acid and oleic acid. Broken down into its constituent nutrients, black seed oil contains approximately 20 percent protein, 40 percent carbohydrates and 35 percent polyunsaturated fatty acids. There are two essential compounds that have been identified to give the oil its wide-spectrum of medicinal characteristic: nigellone and thymoquinone. Their combined action helps address various types of ailments.

Respiratory Ailments

• The nigellone in black seed oil can help open up the lung's air passages and make a person breath easier. The oil is thus considered effective against respiratory ailments. Recommendations for use to relieve such types of sickness are varied and take on both external and internal forms of application. Against cough, asthma and bronchitis, the oil can be rubbed on the chest and back and dissolved in boiling water so the vapor can be inhaled or directly consumed via a 1/2 tsp. each morning. It can even be used through three to four medicine drops that are applied directly to the nasal passages to relieve congestion.

Allergies

• Antihistamines aid in relieving allergic reactions, and the nigellone in black seed oil has this property. In fact, proponents of the oil suggest it as a healthier and safer alternative to Western drugs that make use of cortisone. Traditional literature on black seed oil instructs that a person with allergies should take half a teaspoon twice daily when symptoms appear.

Spasms

• Another beneficial property of nigellone is that it is anti-spasmodic. Muscle spasms and cramps can be relieved or prevented by the application of black seed oil. The common method of applying the oil for such ailments is through massage, directly applied on the affected area. The oil is easily absorbed through the skin and quickly delivers relief. Suggestions for frequency are once in the morning and once at night before going to sleep. To render a general calming effect on the body, a teaspoon of the oil can be mixed in with a cup of chamomile tea, which is another herb known for its calming effect that can be drank at the end of the day.

Fever and Pain

• Thymoquinone, the other essential compound in black seed oil, has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The fever, pain and infections that come with the common cold can be relieved by a moderate intake of black seed oil. The application in such cases is similar to those used in treating respiratory ailments. Consumption would usually induce perspiration to help lower the fever. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory characteristic of the oil can also remedy various types of pain. Those caused by rheumatism for example are relieved through massaging the oil on the affected area. Even toothaches can be treated by gargline a teaspoon of the oil mixed in with some warm water.

Cleansing

• Thymoquinone is also an anti-oxidant, and such substances help flush out toxins that build up in the body. This and the considerable amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in the oil can contribute to achieving a general healthy state. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with good cholesterol; having more of this improves blood circulation. Black seed oil is known to remedy hypertension and other cardiac problems.