Some of you may be wondering what we’re doing talking about black seed oil on a blog about Arabic. Well, the truth is, Arabs have touted the uses of black seed oil for centuries. After all, the oil is taken from a plant that is native to southwest Asia. (That’s the Middle East for all of you who didn’t pay attention in geography class.) So, instead of learning about Arabic today, let’s explore they use black seed oil in Arab culture.
What is Black Seed Oil?
Black seed oil is extracted from the black seeds of Nigella sativa, commonly known as the fennel flower. As mentioned before, it is native to Southwest Asia. However, though its many beneficial uses were first discovered by Arabs, today it is used worldwide in traditional medicine. These include the treatment of diverse ailments and diseases such as skin problems and stomach issues.
There are many health benefits to using black seed oil. Here are just a few:
Adults with high blood pressure take note. In fact, studies have shown that taking a half teaspoon of black seed oil twice a day improves blood pressure. Scientists believe that it’s mainly due to its high thymoquinone content. A bioactive compound, thymoquinone reduces swelling which may be the reason it helps manage blood pressure better.
Full of polyunsaturated fatty acids, black seed oil which heightens the body’s “good” cholesterol and decreases the “bad”. Recent studies proved that taking three grams of black seed oil over time significantly reduced bad cholesterol in obese women. Another study showed similar results in those with type 2 diabetes. By taking three grams of black seed oil over time, there was a significant decrease in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Researches performed other studies where they gave black seed oil to both the obese and those with type 2 diabetes. The results showed that it help to greatly reduce their body mass index (BMI) when taken over time. Though scientists are unclear why, some researchers participants lost an average 4.4 pounds (2.1 kilograms) using black seed oil.
By learning how to apply black seed oil on faces, black seed oil can help improve acne. In fact, when it comes to reducing breakouts, black seed oil is just as effective as benzyl peroxide. Likewise, it may also treat other skin problems like eczema.
For men losing their hair, some researchers believe that black seed can stimulate hair growth. This is because it contains great amounts of proteins and fatty acids. These improve blood circulation which can boost blood circulation, and therefore, stimulate hair growth. What’s more for those suffering from low sperm count, black seed oil may increase in sperm count and mobility.
Black seed oil comes in both capsule and liquid forms. Most health food professionals suggest taking suggest 1 to 2 teaspoons daily. However, if you’ve never taken it before, it’s best to start off easy with ½ tsp per day, giving your body a chance to adjust.
What’s more, Some of you may be wondering when the best time to take black seed oil is. Researchers suggest taking it when you start seeing any of the symptoms mentioned above. However, like any medicine, it’s best to consult with your doctor first.
Though most people show no side-effects when taking black seed oil, there are those who should use it with caution.
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