His story
Nigella sativa is also known as black cumin. The flowers of the plant produce small fruits from which small black seeds emerge, which are then cold-pressed to obtain this essential oil. This medicinal plant is rich in history; its merits were already praised at the time of the pharaohs of Egypt. It has been traditionally and clinically used in the treatment of several diseases for a very long time in Arab countries and is also very popular in Ayurvedic medicine. It has a wide range of activities and many properties that scientists are discovering over the years.
Its composition
Among its ingredients, it contains nutritional components such as carbohydrates, lipids (3,6,9 fatty acids), vitamins, minerals and proteins, including eight of the nine essential amino acids.
Among its activities
Several published studies have revealed its activities, including the following: 1
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial
- Antifungal
- Antihelminthic
- Antioxidant
- Antiproliferative
- Proapoptotic
- Antiepileptic
- Improvement of artherogenesis
- Antidiabetic
- Antitumor
- Antimicrobial
- Lipid profile dysfunction
Some studies conducted on specific skin conditions
Psoriasis
A study claims that the antiproliferative properties of 95% ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa seeds has antipsoriatic activity and its external application is beneficial in the management of psoriasis. 2
Other studies support its effectiveness on this condition. 3,4,5,6
Eczema
Regarding the severity of hand eczema, a comparative study7 was conducted between black seed and Betamethasone (synthetic corticosteroid) and Eucerin (moisturizing cream). Sixty patients were recruited, divided into 3 groups (between 18 and 60 years old), who applied the medication twice daily and were followed for a period of 4 weeks. The primary outcome of the study was changes in severity and quality of life, which were assessed at baseline, 14th and 28th days of the study by the Hand Eczema Severity Index and the Dermatological Quality of Life Index.
Black seed and Betamethasone showed significantly faster improvement in hand eczema compared to Eucerin. In conclusion, it appears that Black seed has the same efficacy as Betamethasone in improving quality of life and reducing the severity of hand eczema.
Acne vulgaris
A 2010 study aimed to use Nigella sativa oil as a natural herbal remedy in the treatment of acne vulgaris. This randomized controlled therapeutic study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology at Baghdad University Hospital, Iraq, between October 2005 and April 2006. Group A was instructed to use the black seed oil lotion twice a day for two months, while the other group used a control solution. As a result, 81% of patients completed the study. In Group A, there was a significant reduction in the average number of papules and pustules after two months of treatment. The patients' response to the treatment was good in 58% of cases, moderate in 35% of cases, and none in 7% of cases. While in Group B, the lesions did not show a significant reduction after 2 months. The study concludes that: Nigella sativa oil lotion has proven its effectiveness as a topical treatment for acne vulgaris, that it is a new natural plant extract, which has no side effects. 8
Vitigilo
The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of topical Nigella sativa seed oil on patients with vitiligo. Thirty-three patients with vitiligo were included in the study. A total of 47 areas were evaluated in all patients. A cream containing Nigella sativa seed oil was applied topically to the hands, face, and genital area twice daily for 6 months. Statistically significant repigmentation was detected in all three treatment areas. Conclusion: Nigella sativa can be used as an adjuvant therapy that can contribute to treatment, especially in sensitive skin areas. 9
Other benefits also concerning black cumin seeds
A meta-analysis demonstrated the beneficial effects of Nigella sativa on fasting glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL and LDL levels. 10
Another review mentions this in its conclusion: The results suggest that the combined administration of Nigella sativa and exercise programs could be used as an effective adjuvant to oral antidiabetic drugs in the control of diabetes. 11
The efficacy and safety of black cumin (Nigella sativa) oil were reviewed here for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Nigella sativa seed oil appears to be safe and to improve liver steatosis and injury as well as blood triglyceride, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 12
References:
1. Zahra Gholamnezhad, Shahrzad Havakhah, Mohammad Hossein Boskabady. Preclinical and clinical effects of Nigella sativa and its constituent, thymoquinone: A review Elsevier, Journal of Ethnopharmacology Volume 190, 22 August 2016, Pages 372-386. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874116304214
2. Dwarampudi LP, Palaniswamy D, Nithyanantham M, Raghu PS. Antipsoriatic activity and cytotoxicity of ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa seeds. Pharmacogn Mag. 2012 Oct;8(32):268-72. doi:10.4103/0973-1296.103650. PMID: 24082629; PMCID: PMC3785163. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24082629/
3. Michalsen A, Eddin O, Salama A. A case series of the effects of a novel composition of a traditional natural preparation for the treatment of psoriasis. J Tradit Complement Med. 2015;6(4):395-398.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5067857/
4. Ahmed Jawad H., Ibraheem Azhar Y., Al-Hamdi Khalil. Evaluation of efficacy, safety and antioxidant effect of Nigella sativa in patients with psoriasis: A randomized clinical trial. JCEI / 2014; 5 (2): 186-193 Journal of Clinical and Experimental Investigations doi: 10.5799/ahinjs.01.2014.02.0387 https://www.jceionline.org/download/evaluation-of-efficacy-safety-and-antioxidant-effect-of-nigella-sativa-in-patients-with-psoriasis-a-3557.pdf
5. Mohamad Ali Rida, Dafna D. Gladman. Case Report of Refractory Psoriatic Arthritis Achieving Remission Using Nigella sativa (Black Seed Oil) Extract. The Journal of Rheumatology Aug 2020, 47 (8) 1297; DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.191292. https://www.jrheum.org/content/47/8/1297
6. Michalsen A, Eddin O, Salama A. A case series of the effects of a novel composition of a traditional natural preparation for the treatment of psoriasis. J Tradit Complement Med. 2015;6(4):395-398.
7. Yousefi M, Barikbin B, Kamalinejad M, et al. Comparison of therapeutic effect of topical Nigella with Betamethasone and Eucerin in hand eczema. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013;27(12):1498-504.
8. Abdul-Ameer, N., Al-Harchan, H., 2010. Treatment of acne vulgaris with Nigella Sativa oil lotion. Iraq. Postgraduate. Med. J.2, 140–143.
9. Sarac G, Kapicioglu Y, et al. Effectiveness of topical Nigella sativa for vitiligo treatment. Dermatol Ther. 2019;32(4): e12949.
10. Hallajzadeh J, Milajerdi A, Mobini M, Amirani E, Azizi S, Nikkhah E, Bahadori B, Sheikhsoleimani R, Mirhashemi SM. Effects of Nigella sativa on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and biomarkers of inflammatory and oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Phytother Res. 2020 Oct;34(10):2586-2608. doi:10.1002/ptr.6708. Epub 2020 May 11. PMID: 32394508. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32394508/
11. Alyami HH, Al-Hariri MT. Synergistic Effects of Nigella sativa and Exercise on Diabetic Profiles: A Systematic Review. Diabetes Ther. 2023 Mar;14(3):467-478. doi:10.1007/s13300-022-01362-5. Epub 2023 Jan 16. PMID: 36645572; PMCID: PMC9841958. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36645572/
12. Khonche A, Huseini HF, Gholamian M, Mohtashami R, Nabati F, Kianbakht S. Standardized Nigella sativa seed oil ameliorates hepatic steatosis, aminotransferase and lipid levels in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Ethnopharmacol. 2019 Apr 24; 234:106-111. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.01.009. Epub 2019 Jan 11. PMID: 30639231. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30639231/
Maison Jacynthe disclaims all liability. All information contained on this page is not intended to replace justified allopathic treatment or to disregard the expertise of the medical profession. It is up to each individual to take charge of their own health, to inform themselves, and to make the necessary changes to improve their condition. Therapeutic supervision by a qualified health professional is obviously recommended.
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