How did Cleopatra maintain her famous locks and legendary complexion? How did Queen Nefertiti gain a reputation for her flawless face? What was Tutankhamun preparing for in the afterlife? The secrets to health and beauty around 3150 BC were a little harder to come by than popping down to your nearest salon, and yet we are fascinated by the legendary beauty of such historical figures to this day.
The answer may lie in the near-miraculous little seed of the Nigella Sativa plant, commonly known as Black Cumin or Black Seeds. Black Cumin Oil was widely used by the upper echelon of Egyptian society and was considered to be so valuable that Tutankhamun insisted on being entombed with a supply to take with him into the great beyond.
Beyond its beautifying properties, physicians in Pharaohs’ times also used Black Cumin Oil as a remedy for colds, headaches, digestive disorders, toothaches, infections, inflammatory disorders and allergies. So what is it about Black Cumin Oil that packs such a punch, and how does it compare to its modern day health and beauty counterparts?
The Nigella Sativa plant is native to south and southwest Asia. It is immediately identifiable by its pretty blue-white flowers with their almost translucent petals and the striking Black Cumin seeds which sprout right from their centre. The oil from the seeds is packed with active compounds, including crystalline Nigellone and Thymoquinone, which studies reveal may be useful in fighting even the most serious of health issues such as Cancer and Epilepsy (pending future research). Black Cumin Oil is also full of healthy acids, vitamins and minerals, including Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, proteins, vitamins B1, B2,B3, Calcium, Folate, Iron, Zinc and Phosphorous.
What can Black Cumin Oil do for you?
The benefits of Black Cumin Oil are seemingly endless, with new uses being researched and discovered every day. A few of the most commonly cited and most effective benefits include:
Improved digestion
The oil helps to decrease bloating, gas and stomach cramps, as well as relieve the discomfort and pain of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with its antispasmodic effects on the intestine.
Weight loss
Black Cumin Oil has also proven to be effective in controlling appetite and improving the rate of glucose absorption, resulting in significant reductions in body weight, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure when taken regularly.
Longer, stronger, shinier hair
Black Cumin Oil has been shown to strengthen hair as well as encourage hair growth. This is thought to be a result of the anti-microbial compounds and powerful antioxidants found in the oil that are known to strengthen hair follicles. The oil is also excellent for soothing dry or flaky scalps.
Nourished, vibrant skin
Packed with the vitamins and minerals that our skin loves, Black Cumin Oil effectively nourishes your skin by giving it what it needs to be healthy, naturally. The oil is also used to effectively treat problematic oily skin and clogged pores, while its essential fatty acids provide deep, lasting moisturisation. These fatty acids also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Immune System support
The powerful antioxidants and vitamins in Black Cumin Oil help to strengthen and support the immune system, helping to stave off flu and similar viruses.
Allergy relief
The same benefits that help to support the immune system, as well as the antihistamine effects of the oil, have also been found to successfully relieve various allergies.
Black Cumin Oil has many other well-documented benefits, most notably its use in effectively alleviating symptoms of arthritis, eczema, acne and psoriasis.
How to use Black Cumin Oil
It is important to ensure that you use a trusted, organic brand of Black Cumin Oil to ensure that you get an easily absorbed and truly effective dose that will deliver its many benefits. We recommend Crede Natural Oils’ Black Cumin Oil, from South Africa’s leading manufacturer of cold-pressed natural and organic oil.
One teaspoon of the oil once or twice daily is the recommended dosage. The oil has a dense, bitter taste, so it is best mixed into water, juice or warm tea at night, or into breakfast bowls, smoothies or yoghurt in the morning. It can also be mixed with raw honey to help boost the immune system during flu season. Black Cumin Oil is also newly available in capsule form from Crede Natural Oils.
The oil can also be used externally, with many choosing to add a small amount to face and body creams to treat their skin.
