Viridian Organic High Potency Black Seed Oil 50ml

What does Organic Black Seed Oil and Seed?

Nigella Sativa

For over two thousand years black seed, a plant from the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family, has been traditionally used by various cultures throughout the world as a natural remedy for several diseases, ailments and to improve health in general. The ancient Egyptians used black seed and described it as a panacea (cure for many problems and diseases). Tutankamun even had a bottle of the oil in his tomb.

The great Persian thinker and physician, ‘Ibn Senna’, known in the West as Avicenna, who wrote the great medical treatise 'The Canon of Medicine', referred to black seed as a seed ‘that stimulates the body's energy and helps recovery from fatigue’. In Islamic literature, it is considered one of the greatest natural forms of healing medicine.

Nigella Sativa originates from Western Asia and is a herb that grows about 16-24 inches in height and has white flowers when in bloom. The deep black, sharp-cornered rectangular seeds (no longer than 3 mm) are the part of the plant that is used for the preparation of products.

• ANTI-INFLAMMATORY – Nigella sativa has been shown to posses both anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Thymoquinone (TQ) is one of the major active components and it is believed to be involved in the anti-inflammatory actions of black seed. It has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on COX-1 and PGE2 production as well as inhibiting eicosanoid generation and membrane lipid peroxidation through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathways. Nigella sativa oil has been shown to have positive results in patients with arthritis, whereby 500mg twice daily for a month significantly improved disease activity score as well as the incidence of swollen joints and morning stiffness.

• ANTI-ALLERGIC - An assessment of four studies including a total of 152 patients with allergic diseases (allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, atopic eczema) were treated with Nigella sativa oil, given in capsules at a dose of 40 to 80 mg/kg/day. The following laboratory parameters were investigated: IgE, eosinophil count, endogenous cortisol in plasma and urine, ACTH, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol and lymphocyte subpopulations. The score of subjective feeling decreased over the course of treatment with black seed oil in all four studies. Black seed oil therefore proved to be an effective adjuvant for the treatment of allergic diseases.5 A prospective double blind study investigating the anti- inflammatory effects of Nigella sativa oil on patients with allergic rhinitis found that after 30 days of taking 0.5ml of the oil, there was a noted reduction in nasal congestion, runny and itchy nose and sneezing.

   

ANTI-MICROBIAL - A number of in vitro studies have highlighted the antimicrobial properties of Nigella sativa against various gram-positive bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus which is believed to be due to the naturally occurring Thymoquinone in the seed and oil.  A study was conducted on subjects diagnosed with the gastric infection H.Pylori. The subjects were supplemented with 500mg of Nigella sativa seed twice daily. Results showed a significant improvement in dyspeptic symptoms and eradicated the infection in 67% of the subjects, close to that of the standard medical triple therapy option.

BLOOD GLUCOSE – Nigella sativa maybe beneficial as an add-on therapy in patients with insulin resistance. In one study, 2000 mg of the seeds were provided to subjects with type-2 diabetes alongside their anti-diabetic medication for three months. Results showed a significant reduction in FBG, 2hPG, and HbA1c as well as fasting blood glucose.11 In vivo studies suggest that Nigella sativa may have this benefit to blood sugar control as it exerts an insulin-sensitizing action by enhancing ACC phosphorylation, a major component of the insulin-independent AMPK signalling pathway, and by enhancing muscle Glut4 content.

A long-term study over one year found that supplementing with Nigella sativa seeds at two grams daily significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance while increasing beta-cell activity.

• COGNITIVE HEALTH – Nigella sativa has also demonstrated health benefits in regards to cognitive health and memory. Elderly volunteers were given 500mg of Nigella sativa seed twice daily for nine weeks and were tested with a number of neuropsychological tests. The outcome showed an improvement in all formats of tests suggesting that Nigella sativa may improve cognitive function.

• CARDIOVASCULAR SUPPORT - A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out on patients with mild hypertension. Supplementation with Nigella Sativa at 100mg twice daily for 8 weeks. Results showed a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 4 weeks of supplementing with nigella sativa compared to placebo as well as a reduction in total and LDL cholesterol.

  Beneficial effect was also seen in a study of overweight females who underwent aerobic training alone or alongside Nigella sativa seed at 2000mg daily for 8 weeks. Those under the training program alongside supplementation had a significant beneficial influence of the LDL:HDL ratio. The mechanism behind this benefit to cardiovascular health is assumed to be partly due to the antioxidant activity of the Nigella sativa extract. The essential oil of Nigella sativa seed has antioxidant property that makes it useful for treating cardiovascular disorders.

  Dosage range:

  Organic Black seed capsules – 1-2 capsules, once to twice daily with food.
  Organic Black seed oil – 1-3 tsp (5-15ml) per day. Can be used topically as a massage oil, and as a chest rub for respiratory support.

  Potential applications: H.Pylori infection, allergies, eczema, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, cardiovascular health, hypertension, blood glucose control, cognitive health, arthritis, inflammatory joint conditions.

  Known contraindications: Black seed oil is not recommended for use during pregnancy or lactation. Consumption of the seeds and oil are very safe however contact dermatitis has been reported with use of the black seed oil topically in very rare cases.

  Useful links for Organic Black Seed Oil:

  Allergy and respiratory support – Elecampane, Quercetin B5 plus complex, bromelain, pycnogenol. Cardiovascular health – Resveratrol and magnesium.