NIGELLA SATIVA

Our Hero Ingredient

"The black seed can heal every disease except death"
~ Prophet Muhammed, The Quran

With their many names (including black seed, black cumin & kalonji) these tiny black seeds, and their oil, have been used as a medicinal remedy and to maintain health for thousands of years.

In fact, it was so revered in the time of the Ancient Egyptians, that King Tutankhamun was buried with a vat of Black Seeds in his tomb. And, Egyptian Goddesses Cleopatra and Nefertiti were said to use Black Seed oil in their beauty routines.

Nigella sativa

the plant

As part of the Buttercup Family, Nigella sativa is a hardy flowering plant thought to be native to the Aegean and its adjacent regions - ie Eastern Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa.

Black Seeds for Skincare - Oasis Black Organic Botanical Skincare featuring Black Seeds
Black Seeds for Skincare - All Natural, Organic and Nutrient Dense Skincare - Oasis Black Organic Botanical Skincare featuring Black Seeds
Nigella sativa

the seeds

The seeds are slightly bitter in taste and have been used for millennia as both a spice (traditionally used on top of Turkish bread), as a natural medicine, and in practices like Ayurveda to help treat a large range of diseases and ailments.

Black Seeds for Skincare - Oasis Black Organic Botanical Skincare featuring Black Seeds
ANTIOXIDANT POWERHOUSE

the magic

Containing one of the world’s richest natural sources of THYMOQUINONE (a powerhouse antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound), Black Seeds possess an impressive array of vitamins, minerals, proteins as well as a extremely high concentration of antioxidants and essential fatty acids.

It is thought that the unique combination of these components work in synergy to give Black Seeds the power behind their tremendous potency and function.

benefits for the skin

In addition to being a potent source of free-radical fighting antioxidants, Black Seed Oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids (namely omega 3, 6 and 9) which help to fortify and protect the skin's natural lipid barrier, retain moisture and promote elasticity.

The potent combination of vitamins, minerals, antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral) and anti-inflammatory properties of Black Seed Oil see this natural powerhouse also help improve wound healing, reduce blemishes, minimise the appearance of scars and combat the visible signs of aging.

Plus, this study entitled "Thymoquinone, extract from Nigella sativa seeds, protects human skin keratinocytes against UVA-irradiated oxidative stress, inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction" showed thymoquinone's preventive effects on photoaging.

This study showed that "Nigella might have the same efficacy as Betamethasone in improvement of life quality and decreasing severity of hand eczema."

And this study showed that Nigella sativa "has many pharmacological effects as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing effect and also for acne vulgaris, skin cancer, pigmentation, and many cosmeceutical applications."

Whilst it's impossible to list all the benefits of Nigella Seed Oil here, we hope this snippet provides you with enough to help you understand why these magical tiny Black Seeds are the hero ingredient for all of our Organic Skincare products.

the science

With a plethora of benefits for the skin, hair, body and immune system, Nigella sativa is one of the few ancient remedies that is becoming increasingly backed by scientific research.

There are thousands of studies that have been published on Nigella Sativa and its constituents.

This study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology in 2021 (link below) provides a good summary of some of the traditional uses of Black Seeds, as well as modern day studies conducted on the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiaging, anticancer, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, antiobesity and neurological properties of Nigella sativa, and thymoquinone.

It also discusses the studies conducted on various skin diseases including, but not limited to psoriasis, skin itchiness, blemishes, eczema and other difficult skin conditions.

Another good summary of the studies showing the many conditions Black Seeds can help with is available in this blog.

Given that there are very few known toxic effects1, 2, 3 associated with Black Seeds, it’s little wonder why these miraculous tiny black seeds have been used so extensively throughout history to remedy so many different conditions.

Thankfully, Western Medicine has finally caught up to traditional systems of medicine (like Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha and Tibb) with the Therapeutic Goods Administration here in Australia formally recognising and accepting Black Seed Oil as a listed medicine in March 2020.

Antioxidant
Anti-Inflammatory
Anti-Allergy
Immune Support
Skin & Hair Support
Blood Sugar Regulation
Anti-Cancer
Cardio-Protective
Anti-Diabetic
Anti-Obesity
Neuro-Protective
Antimicrobial
Anti-psoriasis
Anti-Eczema
Blemish control

*Oasis Black products have not been studied for medicinal benefits.