.png)
.png)
Which Brand of Black Seed Oil Should I Buy is the question I found myself asking after a recent trip to Sprouts. If you have been anywhere on #healthytok than you have heard of Black Seed Oil. It's been touted as a miracle oil that needs to be in everyone's pantry and the reasoning behind it varies. The advice is often by someone dressed in scrubs which creates instant trust or someone who is living a more "holistic" lifestyle but still lacks the detail to help you make decisions on if you need it for you and your family or not.
While standing in an aisle at Sprouts, I found myself thinking "how can I tell if I am getting what I am paying for". Herbal remedies can sometimes be pricey so you want to choose wisely. I spent way too much time reading every ingredient list and then just picking one. (Please don't be like me) When I got home I realized that I needed more information to actually make a better decision and so in comes the rabbit hole I went down to learn more about Black Seed Oil.
The rest of this article brings you along with me as I discover the following:
Black Seed Oil can be referred to as the Holy Grail of medicial herbs. It goes by many names from many cultures all giving reverence to its many benefits. One of the main active chemicals in Black Seed Oil is Thymoquinone (TQ). This is the chemical that most pharmacological studies investigate and a worthwhile investigation it is. While researching Black Seed Oil I found the below list in several studies on its suggested and proven benefits. Here we go:
When I turned over my first bottle of Black Seed Oil to see what was inside I saw in the nutritional label "extracted from the Nigella Sativa plant" and that's when I realized I forgot my first rule of herbal medicine. Rule #1 know plants by their botanical name because the common name can be deceiving. This made me wonder if there are other oils that people are using to create black seed oil from and thats when I quickly googled and found out there is also oil from black cumin or black caraway.
Nigella sativa and Bunium bulbocastanum, both known as black seeds, share similar names and appearances but differ in botanical origin, flavor, and culinary use. Nigella sativa, commonly referred to as black cumin or black seed, belongs to the Ranunculaceae family and has a distinctive earthy, slightly bitter taste. It has been used for centuries in various culinary and medicinal applications across the Middle East and South Asia. On the other hand, Bunium bulbocastanum, often called black cumin or black caraway, is a member of the Apiaceae family and possesses a milder, sweeter flavor profile. It is primarily utilized in traditional European cuisine and has subtle differences in aroma and taste compared to Nigella sativa, making it a unique ingredient in regional dishes. These distinctions in botanical origin are important and when people are referring to the benefits from black seed oil they are talking about Nigella Sativa.
As I dug in further I saw that some companies were labeling their Black Seed Oil by the country of origin of the seed. I wondered if this mattered or not. Are other countries producing better seeds than others. I even saw claims that companies were using seeds from countries with lower quality herbs. After looking it up for myself I realized that it can be problematic to claim one countries seed is better than another.
Most farmers in these countries are making their livelihoods off of these crops. Of course seeds will differ country to country because the soil is different in different parts of the world. What is truly important is whether the seed used is organic or not. So whether you buy Egyptian, Ethiopian, Mediterranean/Turkish they are all farmers just trying to feed their families and grow the worlds spices.
The best extraction method for Black Seed Oil is typically cold-pressing or cold-extraction. Cold-pressing involves mechanically pressing the seeds at low temperatures (usually below 120°F or 49°C) to extract the oil. This method is favored because it preserves the oil's natural compounds, including its potent antioxidants and beneficial phytochemicals. Cold-pressed Black Seed Oil retains its nutritional value and aromatic qualities. Cold pressing avoids the use of heat or chemicals, ensuring that the oil remains free from harmful residues and maintains its purity. When shopping for Black Seed Oil make sure it says cold-pressed.
While Black Seed Oil is rich in various beneficial compounds, you can choose to complement its absorption with other vitamins or herbs to optimize its efficacy. For instance, taking Black Seed Oil with a source of healthy fat, such as olive oil or avocado, may enhance its absorption since some of its bioactive components are fat-soluble. Or taking it with honey to mask the taste and add to its antioxidant properties. Additionally, pairing it with a vitamin C-rich food or supplement can potentially boost absorption. However, it's important to note that Black Seed Oil is already a potent substance on its own, and its absorption can vary from person to person so it's perfectly ok to take it by itself.
I searched high and low to figure out what are the best brands of Black Seed Oil and what I realized is there isn't one superior product over the rest. But, there are some very important things to you want to look for in your Black Seed Oil. The following is that list:
I know this doesn't magically give you the easy answer that will allow you to click yes and buy but, that isn't what this article is about. Hopefully you now feel armed and informed to make the best decision you can for your family when considering buying Black Seed Oil.
*This is not medical advice, please consult a doctor before use.
Sources & Continued Reading:
https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2015/vol4issue4/PartB/4-3-79.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387230/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3642442/
https://journalofeconomicstructures.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40008-020-00198-1
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/1784
