Nigella vegetable oil: benefits and uses in cosmetics and natural health

Better known as Egyptian black cumin, nigella is an aromatic plant producing small black seeds similar to the poppy. Its vegetable oil, in addition to its cosmetic uses on sensitive skin, has many active ingredients with real therapeutic properties on the digestive, immune and respiratory levels. It is a multi-purpose vegetable oil as it can even be used to season your salads! Latin name: Nigella sativa L. Part used: seeds

Main properties

  • anti-inflammatory : Nigella oil has a proven anti-inflammatory property. It has an action as well on joint and muscle pain as on skin inflammation, such as psoriasis or eczema for example.
  • anti-infectious : the anti-infectious properties of Nigella oil have been widely studied. The thymoquinone it contains is responsible for its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal but also anti-parasitic and anti-viral properties. Analyses proved that the Nigella acted on bacteria responsible for food toxi-infections, germs Gram + such as Staphyloccocus aureus or epidermidis and against certain viruses and mushrooms as Candida tropicalis or Aspergillus flavus.
  • hepatoprotector, digestive protector: nigellin stimulates the digestive and intestinal systems. It also helps form a protective barrier for the liver. Studies conducted on mice have shown that it was able to reduce cholesterol and total lipids, urea levels or uric acid levels. Thymoquinone would allow a good protection of the liver cells against chemical agents responsible for liver problems.
  • broncho-dilator : this vegetable oil contains nigellone which acts by dilating the bronchi thus relieving asthma attacks and helping to fight against whooping cough. The latter also has histamine inhibiting properties to reduce allergic signs.
  • immunostimulant : this vegetable oil allows to modulate the natural defenses of the body against pathogenic germs. It could increase the number and improve the activity of immune cells.
  • Skin regenerator : it can be used in beauty oil for the face because it promotes cell regeneration. In addition, its content of polyphenols and thymoquinones gives it an anti-oxidant and healing power.
  • anti-oxidant : Nigella oil helps protect the body from oxidizing agents that could damage it. A study on the protective effects of Nigella oil after cyclosporine injection proved that the oil allowed a decrease in lipid peroxidation, as well as an improvement of antioxidant enzymes.

Characteristics and composition

Cosmetic characteristics
  • Skin type: dry, irritated, mature, acneic, sensitive.
  • Type of hair: hair loss, irritated scalp.

Organoleptic characteristics
  • Appearance: oily liquid
  • Color: yellow to brown
  • Odor: spicy.
  • Touch : bold.

Characteristics for the formulation
  • Unsaponifiable and active ingredients : vitamin E, nigellin, nigellone, thymoquinone.
  • Comedogenicity index : 1 (=low comedogenicity)
  • Average saponification value: 192
  • Oxidation stability: sensitive
  • Stability at high temperatures: sensitive
  • INCI name: Nigella Sativa Seed Oil

Fatty acid composition
  • linoleic acid (omega 6 PUFA) : 52 à 65 %
  • oleic acid (omega 9 MUFA) : 18 à 30 %
  • palmitic acid (SFA): 8 à 13 %
  • eicosadienoic acid (omega 6 PUFA): 1 à 3 %
  • stearic acid (SFA): 1.5 à 6 %
  • linolenic acid (omega 3 PUFA): ≤ 1 %
  • palmitoleic acid (omega 7 MUFA): ≤ 0.5 %

Physical characteristics
  • Density at 20°C: 0.900 à 0.925
  • Flash point : 175
  • Peroxide value: 60
  • Acid number : 10.000

Botanical characteristics
  • Botanical family: Ranunculaceae
  • Country of origin: Egypt.
  • Distilled part: seeds
  • Production process : first cold pressing
  • Latin name : Nigella sativa L.

Precautions for use

  • It is advisable to dilute Nigella oil in another vegetable oil for application to the most sensitive skins.
  • By oral route, start with an ingestion of a few drops to accustom the digestive system. It is also possible to dilute the HV in another food oil (rapeseed, olive, hazelnut for example).

Authorized use of the product

Dermal route Oral route

Authorized users

Adults and Teens Children under 6 years old Pregnant and nursing women Babies under 3 years old

Storage

Preferably stored in a cool place, away from light and heat.

In case of respiratory allergy, Asthma, Allergic asthma

Efficiency : ++++

The nigellone, one of the assets present in the oil of Nigella, presents an antihistaminic and broncho-dilator action. Studies were carried out to understand the mechanism of action of the nigellone against the allergies: this one would be able to inhibit the release of histamine by the mastocytes, but also to block the calcium channels in order to regulate the immune reaction of the organization. Administered orally, it has been observed that it considerably reduces the symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis.

  • Application advice : 1 teaspoon at the beginning of the 2 main meals until improvement of symptoms.
    Do not hesitate to dilute the oil in another food oil softer, Hemp, Perilla or even Chia.
  • Complementary essential oil(s): against allergies, you should use essential oils with antihistamine or antispasmodic properties such as Annual Tansy, Chamomile Matricaria, Roman Chamomile or even Tarragon.
  • Other suitable plant oils: Perilla oil can also work on allergies with its anti-inflammatory action.

To boost Immunity

Efficiency : ++++

For many years now, Nigella oil has been studied to prove its immunomodulatory action. Nigella seed and Nigella essential oil have already been well studied: the former acts directly on T cells while the latter induces an increase in the activity or number of immune cells (NK, T CD4, T CD8). From several studies, it appears that Nigella sativa L. would decrease the humoral response and stimulate the cellular response of immunity. The effects of the plant oil on immunity are to date not fully elucidated, but it is clear that it has an immunomodulatory action.

  • Advice of application : a teaspoon to swallow morning and evening before meals.
    Do not hesitate to dilute the oil in another food oil softer, Hemp, Perilla or even Chia.
  • Complementary essential oil(s): to boost immunity, there's nothing like immunostimulant and invigorating essential oils like Ravintsara, Oregano compact, or Saro.
  • Other suitable vegetable oils: the vegetable oils of Inca Inchi, Perilla or Lin also help to act on the immune system thanks to their richness in omega 3 this time.

In case of Acne, Acneic skin

Efficiency : +++

Nigella oil is composed of a small part of essential oil, which itself contains a unique compound: thymoquinone. This molecule has powerful anti-infectious properties to act against bacteria and fungi. The oil of Nigelle thus makes it possible to cleanse the skin. Numerous researches were carried out on the properties of the Nigella against the acne, and one of them showed that the addition of 20 % of oil of Nigella in a lotion had more effectiveness than a lotion containing 5 % of peroxide of benzoyl, a treatment used against the acne. Finally, the oil of Nigelle has anti-inflammatory properties to calm the aggressed skin, and antioxydant and healing to improve the aspect of it.

  • Application advice : massage a few drops of Nigella oil morning and evening on clean, dry skin. In case of particularly sensitive skin, do not hesitate to dilute the HV in an oil of Jojoba for example.
  • Complementary essential oil(s): against acne problems, the reference essential oil is Tea Tree, but you can also use True Lavender to promote healing, Palmarosa or Rose Geranium.
  • Other suitable plant oils: against acne, Karanja and Neem oils can be used for their anti-infectious properties as well, and Sea Buckthorn Seed or Flaxseed for their anti-inflammatory property. Finally, Jojoba oil remains a good support for essential oils against acne.

In case of Eczema, Psoriasis

Efficiency : +++

Anti-inflammatory and healing, Nigella oil helps relieve and repair skin affected by psoriasis and eczema. A 2014 study proved that an oral intake of Nigella oil, combined with a cutaneous application presented a significant anti-psoriatic effect, and that Nigella oil considerably limited the excessive proliferation of keratinocytes.

  • Advice of application : By mouth: a teaspoon to swallow morning and evening before the meal. Do not hesitate to dilute the oil in another food oil softer, Hemp, Perilla or even Chia.
    By cutaneous way: to mass a few drops of oil of Nigella on the touched zone. In case of particularly sensitive skin, do not hesitate to dilute the HV in an oil of Evening Primrose for example.
  • Complementary essential oil(s): to relieve the skin of irritations caused by psoriasis, it is possible to supplement the oil of Nigella with essential oils of Himalayan Spikenard, Tea Tree or even True Lavender for example.
  • Other Suitable Plant Oils: to relieve skin that has been attacked by psoriasis or eczema, it is also possible to use Cameline, Onager, Cassis or Calophyll Inophylla oils.

In case of dry skin, irritated skin, mature skin, sensitive skin

Effectiveness: ++.

Nigella oil allows on the one hand to nourish the skin thanks to its richness in fatty acids, but it also allows to soothe irritations and redness thanks to its anti-inflammatory action. It has many other beneficial properties for the skin! It is anti-oxidant, it can thus protect the cells from free radicals to avoid their degradation, and prevent the formation of wrinkles and the slackening of the skin. Finally, Nigella oil has an action on the formation of collagen and on the healing process.

  • Application advice : massage a few drops of Nigella oil morning and evening on clean, dry skin. In case of particularly sensitive skin, do not hesitate to dilute the HV in an oil of Apricot or Hemp for example.
  • Complementary essential oil(s): against wrinkles or irritated skin, it is possible to add a few drops of Rose Geranium, Carrot, Cistus or True Lavender to Nigella oil.
  • Other suitable plant oils: Mushroom Rose, Hemp Seed, Apricot Kernel or Prickly Pear Seeds oils also have anti-oxidant and regenerative properties.

In case of digestive disorders

Effectiveness: ++.

The action of the oil of Nigella on the digestive and intestinal system is done on several levels, thanks to its various active ingredients. The nigellin first of all, presents a stimulating action on the gastric system. The thymoquinone then, has a protective effect of the gastric mucous membrane, by limiting the lesions. A study on rats could in particular prove that the oil of Nigella, administered orally, was able to reduce the formation of gastric ulcers induced by ethanol. The Nigella could thus form a true barrier of protection, thanks to its antioxydant and anti-histaminic properties.

  • Advice of application : 1/2 to 1 teaspoon noon and evening before the meal.
    Do not hesitate to dilute the oil in another food oil softer, Hemp, Perilla or even Chia.
  • Complementary essential oil(s) : many essential oils can come in support of the digestive system such as Basil, Cardamom or Coriander Seeds. But in case of digestive ulcers, the Sweet Fennel remains the most appropriate.
  • Other suitable plant oils: in case of digestive concerns, Ricin oil may also be of interest.

Against rheumatism

Effectiveness: ++.

The Nigella allows to fight against the articular pains thanks to its anti-inflammatory action which results from its antioxydant action. Indeed, the thymoquinone allows to inhibit the production of lipoxygenases or cycloxygenases, enzymes responsible for the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It also makes it possible to inhibit the production of eicosanoids, derivatives of fatty acids mediators of the inflammatory response, and synthesized by the cytokines. The oil of Nigella thus presents all its interest against the inflammations and thus the rheumatic pains or other inflammatory diseases. Lastly, the oil of Nigella would also present properties anti-pain.

  • Application advice : massage a few drops of Nigella oil on the affected area. In case of particularly sensitive skin, do not hesitate to dilute the HV in an oil of Arnica or Perilla for example.
  • Complementary essential oil(s): in case of rheumatic pain, the essential oils of Lemon Eucalyptus, Fragrant Gaultheria, Spike Lavender or Noble Laurel are powerful.
  • Other suitable plant oils: for their anti-inflammatory properties, the oily macerates of Arnica, St. John's wort and Perilla oil are quite suitable.
Nigella Organic Virgin Vegetable Oil

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