Black Cumin Seed Oil (Thymoquinone)
By Andrea Donsky | Fact Checked | Sources
Women who are striving to live a healthier menopause can focus on many things, but heart health is near the top of the list given the greater risk of heart disease among women older than 50. Black cumin seed oil may be a real boost to skin health as well.
What is black cumin seed oil?
Black cumin seed oil (aka, kalonji or black caraway) is extracted from the seeds of a plant found in southwest Asia. The seeds and oil of the Nigella sativa plant have been valued for thousands of years for their ability to help with a number of common health concerns because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Nigella sativa is one of the most common medicinal plants in the world.
Thymoquinone is one of the factors credited with the health benefits of this herbal remedy. Other active ingredients include thymohydroquione, thymol, nigellicine, carvacrol, nigellimine, nigellidine, and alpha-hederin.
The seeds of Nigella sativa are used in some foods, including those from India and the Middle East, and they are slightly bitter. Supplements of the oil are available in our Morphus ThymoQuin®.
Read about 6 benefits you should know about black seed oil
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How black cumin seed oil can help in menopause
In addition to the general antioxidant abilities of the seed oil, there are a few specific ways use of the supplement can benefit women in these transitional years. Heart health in particular is of significant concern. With that in mind, here are a few ways black cumin seed oil may help.
In another study, sedentary overweight women participated in an aerobic exercise program. Half of the women took a black seed oil supplement and the other half took a placebo. The women who took the supplement showed lower cholesterol levels and a decline in body mass index compared with the placebo group.
Read about black seed oil and the chronic conditions it can help with
Skin health. Dry, itchy, flaky skin as well as acne and psoriasis are skin problems often experienced in menopause. Topical use of lotions and gels containing black cumin seed oil may improve these skin conditions since the oil has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fungal properties. Black seed oil can be used topically as well. It may be formulated differently than what is placed in the supplemental form.
Using black cumin seed oil supplements
Use of black cumin seed oil supplements alone (buy our Morphus ThymoQuin®) or along with tocotrienols (a form of vitamin E) can benefit women in their menopausal years.
Bottom line
Nigella sativa (black cumin seed, black caraway, kanoji) is one of the most common medicinal plants in the world. Oil from the seeds may be helpful for heart and skin health issues for women in the menopause years.
