Research Forum
Black cumin seed (oil), Nigella sativa
Quote from Dr. Garrett Smith on November 29, 2018, 9:28 pmSUMMARY:
A study showed that when researchers tried to induce Poison/"Vitamin A" toxicity in rats, the ones who were given Nigella sativa (black cumin/black seed) oil did not show any of the symptoms or liver enzyme elevations of the other rats. This likely indicates that it is protective against some of the damage of Poison/"Vitamin A" toxicity, and the numerous other studies showing benefits of this oil also suggest that it is linked to reducing Poison/"Vitamin A" damage. However, it is likely NOT actually detoxifying Poison/"Vitamin A" in my opinion (these are different things)...in another study, the benefits of taking Nigella sativa oil slowly disappeared after it had been discontinued.
EVIDENCE:
Hepatoprotective and immunological functions of Nigella sativa seed oil against hypervitaminosis A in adult male rats.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23591666 [full study attached, the following is the abstract]
"PURPOSE: The toxic effects of excess vitamin A (VA) intake deserve increased attention. Nigella sativa (NS) seed possesses physiological and pharmacological actions and protects against toxic agents. This work investigated the availability of NS seed oil as a protective agent against the effects of hypervitaminosis A (HVA) on liver function and immunity.
METHODS: Fifty adult albino rats were used and divided into five groups: (G1) control; (G2) experimental HVA rats administered extreme doses (10,000 IU/kg body weight) of VA oil orally, daily for 6 weeks; (G3) rats treated with NS seed oil (800 mg/kg) orally, daily for 6 weeks; (G4) HVA rats simultaneously treated with NS seed oil at the same doses and periods; and (G5) HVA recovery group. Liver function, immunoglobulin (IgG and IgM) levels, and lysosome activity were measured in serum.
RESULTS: HVA rats revealed marked elevations in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities. This is the first study to demonstrate that NS seed oil possesses significant hepatoprotective activity against HVA. NS seed oil was a potent inducer of IgG and IgM in rat serum either alone or with high doses of VA.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings may be considered the initial steps of the physiological and humoral immune responses for NS seed oil against HVA, but further studies examining longer periods are needed prior to recommending the use of NS seed oil as an alternative medicine for hepatic and immune diseases."
This is the study that showed the benefits in cholesterol and triglycerides from Nigella sativa treatment moved back towards the pre-treatment values within one month of being off of it (see the graphs and tables):
A randomised controlled trial on hypolipidemic effects of Nigella Sativa seeds powder in menopausal women
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4013060/ASSESSMENT:
If one were to believe they had Poison/"Vitamin A" toxicity (see MEGA symptoms list), or was going through my Poison/"Vitamin A" Detox plan and was experiencing detox symptoms, and/or had symptoms that Nigella sativa has been shown to help in research studies (see links below), then it might be worth giving it a try.
A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb
Examine.com looking at the research on Nigella sativa
LINKS (affiliate, your support of this site is always greatly appreciated):
It is suggested to get the oil in glass bottles, cold-pressed, and try to get it organic if possible.
Oil (can be taken straight, used uncooked, taken with honey, or mixed into food/smoothie/juice):
- Swanson: Amazing Herbs Black Seed 100% Pure Cold-Pressed Cumin Oil
- Vitacost: Amazing Herbs Black Seed 100% Pure Cold-Pressed Cumin Oil
- iHerb: Amazing Herbs Black Seed 100% Pure Cold-Pressed Cumin Oil
- Amazon: Amazing Herbs Black Seed 100% Pure Cold-Pressed Cumin Oil
Pills (get liquid caps or softgels, not dry powder in capsules):
- Swanson: Swanson EFAs Black Cumin Seed Oil liquid vegcaps
- Vitacost: Amazing Herbs Premium Black Seed softgels
- iHerb: Zenwise Health Organic Black Cumin Seed Oil with BioPerine softgels
- Amazon: Zenwise Health Organic Black Cumin Seed Oil with BioPerine softgels
Actual seeds (if you are into making your own extracts or using in cooking):
- Swanson: Amazing Herbs Whole Black Seed
- Vitacost: Amazing Herbs Whole Black Seed
- iHerb: Kevala Organic Black Cumin Seeds
- Amazon: Kevala Organic Black Cumin Seeds
SUMMARY:
A study showed that when researchers tried to induce Poison/"Vitamin A" toxicity in rats, the ones who were given Nigella sativa (black cumin/black seed) oil did not show any of the symptoms or liver enzyme elevations of the other rats. This likely indicates that it is protective against some of the damage of Poison/"Vitamin A" toxicity, and the numerous other studies showing benefits of this oil also suggest that it is linked to reducing Poison/"Vitamin A" damage. However, it is likely NOT actually detoxifying Poison/"Vitamin A" in my opinion (these are different things)...in another study, the benefits of taking Nigella sativa oil slowly disappeared after it had been discontinued.
EVIDENCE:
Hepatoprotective and immunological functions of Nigella sativa seed oil against hypervitaminosis A in adult male rats.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23591666 [full study attached, the following is the abstract]
"PURPOSE: The toxic effects of excess vitamin A (VA) intake deserve increased attention. Nigella sativa (NS) seed possesses physiological and pharmacological actions and protects against toxic agents. This work investigated the availability of NS seed oil as a protective agent against the effects of hypervitaminosis A (HVA) on liver function and immunity.
METHODS: Fifty adult albino rats were used and divided into five groups: (G1) control; (G2) experimental HVA rats administered extreme doses (10,000 IU/kg body weight) of VA oil orally, daily for 6 weeks; (G3) rats treated with NS seed oil (800 mg/kg) orally, daily for 6 weeks; (G4) HVA rats simultaneously treated with NS seed oil at the same doses and periods; and (G5) HVA recovery group. Liver function, immunoglobulin (IgG and IgM) levels, and lysosome activity were measured in serum.
RESULTS: HVA rats revealed marked elevations in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities. This is the first study to demonstrate that NS seed oil possesses significant hepatoprotective activity against HVA. NS seed oil was a potent inducer of IgG and IgM in rat serum either alone or with high doses of VA.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings may be considered the initial steps of the physiological and humoral immune responses for NS seed oil against HVA, but further studies examining longer periods are needed prior to recommending the use of NS seed oil as an alternative medicine for hepatic and immune diseases."
This is the study that showed the benefits in cholesterol and triglycerides from Nigella sativa treatment moved back towards the pre-treatment values within one month of being off of it (see the graphs and tables):
A randomised controlled trial on hypolipidemic effects of Nigella Sativa seeds powder in menopausal women
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4013060/
ASSESSMENT:
If one were to believe they had Poison/"Vitamin A" toxicity (see MEGA symptoms list), or was going through my Poison/"Vitamin A" Detox plan and was experiencing detox symptoms, and/or had symptoms that Nigella sativa has been shown to help in research studies (see links below), then it might be worth giving it a try.
A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb
Examine.com looking at the research on Nigella sativa
LINKS (affiliate, your support of this site is always greatly appreciated):
It is suggested to get the oil in glass bottles, cold-pressed, and try to get it organic if possible.
Oil (can be taken straight, used uncooked, taken with honey, or mixed into food/smoothie/juice):
- Swanson: Amazing Herbs Black Seed 100% Pure Cold-Pressed Cumin Oil
- Vitacost: Amazing Herbs Black Seed 100% Pure Cold-Pressed Cumin Oil
- iHerb: Amazing Herbs Black Seed 100% Pure Cold-Pressed Cumin Oil
- Amazon: Amazing Herbs Black Seed 100% Pure Cold-Pressed Cumin Oil
Pills (get liquid caps or softgels, not dry powder in capsules):
- Swanson: Swanson EFAs Black Cumin Seed Oil liquid vegcaps
- Vitacost: Amazing Herbs Premium Black Seed softgels
- iHerb: Zenwise Health Organic Black Cumin Seed Oil with BioPerine softgels
- Amazon: Zenwise Health Organic Black Cumin Seed Oil with BioPerine softgels
Actual seeds (if you are into making your own extracts or using in cooking):
- Swanson: Amazing Herbs Whole Black Seed
- Vitacost: Amazing Herbs Whole Black Seed
- iHerb: Kevala Organic Black Cumin Seeds
- Amazon: Kevala Organic Black Cumin Seeds
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Licensed Naturopathic Physician (NMD) in Arizona
NutritionDetective.com, home of the Love Your Liver program
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