BLACK SEEDS/ KALONJI OR BLACK CUMIN – BENEFITS AND USES

Black seeds also called as kalonji, seeds, onion seeds or nigella seeds have a number of health and beauty benefits! It is used in Indian cooking and also in homemade beauty remedies and in commercial ayurvedic products. Below we have listed the top benefits and uses of these wonder tiny seeds-

HEALTHY SKIN

Benefits- Kalonji seeds or black seeds have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also is rich in antioxidants. Treats acne and heals it sooner without leaving behind any scars.

Uses- You can grind black seeds into fine powder and add in enough rose water to make a paste. Apply evenly on facial skin and rinse off after 30 minutes.

HAIR FALL

Benefits- Black seeds help strengthen hair follicles and reduce hair fall and shedding. It also coats the hair and adds shine and reduces tangling and hair breakage. Keeps hair stronger and thicker.

Uses- Grind black seeds to fine powder and soak it in almond oil or coconut oil for 1 week. Strain out and use it as pre-shampoo hair oil or overnight hair oil.

WEIGHT LOSS

Benefits- Black seeds are shown to help reduce weight faster provided you also eat healthy and workout. It catalyses the normal weight loss speed and helps you slim down comparatively faster.

Uses- You can make a morning drink with black seeds. Add kalonji seeds, juice of half a lemon, and pinch cinnamon on to 1 cup warm water. Add in some honey if you like and stir. Have this on an empty stomach.

JOINT PAIN

Benefits- Black seeds have anti-inflammatory and calming benefits that help reduce joint pain in knees, wrist, ankle etc.

Uses- Grind black seeds and fry it in enough mustard oil for a few minutes. Let it cool down but stay warm and strain. Apply this oil on aching joints.

PREVENT DIABETES

Black seed oil protects against and handles both type 1 as well as kind 2 diabetic issues. One research out of the Indian Council of Medical Research located that black seed oil really created a partial “regeneration” of pancreatic cells, reduces elevated product sugar levels and reduces serum insulin concentrations.

DANDRUFF

Benefits- Black seeds have anti-microbial properties that helps fight dandruff-causing fungus. It also keeps scalp healthy and free of any infections including scalp acne and itchiness.

Uses- You can grind black seeds to fine powder and make a paste by adding in enough rose water and few drops lemon juice. Apply on scalp and use a shampoo after 1 hour. You can also make black seed oil as mentioned above and use it as a pre-shampoo hot oil treatment.

PREMATURE GREYING

Benefits- Black seeds help prevent early or premature hair greying and keeps hair dark and in its original color for longer.

Uses- You can grind equal quantities black seeds and fenugreek seeds to achieve fine power and add in enough coconut oil to make a thin mixture. Use it as a hair mask 3 hours before shampooing.

PREVENT ALLERGIES

Benefits- Black seeds have anti-inflammatory and anti-histaminic effects that help relieve nasal inflammation, swelling and pain. This helps unclog the blocked nasal pathway and relieves congestion.

Uses-You can add few drops black seed oil or black seeds in hot steaming water and inhale it for 10 minutes to get relief from blocked nose.