How much black seed oil to take and when to take it

A quick recap on black seed oil health benefits

Black seed oil is extracted from Nigella sativa seeds. You might know them better as black cumin seeds.

However, this precious oil goes by many other names, such as shonaiz, kalajira and kalonji. This is perhaps because it has been around for thousands of years and many different cultures have used it for its healing powers.

The benefits of black seed oil are thought to include taking care of your skin, scalp and hair, boosting immunity and helping to support the liver. Of these, its effects on the immune system have sparked the most scientific interest.

It has a strong, peppery and aromatic flavour.

How to take black seed oil

The method you use to take black seed oil will depend on the benefits you want to see. For example, if you’re looking for immunity support, you should. take black seed oil either neat, by the spoonful, or mixed into your food. If you want to take advantage of its skincare benefits, you can both take it by mouth and also use it on your skin. If using it in skincare, you should dilute it with a carrier oil (more on that below).

You should never heat black seed oil or use it for cooking, as high temperatures can degrade the compounds which are behind black seeds’ benefits.

How much black seed oil to take

At Erbology, we recommend taking up to three teaspoons of black seed oil per day.

Taking more than three teaspoons a day won’t produce any additional health benefits. As its taste is quite pungent, this amount is quite enough for many people!

You can take it neat, or you can mix it into your favourite recipes. Again, make sure that if you’re including it as a recipe ingredient, you’re not going over the recommended amount.

While many people enjoy the flavour of the oil, others can find it a bit too strong to take neat. Luckily, it blends well into many recipes. It’s a brilliant addition to olive oil-based salad dressings, or drizzled over finished dishes.

You can also try more traditional methods. For example, it’s very common to mix it with a little honey or lemon juice to help balance the strong flavour. To turn it into a drink. simply stir in as much hot water as you like.

Others like to take a teaspoon of black seed oil mixed into warm milk, often with a bit of honey too.

If you’re new to black seed oil, it’s sensible to start with a smaller amount (around half a teaspoon per day) and work your way up when you feel ready.

Black seed oil for hair

You can also follow Cleopatra’s lead and use black seed oil for its hair benefits.

There is anecdotal evidence for its hair benefits; people who use it report that it helps make their hair look shiny and smooth.

There have also been a small number of scientific studies into black seed oil’s effects on your hair. Two studies in particular have suggested that, when combined with coconut oil, it might help to slow down hair loss.(1)(2)

How to use black seed oil for hair

To treat your hair, you can create a hydrating mask by mixing coconut oil and black seed oil together. Smooth it onto your hair and allow it to sit for half an hour before shampooing and conditioning as normal.

It’s important to dilute it with a carrier oil, such as coconut, as it can cause a reaction if applied directly to your skin.

You can play about with the quantities that work for you, but generally speaking one part black seed oil to two parts carrier oil is a good rule of thumb.

Related reading

• Health benefits of black seed oil
• Hemp benefits for your health

Black seed oil for skin

Black seed oil contains natural compounds which have an antibacterial effect.(3) This makes it a great choice for people suffering from skin problems such as acne and vitiligo.

In fact, one study found that it was just as effective as benzyl peroxide, the standard treatment for mild to moderate acne. What’s more, the study’s participants seemed to tolerate it better.(4)

Fans also claim it can help to unclog pores, so it may be a good addition to anyone’s skincare arsenal!

Many people like to apply a few drops of black seed oil directly to their skin after cleansing. However, it can cause reactions such as rashes or redness when applied direct. We suggest diluting it in a non-comedogenic carrier oil such as our Organic Hemp Seed Oil.

This combination won’t clog your pores, and it will allow you to get the benefits of the oil without irritating your skin.

Simply mix a few drops of each oil together in the palm of your hand and gently pat into your skin before bed.

Remember to start with a very small amount and work your way up. Some people may experience an allergic reaction; if you’re concerned about this, you could try a ‘test patch’ of the oil mixture on a different part of your body to see if you experience any discomfort or redness.

When to take black seed oil

There isn’t any golden rule here; in all likelihood, it will have the same effects whenever you take it.

That said, we can look to its traditional use for some inspiration about when to take black seed oil.

For example, some people like to take it mixed with warm water and honey before breakfast. Others, who are hoping that it will help with their insomnia, like to mix it with warm milk and honey and take it before bedtime.

Many also believe that its effects will be greater when taken on an empty stomach.

However, we can’t find any scientific evidence to support the theory, or to suggest that the time of day has any effect whatsoever.

The best time to take black seed oil

There is no specific time of day to take black seed oil. At Erbology we always encourage people to find a way to work health-promoting foods into their diet in whichever way works best for them.

So, if you are interested in trying it out, but don’t particularly like taking it neat, you could easily incorporate it into your cooking. Including it in recipes is also an easy way to slowly start introducing black seed oil in your routi