Looking for the perfect natural hair product to give you lustrous hair, a healthy scalp, and fast hair growth? Black seed oil for hair, also known as oil from the nigella sativa plant or kalonji oil, might be the best option. The best black seed oil will have a high quantity of thymoquinone,[1] the active ingredient, be cold-pressed and contain no hexane.
Experimenting with different hair products can be extremely stressful. But if you cross paths with black seed oil, consider sticking with it. It’s effective for hair growth and contains nourishing fatty acids and all the ingredients needed to maintain shiny hair and a healthy scalp.
Black seed oil dates back 2000 years. It is derived from black seeds found in Western Asia and has antioxidant properties that allow it to prevent fungal and bacterial scalp infections. Want to know more about black seed oil for you? Keep reading!
Is Black Seed Benefits For Hair?
Black seed oil has excellent anti-inflammatory properties that help promote hair growth and protect your scalp from irritation. Moreover, black seed oil has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that help prevent scalp infections and keep your hair luscious and shiny.
And if that weren’t enough, this oil acts as an incredible moisturizer for hair, keeping it healthy and strong.
Black Seed Oil For Hair: What Does It Do?
The biggest questions are: is black seed oil good for your hair? What does black seed oil do for hair?
Helpful In Hair Hydration
Do you have curly hair that causes you aggravation every time you wake up? Black seed oil can help you out. People with curly hair tend to get a dry scalp and dry hair more easily, which can result in frizzy or messy-looking hair.
But black seed oil can save the day. Nigella sativa oil has naturally moisturizing properties[2] that don’t let your scalp remain dry for long. This, in turn, results in your curly hair staying curly (rather than frizzy) and being far more manageable. Black seed oil mainly functions by trapping any moisture present in your scalp and preventing it from evaporating.
Helpful In Dandruff Removal
Experience dandruff? If you do, you’ll know how difficult a dandruff-filled scalp can be to manage. Dandruff mainly occurs because the oil from your scalp makes the skin cells clump together. This happens when hair becomes excessively dry, as the clumped cells and dust accumulate in your hair, causing dandruff.
This oil for hair laden with dandruff[3] shows promising results. It mainly works by strengthening the root of the hair and making the scalp less dry so the skin cells don’t clump together. Kalonji oil also smoothes the hair and makes it look lustrous while reducing flakiness and itchiness. This combination treatment removes dandruff from your hair and improves the overall health of your scalp.
Promotes Healthy Hair Growth
Is black seed oil good for hair growth? Yes! Nigella sativa oil improves blood flow to the hair follicles by reducing inflammation relaxing the blood vessels, and providing them with sufficient nutrition to grow full, shiny, and beautiful.
In this way, this seed oil is the perfect solution for those struggling with hair growth problems. If you want effective results, apply kalonji oil twice daily while thoroughly massaging your scalp. It’ll stimulate and promote hair growth in no time!
Black Seed Oil Benefits For Hair
Not only can it prevent hair loss and fight infections, but it can also soften the hair and increase circulation. Let’s learn more about the hair benefits of black seed oil for hair.
Prevents Hair Loss
One of the methods for preventing hair loss is to use black seed oil everyday because it’s rich in nutrients,[4] thus, helping restore any dying hair follicles to full hair health by providing them with optimum nutrition. The main reason for excessive hair fall and thinning hair is inadequate nutrition of the hair follicles, which leads to weaker roots, causing them to fall out more easily. Use oil for hair loss to reduce hair fall—it won’t disappoint!
Helps Your Scalp Fight Infections
Are you aware of what resides on your scalp besides your hair? Thousands of microorganisms reside on your scalp, ready to cause infections or serve as a source of proliferation for head lice. One of the best remedies for these infection-causing microorganisms is nigella sativa oil.
According to a 2016 review, nigella sativa oil has natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that protect the scalp from harmful microorganisms,[5] flakiness, irritation, and inflammation. Black seed oil’s anti-inflammatory properties also help moisturize the hair and restore oil balance to the scalp, improving scalp health.
Helps Soften Your Hair
One interesting thing about hair is the amount of oil or sebum each strand produces differs. This factor is a key indicator of your hair condition, determining whether you will have dry or oily hair or whether there will be a perfect balance.
But this oil can help with hair troubles. It attempts to neutralize your hair condition by trapping moisture in the strands, helping the follicles maintain their normal oil production rather than being affected by dryness. This increased moisture, in turn, ensures your hair remains well-conditioned without becoming too dry or greasy.
However, it’s important to note that nigella sativa oil may affect different hair types differently.
Helps With Blood Circulation And Prevents Greying
Your hair requires healthy fats such as omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid and omega-6 linoleic acid for healthy hair growth. These nutrients help the hair follicles form a firmer base, adding stability to the hair shaft.
These nutrients and other important elements, such as vitamin E, vitamin A, and multiple minerals, are mainly obtained through blood.Thus, improvements in blood circulation can increase the delivery of such nutrients, allowing your hair to grow naturally beautiful.
Black seed oil increases blood circulation in your scalp, allowing the hair follicles to access adequate nutrition. Its local vasodilating effects – where it widens the blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow – increase the delivery of nutrients and thus prevent hair from greying early.
Potential Side Effects
The potential side effects of black seed oil are unknown. However, practicing as much caution as possible for long-term usage of nigella sativa oil is advisable. Below, you’ll find a list of the potential black seed oil side effects to be aware of. Allergic reactions are rarely found in the literature, and it has documentation of being a safe topical alternative for treating hair and scalp conditions.
Toxic Effects
When used in excessive quantities, black seed oil can have toxic effects. The oil contains melanthin, which can act as a toxic poison when you use it in large doses. Thus it’s best to be super careful not to use the oil more than twice a day.
Allergic Reaction
Applying black seed oil to the scalp or skin can sometimes cause an allergic reaction.[6] This allergic contact dermatitis reaction is uncommon and varies in severity between individuals. However, when applying black seed oil, be vigilant for allergic reactions and cease its use immediately if any occur.
Bleeding Risk
One of the most potent effects of black seed oil is its ability to thin the blood. While this helps with the delivery of nutrients to the hair follicles, it also presents a risk of bleeding from the microvasculature of the scalp.
This bleeding could lead to further irreversible death of hair follicles, potentially causing more harm than good. Thus, if you are undergoing any treatment for bleeding disorders or are taking blood thinners, avoid using black seed oil.
How To Use Black Seed Oil For Hair Growth
So, we have discussed the benefits of black seed oil for hair treatments and promoting hair growth. Now, let’s focus on using black seed oil for hair treatments. Below are some simple steps to use black seed oil for hair growth.
Necessary Equipment
- Black seed oil for hair.
- Small plastic bowl.
- Oil brush.
Method
- First, pour two tablespoons of nigella sativa oil into a small plastic bowl.
- Then, add a tiny amount of water (just a splash!) and mix it well.
- Begin applying the black seed oil and water solution to the hair areas you are experiencing the most problems with.
- After applying the essential oil, massage it into your hair and scalp, allowing your hair to absorb the oil.
- Let the black seed oil soak into your hair for 30 minutes.
- Wash your hair with water and shampoo, rinsing out the excess black seed oil on your hair.
- Repeat this procedure two to three times a week, including it in your hair care routine, to promote hair regrowth.
Other Oils Good For Hair
If you are at risk of experiencing the potential side effects of black seed oil, don’t fret. Other great options are available to you. Some of the best alternative natural oils to black seed oil are:
- Almond oil.
- Castor oil.
- Jojoba oil.
- Coconut oil.
- Grapeseed oil.
Final Thoughts
Kalonji oil and nigella sativa oil, is a remarkable natural remedy for hair loss, greying, malnourished or messy hair, and more! All of these problems can be treated with the help of black seed oil due to its effects on blood circulation, hydration, and nutrient delivery to the follicles.
Though potential side effects of black seed oil for hair exist, these don’t outweigh the enormous benefits it can provide to your scalp. Are you ready to make your hair look lustrous and beautiful? Start using black seed oil now!
+ 6 Sources
- Ahmad, A., Husain, A., Mujeeb, M., Khan, S.A., Najmi, A.K., Siddique, N.A., Damanhouri, Z.A. and Anwar, F. (2013). A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, [online] 3(5), pp.337–352. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s2221-1691(13)60075-1.
- Haque, M., Sapna, Singh, R., Nadeem, A., Rasool, S., Wani, J.A., Khan, A., Ashafaq, M., Makeen, H.A. and Zehra, U. (2022). Nigella sativa: A promise for industrial and agricultural economic growth. Black Seeds (Nigella Sativa), [online] pp.439–460. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-824462-3.00010-x.
- Dr. Janas Khan, Ata Ur Rahman and Shah, A. (2016). ISLAMIC AND MODERN SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT NIGELA SATIVAL (BLACK SEED). [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335820592_ISLAMIC_AND_MODERN_SCIENTIFIC_INFORMATION_ABOUT_NIGELA_SATIVAL_BLACK_SEED?enrichId=rgreq-5b5c5e683f7ed107577c55fb5ac8245a-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzMzNTgyMDU5MjtBUzo4MDMwNzQyMzQ5MzczNDRAMTU2ODQ3OTIyNjMwNg%3D%3D&el=1_x_3&_esc=publicationCoverPdf
- Yimer, E.M., Tuem, K.B., Karim, A., Ur-Rehman, N. and Anwar, F. (2019). Nigella sativa L. (Black Cumin): A Promising Natural Remedy for Wide Range of Illnesses. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, [online] 2019, pp.1–16. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1528635.
- Sawarkar, S.P., Deshmukh, V.O. and Verma, H. (2016). Nigella sativa seed, a novel beauty care ingredient: A review. [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315474605_Nigella_sativa_seed_a_novel_beauty_care_ingredient_A_review
- Habibeh Mashayekhi-Sardoo, Ramin Rezaee and Karimi, G. (2020). (black seed) safety: an overview. Asian Biomedicine, [online] 14(4), pp.127–137. Available at: https://sciendo.com/article/10.1515/abm-2020-0020