Health benefits of Kalonji oil has been known since 2000 BC, in Ancient Egypt civilization. The oil is extracted from Kalonji seeds. Kalonji (Nigella sativa) is the name of Black Seeds in Urdu language. It is also called Habbatussauda (Arabic), Jintan Hitam (Indonesia), Fennel Flower (England), Black Cumin / Black Seeds (USA), Habbatu Barakah (Egypt), Nigella (Italy). Kalonji grows in many parts of the world, includes Saudi Arabia, North Africa, and a part of Asia. Kalonji is a fennel flower of Ranunculaceae family. Kalonji seeds are small and short (1-2 mm), black, trigonal shaped, with strong and spicy taste like pepper.
Kalonji is a bisexual plant, which means it can multiply itself using a fruit capsule containing seeds. When the fruit capsules are ripe, they split open and the seeds inside wold become black (hence the name black seeds) and blown away by the wind.
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Kalonji Oil Nutritional Facts
Kalonji seeds contain monosaccharides in the form of glocose rhamnose, xylose, and arabinose which can be absorbed easily by the body as a source of energy, and also contain non-starch polysaccharides which function as dietary fibers.
The oil contains 15 amino acids to form protein, 8 of them are essensial amino acids which are needed by our body, since our body cannot synthesize the essensial amino acid itself. It contains arginine, an amino acid needed during growth period. Chemical research also showed that kalonji oil also contains Karotin, which later would be converted into vitamin A by liver.
Kalonji also contains calcium, iron, sodium and potassium which have important roles to work with enzymes in our body. The oil also contains fatty acids, especially essensial unsaturated fatty acid (linoleic and linolenic acid).
| Component | Amount |
| Kalonji Seeds Composition | |
| Protein | 21 % |
| Fat | 35-38 % |
| Carbohydrates | 35 % |
| Kalonji Oil Nutrition | |
| Protein | 208 ug/ g |
| Thiamin | 15 ug/ g |
| Riboflavin | 1 ug/ g |
| Pyridoxine | 5 ug/ g |
| Niacin | 57 ug/g |
| Folate | 610 IU/g |
| Calcium | 1,859 mg/g |
| Iron | 105 ug/g |
| Copper | 18 ug/g |
| Zinc | 60 ug/g |
| Phosphorus | 5,265 mg/g |
| Fatty Acids in Kalonji Oil | |
| Myristic Acid | 0,5 % |
| Palmitic Acid | 13,7% |
| Palmitoleic Acid | 0,1% |
| Stearic Acid | 2,6% |
| Oleic Acid | 23,7% |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega-6) | 57,9 % |
| Linolenic Acid(Omega-3) | 0,2 % |
| Arachidonic Acid | 1,3% |
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Meanwhile, here are the lists of kalonji oil benefits:
1. Prevents Diabetes
The most important health benefits of kalonji oil is to prevent diabetes. Kalonji oil, mixed in black tea, has been known to normalize blood sugar level in the body. Mix ½ teaspoon of kalonji oil with 1 cup of black tea, and drink it every day , early in the morning (when just wake up). The best result is obtained in 1 month.
See also: Diabetes Treatments– Types of Diabetes
2. Increases Brain Memory
Memory wakness and cognitive function disorders have become common problem now, regardless of age. Increased memory and concentration is one of the health benefits of kalonji oil, thus the oil helps alot in curing forgetful people. Boil 10 grams of fresh mint leaves in 2 cups of water, add ½ teaspoon of kalonji oil, and consume the decoction 2 times a day for atleast 1 month to get positive result. We also can mix 1 tablespoon of honey and ½ teaspoon of kalonji oil to get the the same benefit.
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3. Cures Headache
Most of us ever experienced headache as a symptom of various diseases, from common cold, stress, migrains, even the more serious ones like hypertension and high cholesterol. Usually we take analgesics to ease the headache. Kalonji oil has health benefits of curing the headache miraculously. Just do light massage with kalonji oil on the temples, forehead, and behind the ears. We also can have this benefit by drinking ½ teaspoon of kalonji oil 2 times a day (can be drunk directly, mixed with honey, or mixed with warm water / tea).
4. Promotes Healthy Heart
Kalonji seeds and oil are recognized as one of the best home remedies to promote healthy heart. We can mix kalonji oil with goat milk. Add ½ teaspoon of kalonji oil in a cup of fresh goat milk, consume it 2 times a day, atleast for 10 days. However, to get the best result, we need to consume healthy foods and stop eating junkfoods and fritters cooked in saturated oil. If we already have some heart problems, we should see our doctor regularly too.
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5. Prevents Cancers
In this modern time, cancers are the greatest killers, thus people are doing researches how to fight cancers. One of the health benefits of kalonji oil is preventing cancer. Kalonji oil is very effective to prevent leukemia, nasopharyngeal cancer, and colon cancer.
Add ½ teaspoon of kalonji oil in 1 glass of grape juice (can be substituted with blueberry, blackcurrants, or acai berry juice) and drink it 3 times a day before breakfast, after lunch, and after dinner. The best result can be obtained after 40 days drinking this beverage. However, kalonji oil is only a food supplement. For cancer patients, they still need to undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and kalonji oil can accelerate the healing process.
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6. Controls Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is the silent killer which mostly does not have any symptom in early stage, but can influence the heart and brain, and it can cause heart attack or stroke suddenly. Health benefit of kalonji oil to cure hypertension has been known since hundreds years ago, and it is one of the relied and tested home remedies. Just add ½ teaspoon of kalonji oil in a cup of hot beverages (such as tea or coffee), and drink it 2 times a day. Moreover, we can consume 2 cloves of garlic everyday to maximize the effectivity. We also have to control our salt (natrium) intake, and engaged in activities (such as sports, morning walking, yoga, avoiding stress) to control our blood pressure.
See also: High Blood Pressure Treatments – Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
7. Cures Arthritis
This is a very natural remedy that has been used around Arabian Peninsula. Heat some Kalonji oil until lukewarm, then apply it on the skin and do some gentle massage on the arthitis area.
8. Protects Kidneys
Kidney stones are common problem in urban people, due to unhealthy diets and lack of physical activities. It has been proved that half a teaspoon of kalonji oil mixed with honey and warm water can prevent us to get kidney disorders, kidney stones, or kidney infections.
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9. Strengthen Bones and Teeth
Kalonji oil is very high in calcium, phosphorus and copper, which are the main substances to keep healthy bones and teeth. Consuming atleast ½ teaspoon of kalonji oil (can be taken directly, or mixed with honey, warm water or warm tea) can prevent us to get osteoporosis, and help our tooth enamel strong.
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10. Maintains Healthy Mouth Cavity
Kalonji oil has been used traditionally to treat teeth and mouth problems, such as gum bleeding and weak teeth. We can apply gentle massage on teeth and gums with a few drops of kalonji oil 2 times a day, or add a few drops of kalonji oil to half cup of warm water and use it as mouthwash 2 times a day. However, we still should see a dentist every 3-6 months, to ensure that we have healthy mouth cavity.
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11. Prevents Anemia
Kalonji oil contains iron, a mineral needed by our body to produce healthy red blood cells. Consuming ½ teaspoon of kalonji oil can help us prevent anemia.
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Kalonji oil benefits for your beauty tricks:
12. Treatment of Acnes
One of health benefits of kalonji oil which have been used since ancient time is as a face mask to reduce acnes, pimples, exzema, or other skin problem. Apply kalonji oil on clean skin and let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse it off with mild soap and warm water. To get the best result, do it everyday for atleast 2 weeks.
13. Treatment of Pimples
This face mask also can reduce dark spots caused by acnes or sun exposure, and has been used by women in Arabian Peninsula and India from generations to generations to maintain their beauty.
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14. Reduce Menstrual Cramps
Menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea, is caused by contraction of uterine muscles during menstruation, to push the un-used functional endometrial layers out of the body. Some women can experience very painful menstrual cramps, which can disturb daily activities. Kalonji oil can be used for gentle massage around lower belly area to ease the pain. To get the best result, it is advised to drink ½ teaspoon of kalonji oil 3 times a day during menstruation.
See also: Health Benefits of Royal Jelly – Health Benefits of Pumpkin
15. Promotes Breastmilk Production
Women around Arabian Peninsula and India have known this health benefits of kalonji oil since centuries ago. Prior to labor, pregnant women take ½ teaspoon of kalonji oil 3 times a day, and keep drinking it until 3 months after giving birth. Breastmilk is especially needed by infants in their first 6 months, to get important antibodies and proper healthy growth.
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Kalonji oil was first found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, Egypt. The reasearchers then found out that kalonji had very important role in Ancient Egypt. Kalonji plant can be found growing naturally in bushes in Mediterranean countries, and then planted in Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, and India during expansion of Macedonia by Alexander the Great.
In Greco-Arabian (Unani-Tibb) medicine system, which rooted from Hippocrates, Galen and Avicenna, kalonji oil is a very valuable medicine to cure digestive disfunctions and hepatitis. It was also used as stimulant and reducing fever. Avicenna / Ibn Sinna (980-1037), in his masterpiece “The Canon of Medicine”, stated that kalonji has health benefits of “stimulating energy in the body and helping healing process from fatigue or lack of spirit”.
In Middle East and Far East countries, kalonji oil has been used for generations as it has so many health benefits. This is why Egyptians call it “the seed of blessing” or “Habbatu Barakah”. Nowadays, we can find kalonji oil easily in Indian markets, or purchasing it online. Since kalonji oil has so many health benefits, we can try consuming it to experience the benefits.
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