Black Seeds (Kalonji) for Weight Loss – Beneficial or Harmful?
Weight Loss! The most searched topic on the Internet. Even I have searched it infinite times. Whether I follow the article or not, I always enjoyed reading it and knowing the different remedies for weight loss. Though we know, there are thousands or lakhs of articles are available with home remedies for weight loss, I have come up with another home remedy which is Black Seeds for weight loss. Have you heard about it earlier? Black seeds are nothing but Kalonji, maybe you have heard it at your home?
If you are not aware of or heard of Kalonji or what black seeds are, I am here for you. So, let’s get started and know more about black seeds for weight loss and how it can work wonders in cutting those extra pounds in your body.
What exactly are Black Seeds?
Frankly speaking, when I first heard the name ‘Kalonji’ I heard it as a remedy of hair loss, and I found it beneficial too on my hairs. Today, I will enrich your knowledge on black seeds – its various benefits, dosage and I am very sure that if you follow the methods of its use written in this article, you will never search for weight loss remedies again.
So, I will keep the first things first. What are the black seeds or Kalonji? Basically, Kalonji is a wonderful kitchen ingredient, a spice, mostly used for adding flavor to various dishes. These seeds are an excellent source of iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B, C, and E. Apart from these; it also contains decent amounts of protein, dietary fiber, and fatty acids that are good for overall health and beauty.
Black Seeds have many names as it has many benefits. It is also known as Kalonji, Black Cumin or Nigella Seeds. Why is it called Nigella Seeds? Because it is made from the fruit seeds of the flowering Nigella Sativa plant, a part of the Ranunculales family. People have been using black seeds to make medicines and for a variety of purposes for over 2000 years.
Black seed oil contains thymoquinone, an anti-inflammatory compound and an antioxidant that may also have tumor-reducing properties.
Health Benefits of Black Seeds
Before sharing the weight loss benefits, I would like you to read other health benefits of these seeds first because ultimately you will end up receiving information not only on weight loss benefits but you can use these seeds for other health benefits as well.
Benefits for Skin
Fair Skin – The presence of vitamin C and E in these seeds acts as an antioxidant that reduces melanin production in the skin, fights UV damage, protects your skin from premature aging, therefore keeps it fair and young.
Treatment Of Acne Scars – The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of black seed oil can improve acne. You can take a few drops of black seed oil and gently massage for 2 minutes every night before bedtime.
Psoriasis – Black seeds have antipsoriatic benefits which help in psoriasis problems.
Eczema – Some studies have also shown that Kalonji oil is as effective as Betamethasone (a leading drug) in fighting eczema.
Benefits for Hairs
Combat Hair loss – Black seeds contain protein, vitamin C and minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium that keeps your scalp healthy, promotes hair growth and prevents hair fall. You can apply a paste of black cumin seed mix with some warmed olive oil on the scalp. Let it there for 15 minutes, and then thoroughly wash your hair with normal water.
For Dandruff – Due to the antifungal, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action, black seeds are beneficial in Dandruff. You need to boil 3 tsp of seeds in 2 liters of water and use it to wash your hair. This remedy helps in reducing dandruff and makes your hair shiny and soft.
Stop Hair Loss and Graying of Hairs – As I mentioned in the start of the article, Kalonji has great anti-oxidant properties that can protect the hair from the disastrous effect of pollutants and radicals that lead to hair fall, premature graying, loss of moisture and luster.
Benefits for Health
Improve Digestion & Strengthens the Immune System – Black seeds trigger the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, compounds necessary for better digestion and it keeps us away from infections also increases a body’s ability to combat diseases.
Cancer – The thymoquinone present in black seed oil can influence programmed cell death, or apoptosis, in several types of cancer cell. These include leukemia, brain cancer, and breast cancer cells.
Infertility – Black seed oil can improve sperm count, its movement and semen volume.
Brain Issues – Treats many brain-related problems including poor concentration, memory loss, low intellectual level, etc.
Asthma – Black Seeds can improve wheezing, coughing, and lung function in some people with asthma. But it may work only in people with deficient lung function before treatment.
Liver and Kidney function – Black seed oil may reduce liver and kidney disease complications and improve the organ structures. With regular usage, it improves urine output, prevents kidney stone formations, and flushes toxins out of the body efficiently.
Instant Energy – Black seeds contain a variety of nutrients, iron, and magnesium that boost your energy levels, and prevent muscular cramps and body fatigue (tiredness).
Diabetes – Kalonji is very beneficial in controlling blood sugar levels and improve levels of cholesterol in diabetic people.
Controls blood pressure & Cholesterol Levels – Black seeds control blood pressure & hypertension by reducing bad cholesterol levels. It may also improve the health of the heart and prevents serious cardiac issues.
Breast pain (mastalgia) – Applying a gel containing black seed oil to the breasts during the menstrual cycle reduces pain in women with breast pain.
Natural painkiller – Thymoquinone, present in oil, is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and analgesic (pain killer) and hence, it helps in relieving joint pains, be it knee or elbows, headaches, migraine, also beneficial in relieving toothaches and stomach cramps.
Why Choose Kalonji Seeds For Weight Loss?
Here are some of the reasons why we should start using Kalonji seeds or black seeds for weight loss:
- The primary ingredient of Kalonji seeds, i.e., crystalline nigellone, a carbonyl polymer of thymoquinone, works as an antioxidant enzyme which leads to prevention of fat accumulation in our body.
- It contains a very high amount of dietary fibers that keep our digestive system healthy, makes our metabolism better, lowers our blood sugar levels, and eventually facilitate weight loss.
- The ether extract of Kalonji seeds holds mild anorexic property that helps in cutting down appetite and speeding up the weight loss.
Once you start using these seeds as a part of your weight loss treatment, you will see a noticeable change in the circumference of your waist just within a few weeks.
How do Black Seeds help in Weight Loss?
Now that we have understood why we should choose black seeds for weight loss, it is the time to tell how does it help in weight loss.
Black Seeds prevents you from untimely sugar cravings because it regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates in your body. So, if you save yourself from sugar cravings, it ultimately helps in weight loss.
Further, it prevents you from over-eating due to its high fiber property. Also, adding these seeds to your food increases its nutritional value.
The seeds also prevent bloating and formation of gas. And, lastly, black seed is a mixture of essential fatty acids that help in lowering triglycerides level and blood cholesterol that also help in dropping off extra weight.
How to take Black Seeds for Weight Loss?
Black Seeds can be taken in the form of seeds as well as oil. It is completely up to you to choose between them. Personally, I prefer seeds as it is easy to consume and cheaper as compared to oil.
Using Black Seeds for Weight Loss treatment is super easy. Here are some of the recipes that you can make at home to shed off those extra pounds around your belly:
Recipe 1
Ingredients:
- Kalonji seeds – 3 to 5 mg
- Pure, raw organic honey – 1 tablespoon
- Fresh lemon – 1
- Warm Water – 1(1/2) glasses
Steps To Follow:
- Squeeze the lemon into one glass of warm water.
- Add a spoon of honey to it.
- Crush 3 to 5 mg (5 to 10 seeds) of Kalonji seeds and add them to the mixture.
- Drink this in the morning when your stomach is empty and notice the visible difference in just a few days.
Recipe 2
Ingredients:
- Kalonji Seeds
- Lemon
Steps To Follow:
- Take 50 to 100 grams of Kalonji Seeds, and enough squeeze lemon over it so that the seeds are entirely soaked and dipped in it.
- Put this under the sun to dry it. Do not heat the mixture. You need to dry it naturally.
- Store it in an airtight container once they have dried up completely. Now have 6 to 8 seeds every day in the morning, on an empty stomach, with a glass of warm water.
Recipe 3
Ingredients:
- Kalonji oil – 2 tablespoons
- Cinnamon powder – 1 teaspoon
- Pure organic honey – 1 tablespoon
- Water – 1 glass
Steps To Follow:
- Mix Cinnamon powder with honey.
- Add it to the kalonji oil and mix well with a spoon.
- Consume this oil mixture followed by a glass of water to complete the procedure. Assure that you do not eat anything up to half an hour.
Recipe 4
Ingredients:
- Kalonji oil – 1 teaspoon
- Orange Juice – 1 cup (You can also take a fruit juice of your choice)
Steps To Follow:
- Squeeze out the fresh orange juice/watermelon/sweet lime/etc. into a cup.
- Add kalonji oil to the juice and stir well with a spoon.
- Drink the mixture first thing in the morning.
Recipe 5
Ingredients:
- Kalonji oil – 1 teaspoon
- Pure raw honey – (1/2) teaspoon
Steps To Follow:
- Simply add the honey to the kalonji oil.
- Consume it the first thing in the morning.
Recipe 6
Black Seeds in your food for weight loss:
You can add black seeds to chutneys, grilled vegetables, and salads and make the most of its health benefits. Just a spoonful of black seeds can promote weight loss in a safer and natural way.
Is Kalonji advisable for children, pregnant and lactating mothers?
For Children
Definitely, Kalonji or Black seeds are good for children as it helps in the growth of child along with developing a strong immunity, healthy vital organs, and stamina. However, one should always keep in mind the dosage. Dosage for a <12 years old child should be half of the adult dose. For an infant, the dose should be half of a child’s dose. Kalonji oil can be also used for infants.
For Pregnant Women
Black seeds might interfere with the Uterus and may promote Uterus contraction which can cause a miscarriage. It is therefore advisable to stop Kalonji intake during pregnancy.
For Lactating Mothers
Studies have shown that Kalonji has a marked effect on milk production in mothers. Regular consumption of Kalonji can increase the quality of milk and the quantity of milk in mothers. Take one cup of warm milk with a few drops of Kalonji oil to it twice a day for a week.
Side Effects of Kalonji
First of all, as I mentioned so many times, you should talk to your doctor before using herbal supplements because the doctor can advise on possible interactions with the medication and also discuss the side effects of the supplement.
Though black seeds seem to offer certain health benefits, there are certain side effects too, if taken in larger quantities. Let’s go through it:
- Overconsumption of black seeds leads to produce heat within the body, and therefore you need to stick to the recommended dose.
- Swallowing black seed oil can sometimes lead to digestive problems, such as constipation, stomach upset, and vomiting.
- If you are using black seeds oil on the skin, it is important to test it on a small patch of skin first to assure that it does not trigger a reaction as it can cause an allergic rash in some people.
- It may worsen the symptoms further if you are already prone to gastric ulcers or severe acidity.
- If you experience heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle, do not start with Kalonji. It tends to stimulate uterus contraction that can aggravate the bleeding further.
Special Precautions & Warnings
You should always be careful about taking black seeds along with medication such as insulin or other herbs that lower blood sugar levels like devil’s claw or Panax ginseng, because it may lower the blood sugar levels and raise your risk for hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia in few cases leads to loss of mindfulness and seizures, but signs and symptoms usually include heart palpitations, confusion, sweating and disturbances in vision.
Low blood pressure: Though kalonji helps in controlling the blood pressure, however, if you intake it in larger quantity, it might lower the blood pressure and blood sugar down. Always consult your physician before using kalonji seeds if you are taking medications for hypertension or diabetes.
Surgery: If you intake too much of Black seeds, it can slow down the clotting process in our body and lead to bleeding disorders. Therefore, you should never take it before, during, and after surgery as black seed might increase the risk for bleeding and interfere with blood sugar control and anesthesia during and after surgical procedures.
Takeaway
So, it was all about Kalonji or Black seeds for weight loss & various other benefits, and now that you know the various and therapeutic benefits of it, you must have known that it is indeed one of the most powerful medicinal components in the natural world.
It can not only help you to get rid of those extra kilos but can also promote an overall healthy life. It is by far the cheapest and the most effective way to fitness. So are you ready to spice up your way to your zero figure and healthy living?
Advice: You should always talk to a doctor before taking a black seed or its oil, and choose 100-percent pure, therapeutic-grade, USDA-certified organic black seed oil. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not examine herbs and supplements for quality and purity, so it is important to be selective when purchasing these products.
Please share your experiences in comments and help us in spreading the knowledge all over the world.
