It is normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs each day. Losing more than that can be a serious cause for concern. Early intervention can help not only reduce the problem but also regenerate lost hair. In this article, we will explore the benefits of black seed oil (also known as Nigella sativa oil) for hair and how it can assist you in the fight against hair loss.
What is black seed oil? What are its medicinal properties?
Black seed has been used in remedies for thousands of years for allergies, asthma, diabetes, headaches, weight loss, arthritis, and intestinal worms.
Today, black seed is most commonly used in beauty and hair care remedies. The oil extracted from these seeds has antioxidant properties that help alleviate skin inflammation.
Thymoquinone, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound in the oil, combats skin diseases caused by bacteria and fungi. Thymoquinone contains proteins, alkaloids, and saponins that stimulate hair growth and slow down the aging process of cells, thus preventing hair thinning. It reduces hair loss caused by inflammation of hair follicles.
Black seed oil regulates the imbalanced hair growth cycle, activates hair follicles, nourishes hair, increases shine, and eliminates scalp dryness.
Typically, black seed oil is added to shampoos, oils, and hair care products because it improves hair volume and texture and prevents hair loss. It also offers a wide range of other benefits for hair, which are discussed in the following section:
Benefits of black seed oil for hair
1. Maintains scalp health
Black seed oil has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and analgesic properties that help maintain scalp health. It treats issues like dandruff and soothes skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. It also helps keep the scalp hydrated and balances oil production.
2. Stimulates hair regeneration
Black seed oil contains nigellone and thymoquinone, both of which are powerful antihistamines. Antihistamines are commonly prescribed to patients with androgenetic alopecia or alopecia areata. Using black seed oil is a safe way to benefit from antihistamines for hair regeneration without needing to take any medication.
3. Prevents and treats hair loss
This is the most well-known benefit of black seed oil when it comes to hair. It is one of the best ingredients you could use to treat hair loss. It contains over 100 different nutrients, which are rich sources of nourishment for hair follicles and hair.
4. Prevents premature graying
Black seed oil is also known for its effectiveness in preventing and reversing gray hair. It contains linoleic acid, which prevents the depletion of pigment cells in hair follicles. It is an effective treatment for individuals with vitiligo, a skin condition where patches of skin lose pigment over time.
5. Regulates sebum production
Sebum, the natural oil produced in the scalp, keeps hair hydrated and nourished. The amount of sebum varies from person to person, resulting in different hair types, from dry to oily. Black seed oil normalizes oil production on the scalp. This ensures well-conditioned hair without becoming too greasy.
6. Maintains hair health
Free radicals can wreak havoc on the scalp and hair. Black seed oil contains antioxidants that neutralize the effects of free radicals on hair. This helps keep your hair and scalp healthy.
7. Promotes blood circulation
Black seed oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 biomolecules that encourage blood circulation, especially in the scalp. This promotes rapid hair growth in a few weeks.
You can use black seed oil alone or in combination with other ingredients to stimulate hair growth.
How to use black seed oil for hair growth and preventing baldness
1. Hair treatment with black seed oil
You will need:
a few tablespoons of black seed oil
What to do:
Pour a little oil into your palms and rub to warm it up.
Start massaging the oil into your scalp. Focus on areas that are losing the most hair.
Once the scalp is covered with oil, run the oil through your hair from roots to tips.
Leave the oil on for about 30 to 60 minutes and then wash it out with your regular shampoo.
How often?
2-3 times a week.
Why it works
The massage stimulates hair follicles and promotes hair growth. Additionally, black seed oil nourishes the follicles with essential nutrients needed to produce healthy hair.
Black seed oil with a carrier oil for hair
Black seed oil can be used in combination with other carrier oils to enhance its effectiveness. Below are three treatments with black seed oil and olive oil, coconut oil, and castor oil that help promote hair growth.
2. Black seed oil and olive oil for hair
You will need:
a few tablespoons of black seed oil
a few tablespoons of olive oil
What to do:
Mix black seed oil with olive oil in a bowl. The ratio should be 1:1.
Start massaging the oil mixture into your scalp. Focus on areas that are losing the most hair.
Once the scalp is covered with oil, run the oil through your hair from roots to tips.
Leave the oil on for about 30 to 60 minutes and then wash it out with your regular shampoo.
How often?
2-3 times a week.
Why it works
This treatment is ideal for people with oily/mixed hair. Olive oil is an excellent conditioning ingredient that softens hair and makes it manageable. It addresses issues like hair breakage and split ends and facilitates hair growth. When combined with black seed oil, it can eliminate dandruff, keeping your scalp and hair 100% clean.
3. Black seed oil and coconut oil for hair
You will need:
a few tablespoons of black seed oil
a few tablespoons of coconut oil
What to do:
Mix black seed oil with coconut oil in a bowl and gently warm the mixture. The ratio should be 1:1.
Massage this oil mixture into your scalp for about 15 minutes and then spread it along the length of your hair.
Once your hair and scalp are covered with the oil mixture, leave it on for another 30 minutes.
Wash your hair with your regular shampoo.
How often?
2-3 times a week.
Why it works
This treatment is ideal for people with normal hair. Coconut oil has amazing penetrating properties that allow it to infiltrate hair follicles and nourish them with nutrients. When used in combination with black seed oil, it increases effectiveness as a remedy against hair loss.
4. Black seed oil and castor oil for hair growth
You will need:
1 1/2 tablespoons of black seed oil
1/2 tablespoon of castor oil
you can increase the amount but keep the ratios in mind
What to do:
Combine black seed oil and castor oil in a bowl.
Start massaging the oil mixture into your scalp, focusing on areas that are losing the most hair.
Once the scalp is covered with oil, run the oil through your hair from roots to tips.
Leave the oil on for about 30 to 60 minutes before washing it out with your regular shampoo.
How often?
2-3 times a week.
Why it works
This treatment is ideal for people with dry hair. Castor oil is well known for its growth properties. It is full of antibacterial and antifungal properties and is rich in vitamin E, minerals, proteins, and omega-1 and omega-2 fatty acids. This helps increase hair thickness and stimulates rapid hair growth. When combined with black seed oil, it helps reduce hair loss and promotes healthy and rapid hair growth.
5. Black seed oil and honey for hair
You will need:
1/2 cup of coconut oil
1 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of black seed oil
Warm towel
What to do:
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl until a smooth paste forms.
Massage the mixture into your scalp. Focus on areas that are losing the most hair.
Once your scalp is covered, spread the mixture through the length of your hair from roots to tips.
Cover your hair with a warm towel to enhance the effectiveness of the hair mask.
Leave the mixture on for about 20 minutes to an hour before washing it out with your regular shampoo.
How often?
Once a week.
Why it works
Honey is a humectant that seals in the conditioning effects of both oils in the hair. You can also drink a mixture of one tablespoon of black seed oil and one tablespoon of honey mixed in a glass of water. This is a popular remedy that not only helps reduce hair loss but also has many other health benefits.
