This oil has been considered a miracle cure. An universal remedy.

The Prophet Muhammad said in his divine wisdom, ”Use this Black Seed regularly, because it is a cure for every disease, except death.”
It has been said that these seeds were discovered from the tomb of Tutankhamen, the Egyptian Pharaoh who ruled Egypt. The Old Testament refers to it as “ketzah” . The seeds and its extract have been recorded in ancient Ayurvedic Indian texts to treat diseases amongst children and adults.
As a spice it is so versatile and flexible it is used in Israeli, Lebanese, Armenian, Egyptian and Indian cooking. All of us have at some point eaten a few, whether it was in a pickle, samosa, curry or a cookie. (Of course, being totally unaware of its great historical references).
I am referring to Kalaunji or Nigella Sattiva, more popularly known as the black seed. If you are wondering what it is called in your native language, wherever in the world you may be from, click here. These seeds taste like a combination of onions, black pepper and oregano and have a pungent bitter taste and smell.

While it is said to have immense health benefits right from treating asthma attacks to preventing cancer and improving eyesight, sufficient medical studies have not been conducted to prove the same.

Hence we will be focusing on one particular aspect- its hair loss properties.

Kalaunji oil is used to treat an entire gamut of hair problems-

• Baldness
• Premature greying of hair
• Hair loss
• Dandruff
• Itchy and sensitive scalp
• Rough and frizzy hair
• To boost hair growth
• Double hair volume
• Naturally darken hair colour

Science behind the black seed miracle-

The active ingredients found in black seed oil are the following three chemicals: thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone and thymol.
All three are  phytochemical compounds with strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects and perform its function as  free radicals. They are also powerful antihistamines.
Antihistamines are commonly prescribed to patients with androgenic alopecia or alopecia areata, and the drugs help regrow hair to a certain extent.
Using black seed oil is a safe way to reap the benefits of antihistamines for hair regrowth without having to take any medication.
It prevents the depletion of the pigment cells in your follicles and this property helps when it comes to preventing and reversing greying of hair.

How To Use Kalonji

Kalonji is available in the seed and oil form at most local grocers and supermarkets in India and Asian supermarkets in other countries.
You can use the seeds to make a hair mask or hair oil, and alternatively use both methods for best results.

Black seed oil is considered an adjuvant; this means that it can be combined with other ingredients—such as natural oils and essential oils— for additional benefits in preventing hair loss, slowing down the production of premature grey hair, and generally making your hair softer and more manageable. Other suitable oils to mix with kalonji oil include essential oils like lavender, peppermint, lemon, and rosemary or natural oils like coconut, castor or olive. However blackseed oil can be used directly on its own too.

Hair Mask Method

Ingredients

2 tbs blackseeds
2 tbs aloe vera gel
1 tbs olive oil
1 egg ( optional)

Grind all of the above to a paste and apply all over the scalp.
Wash off after 30 minutes. Kalonji mask helps with any inflammation on the scalp and boosts hair growth if applied twice or thrice a month.

Hair Oil Method

Ingredients

2 tbs Kalonji seeds (powdered)
2 tbs fenugreek seeds (powdered)
A handful of curry leaves
100 ml coconut oil ( you can also use castor, almond or olive oils)

Method

• Use a double boiler to make this oil. Do not use direct heat, this will burn the ingredients and decrease its efficacy.
• Pour your desired oil into the double boiler and add the curry leaves.
• When the curry leaves turn almost black, add kalonji and fenugreek powder.
• Let this boil on low heat for atleast an hour and then switch it off.
• Once it cools, strain the oil into a glass bottle.
• The oil will have its sediments collected at the bottom, so give it a thorough shake before using it.

This amount of hair oil that I make usually lasts me around 1 month.
Please note that this is not a very pleasant smelling oil, in my case it’s a total husband-repellent!!

Apply the oil all over your scalp and leave it on for atleast 2 hours or preferably over night before washing it off.

If you wish to buy pure kalonji oil and don’t want to stress yourself with this preparation make sure you buy a cold pressed black seed oil that is 100%, unrefined.
If you are from India, The Health 1st  brand makes an excellent cold -pressed extra virgin grade blackseed oil. Buy it here .

A few pointers to note before using Kalonji-

• While buying nigella seeds, check the pack carefully, the seeds should appear jet black and not look stale.
• Store the seeds in a dry place and make sure it doesn’t come in contact with moisture.
• Do not buy a large quantity the first time. You will need to check if the seeds or oil suits you and also storing this for a long time will result in it losing its aroma and benifits.
• People have been found to be allergic to kalonji oil, so always do a patch test- if you feel any kind of burning sensation do not use it.
• Never apply excess of the oil thinking it will work better, you will have to apply extra product to wash it off thus nullifying the good effects.
• If you have acne prone skin, avoid leaving kalonji oil overnight on your hair, oil drip on the forehead may increase acne for some people.