How to use black cumin seeds for hair growth

The black seeds that are pressed for black seed oil come from Nigella sativa, a flowering plant found in Western Asia, Northern Africa, and Eastern Europe. Used in traditional medicine and cooking, the seeds are known as:

  • black seed
  • black caraway
  • black cumin
  • nigella

A key component of black seed oil, thymoquinone, has demonstrated antioxidant properties that may help relieve inflammation. Many advocates of black seed oil use it on their hair.

According to a 2016 review, Nigella sativa seed is an ideal ingredient for medicine and cosmetics. The study details black seed oil’s properties as:

  • antibacterial
  • antifungal
  • anti-inflammatory
  • antioxidant

Advocates of black seed oil for hair suggest that these properties can help maintain scalp health by addressing issues such as dandruff while keeping the scalp moisturized. Clinical research doesn’t support this claim, however.

These people also suggest that black seed oil could help seal in the moisture in individual hair shafts because it’s rich in fatty amino acids.

Proponents of black seed oil as a hair loss remedy do have some research to back up their claims.

A 2014 study indicated that a mixture of coconut oil and black seed oil was effective enough in promoting hair growth to justify further study.

Also, a 2017 study indicated that an herbal hair oil containing Nigella sativa resulted in hair fallout reduction of up to 76 percent.

Telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a condition characterized by a temporary shedding or thinning of hair.

A 2013 study of 20 women with telogen effluvium showed significant improvement when treated with a lotion containing 0.5 percent black seed oil.

However, given the study’s small sample size, further research is needed to determine whether black seed oil really is effective for treating telogen effluvium.

Studies have shown that black seed oil has a number of characteristics that potentially give it a place in the treatment or relief of a number of conditions.

Although there haven’t been many studies focused on black seed oil for hair, it would appear that black seed oil might support a healthy scalp and counteract thinning of hair.

If you’re considering using black seed oil for your hair, talk about it with your doctor. Your doctor can offer you specific advice about black seed oil, including potential interactions with any medications that you currently take.

Google "black seed oil for hair" and the first thing you'll notice is that a) there are tons of articles on the topic, and b) most of them are related to hair loss. That being said, it's only one of many ingredients that are touted as natural hair loss solutions, so what makes this any different? And is it legit? Here's what you need to know about black seed oil for hair, according to top experts.

What Is Black Seed Oil?

Black seed oil—technically called nigella sativa oil—is extracted from the seeds of a flowering plant that grows in Southwest Asia, the Middle East, Southern Europe, and Northern Africa, says Kamara Brown, a StyleSeat hairstylist. (FYI, it bears mentioning that black seed oil is also sometimes referred to as black cumin seed oil, black onion seed oil, kalonji oil, and other pseudonyms.) The oil is well-known for its medicinal properties in Eastern culture, says Krupa Koestline, a clean cosmetic chemist and founder of KKT Consultants; it's been used to treat everything from bronchitis to diarrhea to skin disorders. "Most of these therapeutic properties are due to the presence of thymoquinone (TQ), which is a major active chemical component of the oil," she says. TQ itself has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties.

So what about black seed oil's purported benefits for hair? "Black seed oil is often promoted as a natural treatment for hair loss," says Brown. In fact, many shampoos and conditioners contain it, she adds. Theoretically, this benefit would likely be due to all of those aforementioned benefits of TQ…but theoretically is the key word here. There are some studies that indicate black seed oil may help with hair loss, but it's not enough to convince the experts we spoke with, both of whom underscore the fact that there needs to be more data and evidence to back up any hair growth claims.

For example, one study found that an herbal oil containing, among other things, black seed oil, helped reduce hair loss in men and women. The issue there is that black seed oil was only one of many ingredients in that oil. Another study found that a combination of coconut oil, black seed oil, and candlenut seed oil did help stimulate and speed up hair growth. The only problem? This study only had three participants, and again, black seed oil wasn't the only ingredient involved. Point being, although there's a historical and anecdotal precedent of this ingredient helping with hair loss, there's not enough scientific literature to support its use as such. If hair loss is your primary concern, it's important to talk with your dermatologist or a trichologist to determine the root cause (pun intended) and best solution, rather than blindly relying on black seed oil, notes Brown.

So is it worth using?

As far as any other benefits for your hair go, the oil itself is moisturizing, says Koestline, though she says that there are other hair oils better suited for hair loss specifically. Brown says if you are curious about black seed oil, it's a good option to try if you have a dry scalp or eczema; in other words, focus on using it as a scalp treatment rather than for your hair. She suggests putting it in a bottle with an eyedropper applicator so that you can apply it to the scalp. (Doing a patch test beforehand to make sure you're not allergic is also a good move, she notes. Apply a small amount on your inner forearm and wait 24 hours to make sure no reaction or irritation develops.)

TL; DR: Black seed oil has a long history of benefits and uses (so certainly worth trying), but the scientific jury is still out as to whether or not it's a good hair loss solution.

How can I use black cumin on my hair?

Method:.
Take a tablespoon of grinded cumin seeds or oil and a tablespoon coconut oil..
You may add honey if you want..
Apply the mixture on the bald area and on hair from root to tip..
Wrap the hair with a warm towel and leave it for around 20 minutes..
Wash off and repeat the process at least once a week..

Is black cumin seed good for hair growth?

Also referred to as black cumin or nigella sativa, black seed oil is thought to naturally restore hair growth in thinning areas thanks to its high concentration of thymoquinone, a powerful antihistamine.

How long does it take for black seed to grow hair?

In most cases, you can expect to see results - provided you use it consistently - after between two to three months. Whilst it might not offer an overnight fix, the results it'll give you in the longer run are hard to beat.