I’m a total nerd for everything having to do with health and wellness. For the past 10 years my life has been consumed with nutrition classes, reading about health and wellness, and experimenting with diets, nutrition, and supplements. I am always on the lookout for the latest and greatest super-foods and supplements that will help me boost my health – and that of my clients – to the next level.
So imagine my shock and delight when a wellness company named Zatik sent me something I’ve never heard of before: black seed oil.
You have no idea how much I geek out on this kind of stuff! But I’m also a skeptic at heart, so when I got this product from Zatik it was time to do some research! What is this black seed stuff? Where does it come from? How do I use it? What are the benefits? Is there research to back up the health claims? What makes a high quality product?
What is Black Seed Oil?
I was flabbergasted to find that black seed oil isn’t a “new” super-food. Its use as a medicinal plant dates back thousands of years! Black seeds and black seed oil were even found in King Tut’s tomb!
Black seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the black cumin plant, which is native to southeast Asia. The oil can be used in marinades and dressings, as a topical on the skin, and may be taken orally as a supplement or natural medicinal.
What are the potential benefits of using black seed oil?
I was doubly surprised to find that there’s a wealth of research on this plant and its seeds, and its possible uses and benefits. How did I not know about this stuff?!? Among the most promising benefits cited in published research:
- Black seed oil has potent anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties
- It has been shown to reduce blood pressure
- It shows promise for those who suffer from asthma and allergic reactions
- Black seed oil is shown to enhance the immune system
- It is a potent anti-inflammatory
- It appears to improve blood sugar regulation in diabetics
Additional reported benefits include:
- Aiding weight loss
- Improving skin conditions like eczema and acne
- Treating cancer
- As a digestive aid
- Increasing sperm count in men
So far I’m impressed. The ancient Egyptians might have had it right!
How Do I Use Zatik Black Seed Oil?
Zatik offers this super-food concentrate in capsule form or straight up liquid black seed oil.
The oil has a potent scent and taste that can best be described as a mashup between fresh ground pepper, oregano, and Swedish bitters. I can see why our ancestors might have used black seed oil as a flavoring for food and a digestive aid. I love strong-tasting herbs and foods, so I loved the straight up oil for its single-ingredient purity and potency, and I’ve been taking it by the teaspoonful every morning with breakfast.
Because of its powerful flavor, black seed oil is an acquired taste, so if you are sensitive to strong flavors but still want the benefits, you can simply mix the oil directly into juices, yogurt, or cold smoothies. To maintain the integrity of the oil it should not be heated, so don’t use it for cooking or baking.
To bypass the strong taste and make life easy-peasy you might also love Zatik’s black seed oil supercritical extract capsules. You get the same benefits without the strong flavor! Simply take two capsules once or twice a day with a meal. I was taking both the oil and the capsules.
You will also love black seed oil as a topical, especially if you suffer from acne, dry skin, or eczema. To use on my skin I mixed Zatik black seed oil with organic extra virgin coconut oil in a ratio of one part black seed oil to three parts coconut oil. I used it on my face, hands, elbows, and knees.
What did I personally notice from using Zatik black seed oil for three weeks?
I noticed reduced muscle and joint soreness. I love lifting heavy weights in the gym. I’m currently squatting 150 lbs. for eight reps, and benching 90 lbs. for six. That’s pretty good for a girl (wink wink). I’m hard on my body, which means my muscles and joints are frequently achy and sore. Within one week of starting the black seed oil and supercritical capsules, I felt like I was recovering from my workouts faster with reduced soreness. I’ll take that! I also noticed that taking Zatik black seed oil seemed to help my digestion. I had fewer episodes of indigestion, bloating, and acid reflux. As mentioned above, I also used the oil (mixed with coconut oil) on my skin. I’ve never had much of an acne issue, but I did notice that my complexion looked clearer, my skin was softer, and I swear the fine lines around my eyes were less prominent!
How do I source a high quality black seed oil product?
If there’s one bit of advice I dole out constantly about supplements it’s this: be 100% sure that you are purchasing a high quality product. Cheapo supplements and herbals are at best a waste of money, and at worst can contain potentially harmful fillers, preservatives, and chemicals.
I can’t say enough about the quality of the black seed oil from Zatik! They made this too easy for me! Zatik processes their products in small batches using a CO2 extraction method that yields the cleanest and highest-potency plant compounds on the market. Zatik is also committed to using plants only from organic, sustainable, and non-GMO sources. That means better health for you and our planet!
Consult your physician before using this product if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have any medical condition, or if you are using any prescription drug.
Check out the full line of Zatik botanical health essentials for skin, body, and hair and order today!
