Nigella Oil in Overcoming Depression and COVID-19 Stress

WRITTEN BY DR. MUHAMMAD MUKHTAR, GOOGLE NOTED SCHOLAR AND HEAD WRITER AND REVIEWER
THIS ARTICLE IS WRITTEN EXCLUSIVELY FOR NIGELLASATIVACENTER.COM.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE CHOSEN SOME AFFILIATE PRODUCTS FOR YOUR REVIEW.  SEE OUR PRIVACY POLICY.  

Introduction

This article describes the enhanced depression among humans due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the benefits of a significantly safer natural product, the black seed (Nigella sativa) oil, in overcoming depression associated ailments.

The COVID-19 is the primary cause of significant stress and physiological distress for almost everyone on this Earth. All this ultimately ends up in depression.

​  Among various factors contributing towards increased depression are, i) widespread pattern of the disease, ii) continued to increase in the losses of life, iii) everyone is having a fear of getting sick, iv) financial stresses, v) social distances and reduced care for the people who need assistance. 

 Symptoms associated with depression varies among people; however, prominent manifestations from COVID-19 depression are:

• Feeling of sadness or having a depressed mode.
• Changes in behavior like the loss of interest in things you used to enjoy with
• The sleeping disorder could be both difficulties to sleep or too much sleeping.
• Having problems with decision making
• Feeling tired and tiredness

 The depression syndrome in current times is intense compared with pre-COVID-19. People have different stress types in the past, and symptoms may stay or can come and go. However, COVID-19 is sustainable stress enhancing depression among people who are even not infected.
​
Among the available natural remedies, Nigella sativa, also known as black seed, possesses strong anti-depressive properties and has been used to control depression since time immemorial. Importantly, recent scientific studies have provided a strong proof of concept about Nigella's role in managing depression disorder (1, 2). This article discusses how Nigella preparations' usage can assist in controlling depression associated with the COVID-19. 

 ​Nigella sativa Benefits to People Suffering from Stressful Lifestyle During COVID-19 Era 

Although Nigella sativa preparations are widely used almost in every system based on traditional treatment methodologies like Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, Tibb, Unani, and the list goes on. However, its benefits as miraculous curative properties are reported in Islamic medicine.

​Now the data emerging from the modern drug discovery practices is strongly supporting the benefits of Nigella preparations among people suffering from depression. There is immense scientific literature; however, few selected studies are being described here to support the notion that people suffering from depression due to COVID-19 should trust a harmless traditional medicine with a strong safety profile. 

Nigella sativa oil Could Control COVID-19 related Psychological Stress and Depression through Elevated Levels of Happiness and Wellbeing Molecules in the Brain.

 As we know, depression is an ailment of the neurological system. At molecular levels, various chemicals are synthesized in the central nervous system, providing happiness to the brain. One such is serotonin, whose availability in the brain is considered as wellbeing and happiness.

A patent from the European Patent Office – EP2473179A1 shows that an oily fraction of the Nigella sativa seeds help keep adequate serotonin levels in the brain, thus promoting happy feelings and overcoming depression (3). This information is quite intriguing and valid for using Nigella oil to treat people who suffer from sadness, the stress associated with the COVID-19 problems like fear of disease, mortality, and morbidity of their loved one.
​
Safer and health-promoting, immune-boosting anti-depressants like Nigella sativa oil is an immense need of current times to make people's lives better (4). 

Nigella sativa oil has unique Anti-depressant Constituents. 

 To overcome depression, whether it is due to pandemic stress or has other etiological factors, safer anti-depressants are needed. Scientific studies have provided substantial proof of concept that Nigella sativa has anti-depressant properties. Researchers have gone a step forward to identify what is unique in the Nigella oily fraction, making it a safer and unique anti-depressant.

Several scientific studies have been conducted; however, it is essential to mention here an intriguing study. Through their efforts to evaluate the biological effects of phytochemicals from the Nigella oil fraction, a group of scientists identified few anti-depressant constituents. These are:

1. Quercetin-3-O-α-L rhamnopyranoside
2. Quercetin-7-O-β-D gluco pyranoside
3. Tauroside E, and
4. Sapindoside B 

​Several sophisticated technologies were used to identify the above-said constituents present in the oily fraction of Nigella, beneficial to overcome depression and stress linked with the COVID-19 and associated disorders (5).

Major Fraction Thymoquinone Present in the Nigella Oil is Anti-depressant as well as Antioxidant.  

 ​Not only the above-described constituent in the Nigella oil exert an anti-depressant effect. Scientific studies have also confirmed the benefits of thymoquinone, a major element present in the Nigella oil, having an anti-depressant effect (6). It is essential to mention here that thymoquinone not only exerts an anti-depressant effect; instead, it is a potent antioxidant, meaning it protects human organs, including the brain, from various damages.

Black seeds (Nigella sativa) Oil a Brain Nutraceutical Helpful to Overcome COVID-19 Stressful conditions and Depression

 ​The Nigella sativa has been described as a powerful nutraceutical enhancing brain function based on evaluating all the available scientific publications. Several constituents present in Nigella oil are beneficial for depression and help overcome other brain disorders like reduced cognitive function, epilepsy, and memory loss, including others of similar nature. This led to the recognition of Nigella as a brain nutraceutical, and its usage during the COVID-19 pandemic protects people from getting stressed that ultimately ends up in depression (7).
 

 Dosage of Nigella Sativa Oil for Controlling COVID-19 Depression

 A proper dosage of the Nigella sativa oil based on your body requirement is essential to overcome COVID-19 associated depression. As all molecular and biological sciences confirm that every human body is unique, so is the stress response. As such, the dosage of health-promoting ingredients varies from person to person.

Based on our experience, we recommend the following dosage schedule for controlling depression.

1. Start with half teaspoonful of Nigella sativa oil for the first week and increase it to a full teaspoonful in the next week.
2. In several neurological ailments, including depression, the mixing of Nigella sativa oil with an equal volume of honey brings more impressive results.
3. Nigella oil treats the depression causing system and elevates several molecules associated with happiness and well-being, as mentioned above in this article.

 ​References
1.         Beheshti F, Khazaei M, Hosseini M. Neuropharmacological effects of Nigella sativa. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2016;6(1):104-16.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884225/
2.         Kwame B. How Black Seed Oil Can Cure Your Depression. https://mindsmatterincmediumcom/how-black-seed-oil-can-cure-your-depression-dc0e23d8239e. 2020.
3.         EP2473179A1. Nigella extracts for the treatment of symptoms connected to impaired or imbalanced neurotransmission. https://patentsgooglecom/patent/EP2473179A1/en. 2010.
4.         Dheeraj A, Bharti A. Antidepressant effect of Nigella sativa in stress-induced depression. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology - http://wwwindianjournalscom/ijoraspx?target=ijor:rjpt&volume=13&issue=4&article=001. 2020;13(4):1611 -4.
5.         Elkhayat ES, Alorainy MS, El-Ashmawy IM, Fat'hi S. Potential Antidepressant Constituents of Nigella sativa Seeds. Pharmacogn Mag. 2016;12(Suppl 1):S27-31.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27041854/
6.         Aquib M, Najmi AK, Akhtar M. Antidepressant Effect of Thymoquinone in Animal Models of Depression. Drug Res (Stuttg). 2015;65(9):490-4.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25207705/
7.         Khan MF, Khan MAS. Black seed: An excellent nutraceutical for brain function. https://wwwresearchgatenet/publication/292518268_Black_seed_An_excellent_nutraceutical_for_brain_function. 2014.