HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BLACK CUMIN SEED OIL
THIS ARTICLE WAS MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY DR. NITESH SINGH ON NOVEMBER 1ST, 2018
AND WRITTEN BY NURSE ANGELA MAE BATUTO
THIS ARTICLE IS COPYRIGHTED FOR NIGELLASATIVACENTER.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS I RECOMMEND. PLEASE SEE OUR DISCLOSURE POLICY.
AND WRITTEN BY NURSE ANGELA MAE BATUTO
THIS ARTICLE IS COPYRIGHTED FOR NIGELLASATIVACENTER.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS I RECOMMEND. PLEASE SEE OUR DISCLOSURE POLICY.
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Nigella sativa is one of the most widely used medicinal plant in the world. It commonly forms part of preparations in various traditional medicinal practises like Ayurveda, Unani and Tibb.
Black seed oil (Nigella sativa) is fast becoming one of the most popular oil due to its long list of health and medicinal benefits. In Islamic literature. It is considered on of the greatest forms of healing medicine. Traditionally used as a cure-all, it has quite a reputation to live up to. It has been widely used as antihypertensive, liver tonics, diuretics, digestive, anti-diarrhoeal, appetite stimulant, analgesics, anti-bacterial and in skin disorders. It contains many useful compounds for the human body. It contains Omega fatty acids that are beneficial for cardiovascular health, and Nigelloine and Thymoquinone, which are potent antioxidants. Nigella sativa has got the place among the top ranked evidence based herbal medicine. |
Black seed oil is sourced from the seeds of Nigella sativa – a plant with tall stalks and flowers that feature elongated petals and are full of seeds.
These seeds contained within the flowers are cold-pressed. In this article, we will share the benefits of producing homemade black seed oil and the proper way to do it.
These seeds contained within the flowers are cold-pressed. In this article, we will share the benefits of producing homemade black seed oil and the proper way to do it.
What are the Benefits of Pressing Your Own Oil
Like most drinks and food that are processed and produced in huge quantities and made to sit on grocery stores for long periods of time, these bottled oils contain preservatives in order to lengthen the shelf life.
The problem with adding preservatives is that it hugely affects the oil’s integrity and may affect its nutritional benefits such as Omega-3 fatty acid, which is rich in most oils such as Black cumin seed oil.
The most important active compounds are thymoquinone (30%-48%), thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, p-cymene (7%-15%), carvacrol (6%-12%), 4-terpineol (2%-7%), t-anethol (1%-4%), sesquiterpene longifolene (1%-8%) α-pinene and thymol etc. Most of the therapeutic properties of this plant are due to the presence of thymoquinone (TQ) which is a major active chemical component of the essential oil.
Every type of oil has distinct additional medicinal benefits for different aspects of the body, from the skin and hair to the organs. When you look at the various types of oils and the fats, you will begin to realize the benefits of oil press and why it’s better to make your own oil.
The use of oil press to produce your own oils offers many advantages
The most important reason is that you know what is in the oil. Most commercially produced oils are diluted with cheaper oils or vegetable oils to produce larger quantities and reduce their intensity.
If you check the ingredients of most oil, you’ll learn that they’re not 100 percent pure. When you press your own oil, you can make 100 percent pure oil, with zero dilution. The advantage of cold press oil are endless and makes your family healthier.
Indeed, pressing your own oils offers you complete control on what goes in your oil. No preservatives or additives and no alterations to its chemical structure. Only pure oil that is full of many health benefits and some containing essential nutrients for the body.
Another advantage of using oil press is that you only make the oil you need. When you press your own oil, the result is fresh oil all the time, which is prominently flavorful, richer and fuller tasting. In addition, this will make you use less oil than you normally would with a store-bought one.
Lipid oxidation is the primary deterioration process that happens in most oils, causing changes in the flavor, aroma and viscosity of the oil. This can also affect the enzymes and nutrients present in it. When you use fresh oil, there’s very little lipid oxidation that occurs and thus, the nutritional aspect of the oil remains intact.
Further, it’s important to note that without the preservatives added, some of the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated oils won’t last long on the storage so it is best to produce as much as you need.
Like most drinks and food that are processed and produced in huge quantities and made to sit on grocery stores for long periods of time, these bottled oils contain preservatives in order to lengthen the shelf life.
The problem with adding preservatives is that it hugely affects the oil’s integrity and may affect its nutritional benefits such as Omega-3 fatty acid, which is rich in most oils such as Black cumin seed oil.
The most important active compounds are thymoquinone (30%-48%), thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, p-cymene (7%-15%), carvacrol (6%-12%), 4-terpineol (2%-7%), t-anethol (1%-4%), sesquiterpene longifolene (1%-8%) α-pinene and thymol etc. Most of the therapeutic properties of this plant are due to the presence of thymoquinone (TQ) which is a major active chemical component of the essential oil.
Every type of oil has distinct additional medicinal benefits for different aspects of the body, from the skin and hair to the organs. When you look at the various types of oils and the fats, you will begin to realize the benefits of oil press and why it’s better to make your own oil.
The use of oil press to produce your own oils offers many advantages
The most important reason is that you know what is in the oil. Most commercially produced oils are diluted with cheaper oils or vegetable oils to produce larger quantities and reduce their intensity.
If you check the ingredients of most oil, you’ll learn that they’re not 100 percent pure. When you press your own oil, you can make 100 percent pure oil, with zero dilution. The advantage of cold press oil are endless and makes your family healthier.
Indeed, pressing your own oils offers you complete control on what goes in your oil. No preservatives or additives and no alterations to its chemical structure. Only pure oil that is full of many health benefits and some containing essential nutrients for the body.
Another advantage of using oil press is that you only make the oil you need. When you press your own oil, the result is fresh oil all the time, which is prominently flavorful, richer and fuller tasting. In addition, this will make you use less oil than you normally would with a store-bought one.
Lipid oxidation is the primary deterioration process that happens in most oils, causing changes in the flavor, aroma and viscosity of the oil. This can also affect the enzymes and nutrients present in it. When you use fresh oil, there’s very little lipid oxidation that occurs and thus, the nutritional aspect of the oil remains intact.
Further, it’s important to note that without the preservatives added, some of the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated oils won’t last long on the storage so it is best to produce as much as you need.
Oil Pressing – How It Works
Expeller pressing is a process of extracting oil using a mechanical press instead of using chemical extraction process.
An expeller press is a machine that presses seeds and nuts using a barrel, creating pressure and friction to press the ingredients. The extracted oil is collected through small holes while the pulp is expelled.
This process produces clean, pure oil that is rich in natural flavor and colors.
Expeller pressing is a process of extracting oil using a mechanical press instead of using chemical extraction process.
An expeller press is a machine that presses seeds and nuts using a barrel, creating pressure and friction to press the ingredients. The extracted oil is collected through small holes while the pulp is expelled.
This process produces clean, pure oil that is rich in natural flavor and colors.
How to Make Your Own Black Seed Oil
Making your own black cumin seed oil is an excellent way to reap the health benefits of Nigella sativa seeds while avoiding the impurities, contaminants and other problems that come with store-bought oils.
In addition, this means that your oil stock is always fresh, since you only press the oil whenever you need it.
In this process, you only need organic black cumin seeds and an oil press machine. Here’s the procedure:
Step 1: Buy an oil pressing machine. Read its operation manual carefully to be familiar with its operating method and features. A lot of oil presses will press oil from nuts or seeds that have high fat content. Black cumin seeds contains 35 percent fats and oil, making them ideal for using this method.
Step 2: Clean the black cumin seed and let it dry. Make sure the seeds are free of any dirt or sand to ensure a clean, pure oil, free from any forms of contaminants.
Step 3: Thoroughly clean the machine to make sure there’s no residue or pulp from previous oil pressings getting into your oil.
Step 4: Gather all the parts of the machine and follow the instructions that comes with it. Put the oil container in the designated area and place a small bowl to gather the pulp from the seeds. This is referred to as seed cake.
Step 5: Fill the bottle with paraffin oil and turn on the small burn for 10 minutes or when the press feels warm. Warming the press will produce more oil. This method is still considered cold-pressed oil as the temperature is below 40 degrees Celsius. If it seems the oil is too warm, use a smaller flame. In places with room temperature above 25 degrees Celsius, there’s no need to use a burner.
Step 6: Put the seeds inside the funnel and turn on the machine. When you make regular squeeze, be sure to feed oil seeds evenly but not excessively.
Step 7: The seed oil will take time to fall so be patient. Observe the oil press machine. The seed cake should be expelling into the bowl.
Step 8: Continue filling the funnel with black cumin seeds until the oil bottle is full.
Step 9: The pressed black cumin seed oil is usually turbid right after the press. For a clear oil, leave it to sit for a few days in a warm, dry place. Let any remnants to settle down on the bottle.
Now that you have your very own black cumin seed oil, you can use it in different ways. Culinary uses include drizzling on salads, adding on soups and in smoothies, juices and shakes. When using the oil for eating, be sure not to cook it as the heat may damage the medicinal compounds.
In other cases, it can be taken alone. Most naturopaths and health experts recommend taking 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the oil twice a day every morning and before bedtime.
Making your own black cumin seed oil is an excellent way to reap the health benefits of Nigella sativa seeds while avoiding the impurities, contaminants and other problems that come with store-bought oils.
In addition, this means that your oil stock is always fresh, since you only press the oil whenever you need it.
In this process, you only need organic black cumin seeds and an oil press machine. Here’s the procedure:
Step 1: Buy an oil pressing machine. Read its operation manual carefully to be familiar with its operating method and features. A lot of oil presses will press oil from nuts or seeds that have high fat content. Black cumin seeds contains 35 percent fats and oil, making them ideal for using this method.
Step 2: Clean the black cumin seed and let it dry. Make sure the seeds are free of any dirt or sand to ensure a clean, pure oil, free from any forms of contaminants.
Step 3: Thoroughly clean the machine to make sure there’s no residue or pulp from previous oil pressings getting into your oil.
Step 4: Gather all the parts of the machine and follow the instructions that comes with it. Put the oil container in the designated area and place a small bowl to gather the pulp from the seeds. This is referred to as seed cake.
Step 5: Fill the bottle with paraffin oil and turn on the small burn for 10 minutes or when the press feels warm. Warming the press will produce more oil. This method is still considered cold-pressed oil as the temperature is below 40 degrees Celsius. If it seems the oil is too warm, use a smaller flame. In places with room temperature above 25 degrees Celsius, there’s no need to use a burner.
Step 6: Put the seeds inside the funnel and turn on the machine. When you make regular squeeze, be sure to feed oil seeds evenly but not excessively.
Step 7: The seed oil will take time to fall so be patient. Observe the oil press machine. The seed cake should be expelling into the bowl.
Step 8: Continue filling the funnel with black cumin seeds until the oil bottle is full.
Step 9: The pressed black cumin seed oil is usually turbid right after the press. For a clear oil, leave it to sit for a few days in a warm, dry place. Let any remnants to settle down on the bottle.
Now that you have your very own black cumin seed oil, you can use it in different ways. Culinary uses include drizzling on salads, adding on soups and in smoothies, juices and shakes. When using the oil for eating, be sure not to cook it as the heat may damage the medicinal compounds.
In other cases, it can be taken alone. Most naturopaths and health experts recommend taking 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the oil twice a day every morning and before bedtime.
References:
- Find out why black seed oil has stood the test of time. Online available at https://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/black-cumin-seed-oil.aspx
- How to make kalonji oil by Tina Cisneros. Online available at https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-make-kalonji-oil/
- The benefits of pressing your oil. Online available at https://www.vitality4life.co.uk/blog/healthy-lifestyle/benefits-of-pressing-your-own-oil/
- Expeller pressing. Online available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expeller_pressing
- Operation of the home hand oil press: How to press pure oil? Online available at https://www.piteba.com/en/content/14-operation-home-hand-oil-press-how-to-press-pure-oil
- Ahmad A, Husain A, Mujeeb M, et al. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2013;3(5):337-352. doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60075-1. Online available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3642442/
- Beheshti F, Khazaei M, Hosseini M. Neuropharmacological effects of Nigella sativa. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine. 2016;6(1):104-116. Online available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884225/
