NIGELLA SATIVA TREATS JOINT AND ARTHRITIS PAIN
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THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS WHICH I PERSONALLY HAVE RECOMMENDED FOR MY CLIENTS. READ OUR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT.
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There are times when joint pains restrict our day to day activities. The joints can either be painful or also inflamed. The inflammation leads to one of the most common cause of the joint disorder, which is arthritis.
The term arthritis is derived from two Greek words 'artho' means joint and 'itis' means inflammation. There are almost 100 different varieties of arthritis which include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and related autoimmune diseases. Osteoarthritis is a most common form of arthritis which is mainly developed in elderly population due to age-related sarcopenia (loss of musculoskeletal mass and strength) and increased bone loss; whereas rheumatoid arthritis is an outcome of systemic inflammation and critical joint disease. The usual symptoms associated with arthritis are pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness.
The recent National Health Interview Survey data showed that a 22.7 percent of adults in the United States suffer from arthritis and if it continues like this, one in four Americans will have arthritis by 2030. [1] |
Currently, this is not just a case by case issue through the prevalence of the condition, but even has an impact on the whole society. According to the report of the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey during 1996 to 2011, the arthritis-related conditions caused the highest health-care expenditures i.e. almost 192 percent. [2]Therefore, it is high time we should be cautious about any joint pain.
Our nature provides us a natural painkiller and swelling reducer in the form of Nigella sativa. This herb is one of the most important folk medicinal ingredient and gradually attracting the herbal researchers because of its multifaceted health benefits. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect are one of the primary health benefits of Nigella sativa. In 1960, Prof. El-Dakhakny had first reported that the anti-inflammatory of Nigella sativa can be effective to provide symptomatic relief in arthritis. [3]
Our nature provides us a natural painkiller and swelling reducer in the form of Nigella sativa. This herb is one of the most important folk medicinal ingredient and gradually attracting the herbal researchers because of its multifaceted health benefits. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect are one of the primary health benefits of Nigella sativa. In 1960, Prof. El-Dakhakny had first reported that the anti-inflammatory of Nigella sativa can be effective to provide symptomatic relief in arthritis. [3]
Why we choose Nigella sativa over synthetic analgesic?
Surgical intervention, medication, and alternative therapies are the usually available treatments for joint pain, including osteoarthritis. The commonly prescribed medicine for any type of joint pain is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). However, several studies showed that these medications may increase the risk of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders.
Excessive use of synthetic NSAIDs can inhibit the cartilage matrix synthesis and can degrade the cartilages present between the joints, which further deteriorate the joint health. Nigella sativa is one of the plant-based therapeutic agents which has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect and does not increase the side effect burden. [4]
Surgical intervention, medication, and alternative therapies are the usually available treatments for joint pain, including osteoarthritis. The commonly prescribed medicine for any type of joint pain is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). However, several studies showed that these medications may increase the risk of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders.
Excessive use of synthetic NSAIDs can inhibit the cartilage matrix synthesis and can degrade the cartilages present between the joints, which further deteriorate the joint health. Nigella sativa is one of the plant-based therapeutic agents which has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect and does not increase the side effect burden. [4]
How Nigella sativa alleviate joint pain and inflammation?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Thymoquinone, the active ingredient of Nigella sativa is the primary ingredient to provide protection against rheumatoid arthritis. Thymoquinone can alter the disease induced signaling pathways by eliminating the factors involved in the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. These research findings have clinically established that Nigella sativa is an important herb to prevent joint disorders. [5]
Sterols and other bioactive polyphenols along with Thymoquinone content in Nigella sativa, have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Nigella sativa contains 13.1 percent of campesterol, which possess anti-inflammatory property. [4, 6] The different researchers proposes following mechanism of actions of Nigella sativa for reducing pain and inflammation:
• Nigella sativa is potent antioxidant, which reduces oxidative stress induced joint inflammatory condition.
• Nigella sativa can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis pathway by modulating COX2 pathway.
• The different inflammatory mediators including cytokines, interleukins, TNF-α, and transcription factor βK are inhibited by Nigella sativa.
• Nigella sativa also reduce the nitric oxide synthesis.
• Nigella sativa modulate pain signaling in the brain and provide analgesic effect. In addition, anti-inflammatory effect of Nigella sativa also provide pain reducing effect.[4]
• Additional benefit of administration of Nigella sativa along with other conventional medications in joint disorders is to provide protection to the liver and kidney from the usual side effects obtained by administering conventional medications. Because Nigella sativa has hepato-protective and nephroprotective effects. [5]
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Thymoquinone, the active ingredient of Nigella sativa is the primary ingredient to provide protection against rheumatoid arthritis. Thymoquinone can alter the disease induced signaling pathways by eliminating the factors involved in the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. These research findings have clinically established that Nigella sativa is an important herb to prevent joint disorders. [5]
Sterols and other bioactive polyphenols along with Thymoquinone content in Nigella sativa, have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Nigella sativa contains 13.1 percent of campesterol, which possess anti-inflammatory property. [4, 6] The different researchers proposes following mechanism of actions of Nigella sativa for reducing pain and inflammation:
• Nigella sativa is potent antioxidant, which reduces oxidative stress induced joint inflammatory condition.
• Nigella sativa can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis pathway by modulating COX2 pathway.
• The different inflammatory mediators including cytokines, interleukins, TNF-α, and transcription factor βK are inhibited by Nigella sativa.
• Nigella sativa also reduce the nitric oxide synthesis.
• Nigella sativa modulate pain signaling in the brain and provide analgesic effect. In addition, anti-inflammatory effect of Nigella sativa also provide pain reducing effect.[4]
• Additional benefit of administration of Nigella sativa along with other conventional medications in joint disorders is to provide protection to the liver and kidney from the usual side effects obtained by administering conventional medications. Because Nigella sativa has hepato-protective and nephroprotective effects. [5]
Available Evidence supports efficacy of Nigella sativa against joint Disorders
In 1995, a laboratory research performed at Kings College demonstrated that the different phytochemicals including thymoquinone possess anti-inflammatory effect, as this herbal remedy can inhibit eicosanoid synthesis. In addition, researchers also demonstrated the antioxidant property of the Nigella sativa. [3]
Another experimental research conducted in Saudi Arabia reported that the topical application of Nigella sativa oil provides anti-inflammatory effect as similar as other commercial anti-inflammatory ointment. The oil is safe to use on skin, as it does not cause any skin allergy. [3]
A clinical trial conducted on 40 women with rheumatoid arthritis got benefitted by administering 500 mg capsule of Nigella sativa oil twice a day. The study result showed that patients had improved activity level by ingesting the Nigella sativa oil capsules. Nigella sativa can control joint inflammation and associated pain symptom. The study evaluator concluded that Nigella sativa is a potential disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). [7]
Another study conducted on elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis even showed that topical application of Nigella sativa oil on the knee joint for thrice daily for 3 weeks provide pain relief. The effect is more promising than acetaminophen. [4]
In 1995, a laboratory research performed at Kings College demonstrated that the different phytochemicals including thymoquinone possess anti-inflammatory effect, as this herbal remedy can inhibit eicosanoid synthesis. In addition, researchers also demonstrated the antioxidant property of the Nigella sativa. [3]
Another experimental research conducted in Saudi Arabia reported that the topical application of Nigella sativa oil provides anti-inflammatory effect as similar as other commercial anti-inflammatory ointment. The oil is safe to use on skin, as it does not cause any skin allergy. [3]
A clinical trial conducted on 40 women with rheumatoid arthritis got benefitted by administering 500 mg capsule of Nigella sativa oil twice a day. The study result showed that patients had improved activity level by ingesting the Nigella sativa oil capsules. Nigella sativa can control joint inflammation and associated pain symptom. The study evaluator concluded that Nigella sativa is a potential disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). [7]
Another study conducted on elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis even showed that topical application of Nigella sativa oil on the knee joint for thrice daily for 3 weeks provide pain relief. The effect is more promising than acetaminophen. [4]
Direction to use
Dosing
The extracted Nigella sativa seed oil can be used as a liquid dosage form; however Nigella sativa oil supplement capsules are also available in the market. The recommended dosage of Nigella sativa seed oil is 500 mg twice per day for joint inflammation and associated pain symptom. [7]
For Rheumatic Pain
Topical application of slightly warm Nigella sativa oil with gentle massage on the affected joint can reduce the pain. The anti-inflammatory effect of Nigella sativa oil can dissolve the crystallization formed in the affected joint and improve blood circulation to heal up the joint injury. Both, inflammation reduction and improvement of the blood circulation provide analgesic effect. An oral dose of 1 teaspoon of Nigella sativa oil twice daily is also recommended as it improve the immune functioning, as the rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system disorder. [8,9]
For Treating Joint Inflammation
Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of Nigella sativa oil with honey and take daily to get maximum relief from joint inflammation. [8]
For Joint Pain Remedy
External application of Nigella sativa oil to the affected joint provide immediate relief from joint pain due to its anti-inflammatory effect. [8]
Dosing
The extracted Nigella sativa seed oil can be used as a liquid dosage form; however Nigella sativa oil supplement capsules are also available in the market. The recommended dosage of Nigella sativa seed oil is 500 mg twice per day for joint inflammation and associated pain symptom. [7]
For Rheumatic Pain
Topical application of slightly warm Nigella sativa oil with gentle massage on the affected joint can reduce the pain. The anti-inflammatory effect of Nigella sativa oil can dissolve the crystallization formed in the affected joint and improve blood circulation to heal up the joint injury. Both, inflammation reduction and improvement of the blood circulation provide analgesic effect. An oral dose of 1 teaspoon of Nigella sativa oil twice daily is also recommended as it improve the immune functioning, as the rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system disorder. [8,9]
For Treating Joint Inflammation
Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of Nigella sativa oil with honey and take daily to get maximum relief from joint inflammation. [8]
For Joint Pain Remedy
External application of Nigella sativa oil to the affected joint provide immediate relief from joint pain due to its anti-inflammatory effect. [8]
References
- Johnson VL, Hunter DJ: The epidemiology of osteoarthritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2014;28:5–15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24792942
- Tuhina Neogi; Joint Pain Epidemiology; FACT SHEET No. 11. http://iasp.files.cmsplus.com/Content/ContentFolders/GlobalYearAgainstPain2/2016/FactSheets/English/11.%20Joint%20Pain%20Epidemiology.pdf
- Black seed oil Benefits; https://archive.org/stream/BlackSeedsBenefits/Black-Seeds-Benefits_djvu.txt
- Akram Kooshki, Reza Forouzan, Mohammad Hassan Rakhshani, Maryam Mohammadi; Effect of Topical Application of Nigella Sativa Oil and Oral Acetaminophen on Pain in Elderly with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Crossover Clinical Trial. Electron Physician. 2016 Nov; 8(11): 3193–3197. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5358924/
- Black Seed Oil for Rheumatoid Arthritis; https://www.nabiblackseedoil.com/black-seed-oil-rheumatoid-arthritis/
- Gheita TA, Kenawy SA. Effectiveness of Nigella sativa oil in the management of rheumatoid arthritis patients: a placebo controlled study. Phytother Res. 2012 Aug;26(8):1246-8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3679. Epub 2011 Dec 12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22162258
- BRENDAN WADE (2017); 101 Black Seed Oil Benefits to Consider While Undergoing Life’s Wear & Tear. https://www.diamondherbs.co/black-seed-oil-benefits/
- NATURAL BLACK SEED REMEDIES. https://theblessedseed.com/natural-black-seed-remedies/
