Why Every PCOS Sufferer Should be Using Nigella Sativa

  What is Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) refers to the most common endocrine disorder that affects women's hormone levels. The number of PCOS affecting women population is almost 10% in the world. This is commonly associated with metabolic dysfunction among young women.

Women with PCOS may produce a higher level of the male hormone named androgen (hyperandrogenism). This results in no, infrequent, or prolonged menstrual periods that make women difficult to become pregnant.

Anovulation and fertility problems are common during this condition. Women with this syndrome may suffer from multiple co-morbidities such as type II diabetes mellitus, obesity, heart disease, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, infertility, mental disorders, and endometrial cancer.

 According to Healthline.com , " Women with PCOS typically have multiple cysts in their ovaries, caused by an overproduction of hormones called androgens."

Around 50 percentTrusted Source of women with the disorder are overweight or obese. Common symptoms include: acne. hirsutism (excessive hairiness), male pattern baldness

Women with PCOS, particularly when its symptoms are not managed, may also be at greater risk for: heart disease, endometrial cancer,
diabetes,  high blood pressure.

Many women with PCOS find they’re able to manage their symptoms and reduce their risk of other medical concerns by controlling their diet and lifestyle choices.

       MALE HAIR LOSS          PRE-DIABETES           HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE           CANCER

BEST DIET
According to the Mayo Clinic the Dash diet is proven to be best with anti-inflammatory foods, fish, fruits and high fiber vegetables.  Spices such as black cumin, turmeric and night shade vegetables.

Avoid processed meat and red meats, sugary foods and drinks and processed carbs.

I suggest a vegetarian or vegan diet as being the best.  But remember many vegan and vegetarian foods are not healthy and be aware of some of the recipes on the internet.

How do you treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

Treatment of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) varies according to the symptoms it shows. To regulate the normal menstrual cycle, your doctor may recommend progestin therapy and birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progesterone to suppress the production of androgen hormone.

The ovulation can be synchronized by administrating synthetic medications like clomiphene, letrozole, metformin, gonadotropin, etc. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), metformin was used first in PCOS treatment as an insulin-sensitizing drug.

Excessive androgen sometimes results in excessive hair growth that can be controlled by birth control pill, spironolactone, or electrolysis.
But these medications have some side-effects. That's why we need a safer agent with minimum risks, and that will not exert any side-effect for the long-term during treatment.

Side Effects of Standard PCOS Treatments

Possible side effects of recommended medication "metformin" include vomiting, nausea, severe colic, anorexia, and diarrhea: Letrozole, a breast cancer medication widely used in this condition without having any license to treat PCOS. There might be a risk of multiple pregnancies because of the over-stimulation of ovaries after using gonadotropin hormones.

Based on these conventional synthetic medications' possible side-effects, researchers are working to develop a natural treatment that has lesser or no side-effects and can be widely used as an alternative to standard treatment. That's why we will discuss the Nigella sativa throughout this article.

How to Reverse PCOS by Using Nigella Sativa

 Nigella sativa, commonly known as black cumin, black seed, used as a therapeutic agent for a long time. It includes a wide range of beneficial properties like anti-microbial, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, laxative, neuroprotective, and regulating the menstrual cycle. Black seed contains fiver, ions, and essential minerals like zinc, copper, sodium, iron, etc.

Besides this, it also a rich source of fatty acids like stearic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, etc. It’s regarded as the greatest form of medicine in Islam. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated that the black seed could heal every disease except death.

Several studies suggest that Nigella sativa can play a functional role in reversing the effect of PCOS. Its active constituent, thymoquinone, exerts protective effects on the reproductive system and has an anti-diabetic properties1.

---

Effect of Nigella Sativa on Lipid Profile

A scientific study published in the year of 2018evaluates the combined effect of black seed hydro-alcoholic extract and honey on triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDL-C), glucose, and insulin in the PCOS rat model. A previous study shows that the administration of Nigella sativa decreases blood glucose, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase levels in diabetic rats.

Summarizing this study's information, it can be said that the administration of Nigella sativa extract and the honey combination can decrease the blood insulin, glucose, LDL-C, TG, and TC level. Thus, this study shows how Nigella sativa improves the blood lipid profile and insulin sensitivity in patients with PCOS2.

Nigella Sativa on the glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

A clinical study published in PLOS ONE Journal concluded that the long-term supplementation of Nigella sativa ethanol extract increases insulin secretion, stimulates the glucose uptake, enhances the pancreatic β-cells proliferation in type II diabetic patients. It is reported that the pancreatic β-cells are prone to damage by oxidative stress after exposure to hyperglycemic conditions.

The action of Nigella sativa helps to maintain a normal glycemic condition by exerting insulin-sensitizing action. Additionally, Nigella sativa has anti-oxidant action that can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and block the lipid peroxidation and prevent cellular damages3.

Nigella Sativa exerting prophylactic effect against cyclophosphamide in the ovarian follicles

The chemotherapeutic agent cyclophosphamide can affect female fertility by destructing the ovarian follicles and inducing ovarian damage. Ultimately, this leads to infertility in women. Cyclophosphamide induced oxidative damage of the ovarian follicle by increasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS). This alkaline agent destroys the primordial follicle during the early age of women.

Thymoquinone, the active compound of Nigella sativa, exerts an anti-oxidative effect to scavenge various radical oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals through different pathways.

Though scientists still haven't revealed the exact role of Nigella sativa (thymoquinone) during ovarian topography and function preservation. The current study demonstrated the prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa oil on ovarian injury caused by the agent cyclophosphamide4.

 Effect of Nigella sativa on oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea in PCOS

 Oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea refer to the infrequent and absence of a menstrual cycle, respectively. This might lead to anovulation that results in infertility among young women.

The consumption of Nigella sativa can induce ovulation as well as make the menstrual cycle regular.

A pilot study conducted by the traditional medicine researchers in Iran showed that the regular use of Nigella sativa reduces the risk factors of metabolic syndrome in women near menopause. The phyto-estrogenic effect of Nigella sativa produces effective mechanisms against oligo-amenorrhea in women 5.

Conclusions and our Suggestions

In conclusion, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an enigmatic reproductive disorder in young women. Still now, the pathogenesis of PCOS was not fully understood, and there is not an effective treatment for this disorder.

Many conventional medications like oral contraceptives address some unfavorable effects in the host like hyperglycemic conditions. Therefore, holistic approaches like Nigella sativa have proven its effectiveness in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) among women with no side effects.

Finally, based on several studies' results, it is safer to conclude that PCOS patients should use the Nigella Sativa Oil (black cumin) to ease the symptoms and get the benefit of this magic herb with no side effects.

My suggestion on the proper use of black seed oil

INTERNALLY -  Take 1 to 2 teaspoons of Perfect Press Black Seed Oil with 1 teaspoon of honey (I love Yemeni Sidr the best).  Some websites suggest milk, juice or coffee but these are not prophetic ways to take this and I will revert back to honey.  Honey has also been shown to be helpful in reversing PCOS by the India Times Article.

EXTERNALLY - For acne apply 1/2 teaspoon to your face in an upward massage.  Do this after cleansing well.  Then apply a high quality moisturizer.  For hair loss - apply the oil as needed in areas you are losing your hair.  Leave on for one hour and then shampoo as normal.  Do this once a week.  For the pelvic massage, do the same way we suggest for fibroids.  Massage one teaspoon (approximately to your lower pelvic and stomach area, focusing on the ovaries.  Place a heat pad on top and let the heat work for you for around 20 minutes.  Do this 3 times a week.  You can do this daily if you prefer.

Which Black Cumin OIl Do I Suggest?

I take this question seriously and there is only one oil I suggest.  

References
 
1. Javanshir ST, Yaghmaei P, Hajebrahimi Z. Thymoquinone ameliorates some endocrine parameters and histological alteration in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome. International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine. 2018;16(4):275–284. doi:10.29252/ijrm.16.4.275
2. Naseran SN, Mokhtari M, Abedinzade M. The Effects of Nigella sativa Hydro-alcoholic Extract and Honey on Lipid Profile and Indices of Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Wistar Rat Model.  Journal of Research in Medical and Dental Science . 2018.
3. Kaatabi H, Bamosa AO, Badar A, Al-Elq A, Abou-Hozaifa B, Lebda F, Al-Khadra A, Al-Almaie S. Nigella sativa improves glycemic control and ameliorates oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Placebo controlled participant blinded clinical trial. PLoS ONE. 2015;10(2):1–15. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0113486
4. Kamarzaman S, Shaban M, Abdul Rahman S. The prophylactic effect of Nigella Sativa against cyclophosphamide in the ovarian follicles of matured adult mice: A preliminary study. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences. 2014;24(1):81–88.
5. Naeimi SA, Tansaz M, Hajimehdipoor H, Saber S. Comparing the Effect of Nigella sativa oil Soft Gel and Placebo on Oligomenorrhea, Amenorrhea and Laboratory Characteristics in Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a Randomized Clinical Trial. Research Journal of Pharmacognosy (RJP). 2019;7(1):49–58. http://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_99289.html. doi:10.22127/rjp.2019.206178.1530