Mental health? Low T? Population collapse? What's The Problem?  

Men in America are in bad shape. 

Not just physically (though, well, that too), but in almost every facet of life. Men now make up only 40.5% of college students, are 5x more likely to spend time in juvenile detention, and are failing high school at much higher rates (as Andrew Yang has called attention to). 

There’s also something happening at a biological level. As I’ve mentioned before, the average 22-year-old male today has the same testosterone as an average 67 year-old did… in the year 2000. In just over 20 years, our average male has seen his testosterone and average sperm count cut in half (1).  Today, 6 in 10 Americans have a chronic illness like heart disease or diabetes, and 4 in 10 have multiple diet-related chronic diseases. Diseases that were once rare are now common, and the trendlines are only getting worse. 

Credit: Justin Mares, The Next Episode newsletter (hyperlink above)

How Does Black Seed Oil Help With Men's Mental Health and Hormonal Optimization? 

Here are some links on testosterone benefits:

1. Effects of oral administration of black seed (Nigella sativa) oil on histomorphometric dynamics of testes and testosterone profile in rabbits

2. 7 incredible reasons why Nigella seeds are superfood for men

3. The effect of Nigella sativa oil and metformin on male seminal parameters and testosterone in Wistar rats exposed to an obesogenic diet

4. Black Seed Oil boosts testosterone level

5. Effect of Nigella Sativa Seed Powder on Testosterone and LH levels in Sterptozotocine Induced Diabetes male Albino Rats

The effects of Black Seed Oil on improving sperm count and quality in male fertility

The first three studies examined the effects on animals and the fourth is on human volunteers.

Study 1 – Effects of Nigella sativa (Habbatus sauda) Oil and Nicotine Chronic Treatments on Sperm Parameters and Testis Histological Features of Rats [iv]

This study compared two groups of rats, one was given black seed oil and the other corn seed oil.  Additionally the effects of nicotine were examined with a third group receiving nicotine and a fourth normal saline. The treatment was given for 100 days and then sperm count and quality was evaluated.

Conclusions: Nicotine reduced sperm motility and morphology of normal and live sperms and also affected the testis histology, while Black Seed Oil (Habbatus Sauda) increased sperm quality and gave better testis histological (microscopic examination) features.

Study 2 –The effect of Nigella Sativa Oil on the sex organs and sperm characters in rats exposed to hydrogen peroxide [ii]

Oxidative stress is one of the factors linked to poor quality sperm. A study on rats exposed to an oxidative stressor (hydrogen peroxide, H2O2) found that if Black Seed Oil was co-administered then the percentage of abnormal sperm was significantly reduced.

Conclusions: Nigella Sativa Oil possesses anti-oxidative actions to counteract impairment in sperm characters caused by H2O2 induced oxidative stress. Additionally the sperm count was boosted.

Study 3 –Effect of fixed oil of Nigella Sativa on male fertility in normal and hyperlipidemic rats. [iii]

High blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides are associated with poor semen quality and adverse effects on testicular function that may contribute to male infertility. The effect of Black Seed Oil on male fertility in normal and hyperlipidemic rats was studied.

Sperm motility, sperm abnormalities and sperm count were all evaluated. Oral administration of Nigella Sativa Oil to either normal or hyperlipidemic rats improved the fertility index as manifested by an increase in seminal vesicle weight, testosterone level, sperm motility and sperm count and a decrease in sperm abnormalities.

Conclusions: the administration of Black Seed Oil to hyperlipidemic rats improved their reproductive efficiency and produced additional protection against hyperlipidemia induced reduction in fertility.

Study 4 – Effects of Nigella Sativa L. Seed oil on abnormal semen quality in infertile men: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. [iv]

Nigella Sativa Seed Oil (2.5ml twice daily) was given to a group of infertile men (number=34) demonstrated to have abnormal semen quality. A control group (number=34) was given a placebo liquid paraffin (2.5ml twice daily). The study results showed that sperm count, motility and morphology, semen volume, pH and round cells were all improved significantly in the black seed oil treatment group compared with placebo group after 2 months.

In conclusion there are some highly promising results for the beneficial effects of Black Seed Oil on sperm count and sperm quality. Male infertility (which accounts for up to 50% of sub-fertility in couples trying to conceive [v]) may be improved by Black Seed Oil.

Black Seed Oil seems to have a positive effect on sperm count and or quality in all studies.

[i] Cho Ping N, Hashim NH, Hasan Adli DS. Effects of Nigella sativa (Habbatus sauda) Oil and Nicotine Chronic Treatments on Sperm Parameters and Testis Histological Features of Rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:218293. doi: 10.1155/2014/218293. Epub 2014 May 21.

[ii] Tawfeek FK, et al. Effect of Nigella sativa oil treatment on the sex organs and sperm characters in rats exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Mesopotamia J. Agric., Vol. 34. No. 1 (2006)

[iii] Bashandy SA, et al. Effect of fixed oil ofNigella sativaon male fertility in normal and hyperlipidemic rats. Inter. J. Pharmacol., 3(1): 27-33.

[iv] Kolahdooz M, et al. Effects of Nigella sativa L. seed oil on abnormal semen quality in infertile men: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.Phytomedicine. 2014 Mar 25. pii: S0944-7113(14)00108-1.

More on mental health factors: Neuropharmacological effects of Nigella sativa 

7 interesting facts about black cumin seed oil as a health elixir:

1. The nomenclature says it all!

The ancient Latin term for black seeds was ‘panacea’ which means all healing or ‘cure all’. The Arabs used to call Nigella Sativa seeds ‘Habbat el Baraka’ which literally translates to ‘seeds of blessing’.

2. Ancient Greek physicians sang praises of black cumin oil

Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician who is considered the father of early medicine, loved pure black seed oil and recommended it as a remedy for several ailments, particularly digestive issues. References to ‘melanthion’ (which literally means little black seed) can be found in multiple Hippocratic recipes. Galen, another Greek surgeon and philosopher listed both superficial and internal uses of black seed oil in his medicinal texts.

3. Tutankhamen took black seeds to his grave

Ancient Egyptians revered black cumin oil enough to bury it with their dead. The Egyptians believed that their dead would be resurrected in afterlife, so they buried essential ‘grave goods’ or artifacts along with the deceased. When the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamen, who ruled ancient Egypt from 1336-1327 BCE, was excavated, archeologists found remains of black seeds amongst his accompanying goods.

4. Black seed oil remedies were mentioned in Ayurvedic scriptures

References to black seeds or ‘Kalonji’ as it is called in India, can be found in ancient ayurvedic medicinal texts. Black cumin seed oil was used to cure boils and treat skin problems such as eczema. Ayurvedic texts also recommend the use of kalonji to build Agnior achieve metabolic balance.

5. Cleopatra and Nefertiti were fond of black cumin oil

Cleopatra, the ancient ruler of Egypt, was known for many things including her intellect, political advances and beauty.  Cleopatra used black cumin oil in her beauty treatments. Nefertiti, another majestic Egyptian Queen, also used black seed oil for her hair.

6. Ancient biblical texts mention Nigella Sativa 

Old Biblical texts like the Book of Isiah from Hebrew Bible also describe the use of black seeds in detail. The Book of Isiah refers to Nigella Sativa seeds as ‘curative black cumin’.

7. Black seeds are included in Sunnah Foods

Black seed oil also has a special status in Islam. Sunnah foods are basically food items that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) loved and recommended for the rest of the Muslim Ummah (community). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described black seeds as a universal cure. He said that the black seed was medicine for every disease except death. Hadith literature compiled in 8^thand 9^thcentury describes the medicinal benefits and uses of black seeds.