Topical Black Seed Oil: A Hopeful Novel Treatment for Vitiligo Suffere

Topical Black Seed Oil: A Hopeful Novel Treatment for Vitiligo Sufferers

A powerful seed praised for thousands of years for its effects on human health may be used as an innovative remedy to vitiligo, recent study reveals.

A new study conducted by Sarac et. Al in University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey, investigated the effects of topical black seed application on vitiligo, a skin pigment disorder^(1). In this study, 33 patients with vitiligo participated. A cream containing black seed was applied to different areas of the body twice a day for 6 months. Repigmentation was assessed as the main study objective.

After daily topical application, it was found that black seed oil successfully resulted in repigmentation in all treated areas. A third of the patients experienced over 50% repigmentation after treatment, which supports the use of black seed as a powerful tool for sufferers of vitiligo.

Thymoquinone, the main active compound in black seed, is thought to have the ability to stimulate pigment cells to darken the skin tone via neurotransmitter action. Thymoquinone may also reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which can improve the skin’s condition.

Gulbahar suggested that not having a placebo group was a potential limitation, but the results on the treatment group provided a promising outcome. As this is a novel treatment and research area, the researchers urge larger trials to support the positive findings they achieved.

Due to the potency of thymoquinone, topical black seed oil application may be used as a natural adjuvant treatment option for sufferers of vitiligo and other skin conditions.

Author: Salma Dawood is a Technical Advisor at Viridian Nutrition. She holds a BSc honours degree in Human Nutrition.

References:
1) Gulbahar Sarac, Yelda Kapicioglu, Serpil Sener (2019) Effectiveness of topical Nigella sativa for vitiligo treatment Dermatologic Therapy. 2019;32:e12949

The information contained in this article is not intended to treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a health practitioner. Please consult a qualified health practitioner if you have a pre-existing health condition or are currently taking medication. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet.

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