The ingredient has been around for thousands of years, relevant in many cultures, so it at the very least has ample anecdotal evidence. But can it actually stimulate hair growth at the hair follicle? Well, that might not be as straightforward as it seems—however, that doesn’t mean it’s not a valuable addition to your hair care routine. Along with unsaturated fatty acids like linoleic acid, the key to black seed oil’s impressive benefits is mostly thanks to the chemical compound thymoquinone. “Most of its therapeutic properties are attributed to thymoquinone (TQ), a major active chemical component that possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties,” Krupa Koestline, clean cosmetic chemist and founder of KKT Consultants, explains. She also says the seeds have natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Founder and lead formulator of JBK Wellness Labs Jenelle Kim, master herbologist and doctor of Chinese medicine, also notes that thymoquinone is an antihistamine, which has been “known to help promote new hair growth for thicker hair or regrowth in areas where hair may have been lost.” With all these beneficial components, Koestline says that the oil was often used to treat a wide variety of health conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, rheumatism, hypertension, eczema, and influenza. Beyond this, though, black seed oil has also been used for thousands of years to promote hair growth. But does it actually work? A 2014 study found that a mixture of coconut oil and black seed oil applied to a shaved scalp three times a day was more effective for hair growth than a combination of coconut oil and aleurites moluccana (also known as the Indian walnut). Though this small study wasn’t conclusive enough to make a larger statement, it was enough to justify looking into black seed oil’s effectiveness further. Just dab a bit of the oil into dry strands and use the pads of your fingers to apply medium-firm pressure, moving them in circular motions. You can get a little fancier with scalp-massaging tools like the Mount Lai Jade Massaging Gua Sha Comb or Ceremonia Scalp Masajeador. But sometimes it’s nice to just keep it simple. So whether you’re using it as a pre-shampooing treatment or applying it to the ends of your strands to soften split ends, don’t ignore the impressive benefits of black seed oil for healthy, shiny, beautiful hair. Now if you’re on the hunt for other hair growth tips, might we suggest a hair growth supplement?
