This ancient remedy is the secret weapon of fitness fanatics
Black seed has been a relatively little-known natural remedy in Australia despite its history dating back to ancient Egypt, but now more Aussies are reaping the rewards from its health benefits.
Known for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, consumers say it boosts immunity and minimises joint pain and inflammation.
It's believed even Cleopatra used it in her beauty routine, and Pharaoh Tutankhamen was buried with black seeds inside his tomb to take with him to the 'afterlife'.
Melbourne man and WA Strongman competitor Deni Omeragic has been taking black seed oil daily for the last two years after coming across it through his Bosnian heritage.
After hitting rock bottom with his immunity due to over-training, Mr Omeragic turned to the ancient ingredient in search of a natural solution. Deni Omeragic has been taking the remedy daily. Credit: Supplied
Since then, the 30-year-old claims he's only 'been sick once' — and credited black seed as his 'secret weapon' while preparing for the WA Strongman Championship this month.
'It's the only supplement that I consistently take,' the father of two said.
'I take a tablespoon of oil morning and night.'
Mr Omeragic said during his first year of training for the strongman competition, which consisted of heavy weightlifting, he would get 'so sick' from 'training hard and overworking my body'.
'I needed a way around this, so I looked into black seed oil, and honestly, since then, my immunity, my gut health, it reduces inflammation, it's a natural antioxidant, boosts recovery, like all of those things, it really does help,' he said. Deni Omeragic used black seed oil while prepping for the WA Strongman competition. Credit: Supplied
Mr Omeragic said he thought more Aussies were turning to the natural wellness solution post-COVID-19.
'I think a lot of people want to go organic. The fitness world is trying to be more natural,' he said, adding that several of his gym and bodybuilding friends have been getting on the trend.
'It's not like an alternative to modern medicine, but it's a prevention from getting unwell.'
Azam Kassim, the founder of a leading black seed products manufacturer, Hab Shifa, said it was effective due to containing an active compound called thymoquinone.
'For thousands of years, black seed has been a treasured remedy across Middle Eastern and Asian cultures and has recently garnered worldwide attention over the last decade due to the mounting research that continues to validate its endless benefits,' he said. Black seed dates back thousands of years. Credit: Supplied
'We're seeing a surge in popularity—especially among the fitness crowd—who rely on black seed to supercharge their immune system during training, stay strong through winter, and bounce back faster from fatigue or illness.
'We believe the recent attention black seed has been receiving in the health world can be attributed to its unique compound called thymoquinone - known to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial power.
'This is thought to be what drives black seed's ability to strengthen your immune response, calm inflammation and support healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels.'
Black seed can be added to food or taken as an oil or capsule.
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