Our new sore muscle blend, After Oil, has a complex mixture of ingredients to achieve that perfect reparative warming sensation. Some are old favourites (like Peppermint Essential Oil), while others are new to the vitruvi repertoire—including Black Cumin Seed Oil. And we’re so excited about it.
Black Cumin Seed Oil is great for tending to sweaty skin thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Officially called the nigella seed, it comes from the flowering Nigella sativa plant native to the Middle East and South Asia. The crop has quite a history, and according to the Smithsonian, was mentioned in the Old Testament and praised for its wellness abilities by the prophet Muhammad; it was also reportedly discovered in King Tut’s tomb and used by eternal Egyptian beauty queen Cleopatra. The seed itself can be used in cooking and is said to have its own health benefits including aiding digestion and immunity, but the oil released from the kernel also hawks plenty of goodness when applied topically.
For starters, it contains vitamins A, B, and C, as well as essential fatty acids, amino acids, and antioxidant properties; all this helps soothe irritation of sore muscles, maintain elasticity, protect from free radicals, and reduce clogged pores (which is especially useful after sweating). It also helps smooth and nourish the skin, and can even spark the healing process from any aggressive activity.
Basically, the carrier oil extracted from these tiny black seeds holds a plethora of wellness wins that make it the perfect post-movement remedy. That doesn’t have to mean an intense workout, of course; our After Oil is meant for all bodies, however those bodies choose to move. At the end of the day, you know yourself best—we’re just aiding your overall wellness along the way.