Overview
What is black seed?
What are black seed’s main benefits?
What are black seed’s main drawbacks?
How does black seed work?
Dosage information
Black seed is typically taken in the form of an oil or a ground powder, taken orally at a dosage of 1 to 3 grams daily. For people with type 2 diabetes, preliminary research suggests that 2 grams daily may be the sweet spot for achieving beneficial effects on lipids and blood glucose.[1]
For topical use, most research has used preparations containing 10% to 20% black seed applied twice daily.
While black seed is available in various forms (seed oil, water extract, or whole ground seed), water extracts seem to be less effective, likely because thymoquinone (the main active compound in black seed) is fat-soluble. The whole ground seed and oil appear similarly effective, although more research comparing the two is needed.[2][3]
It’s important to keep in mind that the chemical composition of black seed can vary greatly depending on how it is grown, harvested, and processed. This could lead to inconsistent effects of black seed with seemingly equivalent doses.[4]
Because of the high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in black seed, storing the supplement in the fridge in a dark, sealed container may help prevent oxidation.[5]
Examine Database: Black seed
Research FeedRead all studies
Does black-seed oil improve cardiovascular risk factors in type 1 diabetes?
In this 3-month randomized controlled trial in 60 children and adolescents (average age of 12) with type 1 diabetes, black seed improved several cardiovascular risk factors.
Black seed has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Can black seed oil improve lupus symptoms?
Black seed for polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents
Can black seed help with allergic rhinitis?
Frequently asked questions
What are some of the traditional and historical uses of black seed?
Does black seed improve skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, or eczema?
Could black seed be beneficial during a COVID-19 infection?
Does black seed improve symptoms of asthma or allergic rhinitis?
Does black seed improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
Update History
Full FAQ and database update
major
References
Examine Database References
- Total cholesterol - Jamal Hallajzadeh, Alireza Milajerdi, Moein Mobini, Elaheh Amirani, Susan Azizi, Elhameh Nikkhah, Babak Bahadori, Razieh Sheikhsoleimani, Seyyed Mehdi MirhashemiEffects of Nigella sativa on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and biomarkers of inflammatory and oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trialsPhytother Res.(2020 Oct)
- Total cholesterol - Qidwai W, Hamza HB, Qureshi R, Gilani AEffectiveness, safety, and tolerability of powdered Nigella sativa (kalonji) seed in capsules on serum lipid levels, blood sugar, blood pressure, and body weight in adults: results of a randomized, double-blind controlled trialJ Altern Complement Med.(2009 Jun)
- Blood Pressure - Kavyani Z, Musazadeh V, Safaei E, Mohammadi Asmaroud M, Khashakichafi F, Ahrabi SS, Dehghan PAntihypertensive effects of Nigella sativa supplementation: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Phytother Res.(2023-Aug)
- Endothelial Function - Ali M, Tantawi M, Kamel AH, Tameemi ZF, Rezk AA, Abdo M, Mostafa RS, Ramadan A, Elmasry M, Bahbah EIEndothelial Function Responses to Nigella sativa (Black Seed) Supplementation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Cureus.(2024 May 25)
- Total cholesterol - Bin Sayeed MS, Asaduzzaman M, Morshed H, Hossain MM, Kadir MF, Rahman MRThe effect of Nigella sativa Linn. seed on memory, attention and cognition in healthy human volunteersJ Ethnopharmacol.(2013 Jul 30)
- Total cholesterol - Datau EA, Wardhana, Surachmanto EE, Pandelaki K, Langi JA, FiasEfficacy of Nigella sativa on serum free testosterone and metabolic disturbances in central obese maleActa Med Indones.(2010 Jul)
- Immunity - Işik H, Cevikbaş A, Gürer US, Kiran B, Uresin Y, Rayaman P, Rayaman E, Gürbüz B, Büyüköztürk SPotential adjuvant effects of Nigella sativa seeds to improve specific immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis patientsMed Princ Pract.(2010)
- Asthma Symptoms - Kalus U, Pruss A, Bystron J, Jurecka M, Smekalova A, Lichius JJ, Kiesewetter HEffect of Nigella sativa (black seed) on subjective feeling in patients with allergic diseasesPhytother Res.(2003 Dec)
- Allergy Symptoms - Nikakhlagh S, Rahim F, Aryani FH, Syahpoush A, Brougerdnya MG, Saki NHerbal treatment of allergic rhinitis: the use of Nigella sativaAm J Otolaryngol.(2011 Sep-Oct)
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Sabzghabaee AM, Dianatkhah M, Sarrafzadegan N, Asgary S, Ghannadi AClinical evaluation of Nigella sativa seeds for the treatment of hyperlipidemia: a randomized, placebo controlled clinical trialMed Arh.(2012)
- Lung Function - Boskabady MH, Javan H, Sajady M, Rakhshandeh HThe possible prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa seed extract in asthmatic patientsFundam Clin Pharmacol.(2007 Oct)
- Heart Rate - Dehkordi FR, Kamkhah AFAntihypertensive effect of Nigella sativa seed extract in patients with mild hypertensionFundam Clin Pharmacol.(2008 Aug)
- Red Blood Cell Count - Eman Mahmoud Fathy Barakat, Lamia Mohamed El Wakeel, Radwa Samir HagagEffects of Nigella sativa on outcome of hepatitis C in EgyptWorld J Gastroenterol.(2013 Apr 28)
- Pain - Gheita TA, Kenawy SAEffectiveness of Nigella sativa oil in the management of rheumatoid arthritis patients: a placebo controlled studyPhytother Res.(2012 Aug)
- Blood glucose - Abdullah O Bamosa, Huda Kaatabi, Fatma M Lebdaa, Abdul-Muhssen Al Elq, Ali Al-SultanbEffect of Nigella sativa seeds on the glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusIndian J Physiol Pharmacol.(Oct-Dec 2010)
- Blood glucose - Saadati S, Naseri K, Asbaghi O, Abhari K, Zhang P, Li HB, Gan RYsupplementation improves cardiometabolic indicators in population with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Front Nutr.(2022)
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Kavyani Z, Musazadeh V, Golpour-Hamedani S, Moridpour AH, Vajdi M, Askari GThe effect of Nigella sativa (black seed) on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Inflammopharmacology.(2023-Jun)
- Lung Function - Boskabady MH, Farhadi JThe possible prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa seed aqueous extract on respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests on chemical war victims: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialJ Altern Complement Med.(2008 Nov)
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - Shabani M, Ghavidel F, Rajabian A, Homayouni-Tabrizi M, Jamialahmadi T, Hosseini H, Sahebkar AEffect of Nigella sativa Consumption on Lipid Profile and Glycemic Index in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Curr Med Chem.(2024-Jan-23)
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - Najmi A, Nasiruddin M, Khan RA, Haque SFEffect of Nigella sativa oil on various clinical and biochemical parameters of insulin resistance syndromeInt J Diabetes Dev Ctries.(2008 Jan)
- Seizure Frequency - Akhondian J, Kianifar H, Raoofziaee M, Moayedpour A, Toosi MB, Khajedaluee MThe effect of thymoquinone on intractable pediatric seizures (pilot study)Epilepsy Res.(2011 Jan)
- Bone-specific Alkaline Phosphatase - Kheiridoost-Langaroodi H, Shakouri SK, Amirpour M, Iranshahi AM, Farshbaf-Khalili AThe Effect of Selected Herbal Medicines on Bone Turnover Markers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.J Family Reprod Health.(2022-Mar)