Black seed oil is pressed from the seeds of Nigella sativa.

Essential Oils & Aromatherapy · Carrier oil

Black Seed Oil (Nigella)

Nigella sativa (seed oil; main compound thymoquinone) · also called Black cumin oil, Nigella oil, kalonji oil, aceite de comino negro.

Black seed oil is pressed from the seeds of Nigella sativa. It is used on the skin and hair, in food and in capsules. Trials of black seed products found small average drops in blood sugar and blood pressure, and one small trial found better asthma scores, but most trials mix oil with powder and seed. The main caution is the skin: severe allergic and blistering reactions have been reported, and there are medicine cautions.

General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update October 25, 2026 · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made

About Black Seed Oil (Nigella)

Black seed oil is pressed from the seeds of Nigella sativa and used on skin and hair, in food and in capsules. Evidence for benefits is thin to modest and mixes oil with powder and seed. The main caution is skin reactions, which have been severe in case reports.

What it is

Black seed oil comes from the seeds of Nigella sativa L., in the Ranunculaceae family (GBIF accepted name). It is also called black cumin oil. It is not cumin.

The main active compound is thymoquinone. One lab study found the amount differed several-fold between supercritical-extracted and cold-pressed oil.

^{12 27 24}

How it is used

It is sold as a skin and hair oil, a food oil, capsules and as an ingredient in ointments. A 2021 review calls the plant one of the most extensively used traditional medicinal plants. That is a report of use, not a tested benefit.

It is a carrier-type oil, not an essential oil. The seed also has a separate volatile oil. Because of the skin reaction reports, it should not be assumed to be a gentle carrier for diluting other oils.

¹⁹

What the research shows

Blood sugar and blood pressure: several meta-analyses found small average falls, but trials differ a lot, are short, and pool oil with powder and seed. In one analysis oil did better on blood sugar and powder on blood pressure.

Asthma: one small oil capsule trial and a 4-trial meta-analysis found slightly better control scores added to usual treatment.

Skin: one small hand eczema trial, one vitiligo trial against fish oil. Knee osteoarthritis and hay fever: very small evidence. Many meta-analyses share authors from Iranian universities, and funding is not stated in most abstracts.

^{25 20 28 21 7 30 22 17 31 14 4 18}

Forms, quality and buying

Pressed oil, volatile oil, capsules and ointments are different products. Thymoquinone differed several-fold by extraction method in one lab study.

Check the label for Nigella sativa and a single ingredient, and whether it is meant for food or for skin. Do not swallow an oil sold for skin only. We found no study testing shop bottles for blending or contamination.

²⁴

At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

A 2021 review calls Nigella sativa one of the most extensively used traditional medicinal plants. This is a report of use, not proof.

Studied for research

Blood sugar, low (swallowed products, forms mixed)
Blood pressure, low (small average fall, forms mixed)
Weight and BMI, very low
Asthma control, low (one small oil capsule trial)
Hand eczema, very low (one small trial)
Vitiligo, very low (one small trial)
Knee osteoarthritis markers, very low
Allergic rhinitis, very low
Use in children, insufficient

Main compounds

Thymoquinone, the main active compound (a skin allergen in a case report)
Caryophyllene and other terpenes
Amounts differ with how the oil is made

Common forms

Pressed (fatty) seed oil for skin, hair and food
Volatile (essential) oil of the seed, a different product
Capsules and supplements
Ointments and gels in trials

Research links: Black seed products and metabolic health, meta-analysis (abstract) · Black seed and blood pressure, meta-analysis (abstract) · Black seed oil capsules and asthma, randomised trial (abstract) · Severe skin reactions to black cumin oil, case series (abstract) · Bleeding case with black seed oil (abstract) · Black seed in children, systematic review (abstract) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

What it is and its history

Accepted scientific name: Nigella sativa
Naming authority: L.
Common names: Black seed oil (English); Black cumin oil (English); Nigella oil (English); Kalonji oil (English); Aceite de comino negro (Spanish)
Family or group: Ranunculaceae
Classification: Plantae > Ranunculaceae > Nigella > Nigella sativa
Native range: Not checked in a source we read.
Habitat: Not checked.
What it looks like: Roots: Not checked.; Stems: Not checked.; Leaves: Not checked.; Flowers: Not checked.; Fruit: Not checked.
Cultivation: Not checked.
Harvest and processing: One lab study compared oil made by supercritical extraction with cold-pressed oil; thymoquinone differed several-fold. The seed also has a separate volatile (essential) oil, which is a different product.
Look-alikes and adulterants: Name: Cumin oil; Note: Different plant (Cuminum cyminum).; Name: Black seed essential (volatile) oil; Note: A different product from the pressed fatty oil; the uterus lab study used the volatile oil.
Sustainability and conservation: Not checked.

Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof

Tradition or era	Documented use	Source
Traditional medicine	A 2021 review calls Nigella sativa one of the most extensively used traditional medicinal plants. We did not read a source that details which regions or conditions, so we do not list them.	p34649338

Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.

What is inside, and how it may work

What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
Thymoquinone PubChem 10281	quinone	Seed oil 6.63 mg/mL in supercritical-extracted oil and 1.56 mg/mL in cold-pressed oil in one lab study.	Main bioactive compound per reviews (lab work). A case report names it as a skin allergen. ^{24 16 23}	Lab analysis
Caryophyllene PubChem 5281515	terpene	Seed oil 17.47% of the oil's main constituents in one analysis.	No activity tested in the sources read. ²⁴	Lab analysis

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
Oxidative stress and inflammation (lab)	Not specified	Reviews say black cumin and thymoquinone reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in lab and animal work. In people, one small knee trial lowered hs-CRP; mechanisms were not tested. ^{16 4}	Lab and animal

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: Not described in the human studies read.
Distribution: Not described.
Metabolism: Not described.
Elimination: Not described.
Bioavailability: Not described.

Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

Pressed seed oil, volatile oil, powder, capsules, ointments and thymoquinone are different products. Trials pool them. Where an analysis compared forms, results went both ways: oil lowered fasting glucose more than powder, and powder lowered blood pressure more than oil.

Nutritional composition

Black seed oil is a plant oil used on skin, as a food oil and in capsules. We found no source here giving its calories, vitamin content or fatty acid shares.

9benefits and uses looked at

32studies and sources checked

Low certaintybest evidence rating found

4lab markers tracked in trials

3 low certainty5 very low certainty1 not enough evidence

What is Black Seed Oil (Nigella) good for?

What the research shows for each use, and how strong it is. None of it is proven. Most trials mix oil, powder and seed, and many come from a few research groups in Iran. Read the Safety tab too.

Blood sugar (fasting glucose and HbA1c)Low certaintyFour meta-analyses of small trials found lower fasting glucose and HbA1c on average, for example -18.62 mg/dL and -0.56 HbA1c in 31 trials. Insulin resistance did not change. Differences between trials were huge (I2 over 90% in one), and forms were mixed. One analysis found oil lowered fasting glucose more than powder. Blood pressureLow certaintyMeta-analyses found falls of about 3 mmHg (systolic) and 2.7 to 2.8 mmHg (diastolic). In the one analysis that compared forms, powder worked better than oil. Trials were short and varied a lot. Body weight and BMIVery low certaintyA 2026 meta-analysis of 31 trials found about 1.6 kg lower weight on average, with an interval close to zero. Waist size did not change. Asthma control (added to usual treatment)Low certaintyIn an 80-person, 4-week trial of black seed oil capsules, the Asthma Control Test score was 21.1 vs 19.6 with placebo (p=0.044) and eosinophils fell, but lung function did not change significantly. A meta-analysis of 4 trials was similar. A quarter of the trial's people dropped out. Hand eczemaVery low certaintyOne 60-person trial found a Nigella ointment improved faster than a plain moisturiser and about as well as a steroid ointment over 4 weeks. Many people missed visits, and the abstract does not say the ointment was plain oil. Vitiligo (patchy loss of skin colour)Very low certaintyIn a 52-person, 6-month trial in Ahvaz, Iran, the lesion score fell from 4.98 to 3.75 with Nigella oil and from 4.98 to 4.62 with fish oil. There was no placebo. Knee osteoarthritis (inflammation marker and quality of life)Very low certaintyIn a 45-person, 6-week trial, swallowed oil lowered hs-CRP compared with placebo (-0.81) and improved some quality-of-life scores. Pain scores are not in the abstract. Allergic rhinitis (hay fever type nose symptoms)Very low certaintyA meta-analysis of 8 trials found better nasal symptom scores with Nigella products. The authors note few studies of lower quality, and forms were mixed. Use in childrenNot enough evidenceA review of 15 trials in children found no statistically significant side effects but called the research limited. It does not show safety or benefit for children.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Blood sugar (fasting glucose and HbA1c)

Low certainty

Meta-analyses of many small trials found lower fasting blood sugar and HbA1c on average after taking black seed products. The results differ a lot between trials, and most trials did not use plain oil.

4 studiesTrials used many forms (powder, seed, oil, capsules). Amounts are in …

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Several meta-analyses of randomised trials, mostly in people with type 2 diabetes or metabolic disease. They pool oil, powder, seed and capsules.

Results

Fasting glucose fell by about 10 to 19 mg/dL and HbA1c by about 0.6 percentage points in two meta-analyses. No effect on insulin or insulin resistance. Heterogeneity was over 90% in one.

Effect sizes as reported

Fasting glucose -9.93 and -18.62 mg/dL; HbA1c -0.57 and -0.56 (see studies).

Why this rating

Consistent direction across four meta-analyses, but very high heterogeneity, small short trials, forms pooled, and heavy overlap of Iranian research groups. One meta-analysis found oil lowered fasting glucose more than powder, which is a subgroup finding.

Form and dose studied

Trials used many forms (powder, seed, oil, capsules). Amounts are in the papers and are not given here.

Who was studied

Mostly adults with type 2 diabetes or metabolic disease.

Limits

Mixed forms. Surrogate markers only. Small trials are often published by the same few groups. Not a test of oil on its own.

Why researchers looked

Black seed is used traditionally for diabetes, and the main compound thymoquinone has been studied in the lab.

Traditional use

Black seed oil has been used traditionally for many conditions. These are reports of use, not proof that it works.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Not established in the abstracts read.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Not a replacement for diabetes, blood pressure or asthma care. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you use it. See the Safety tab.

^{25 7 30 20}

Blood pressure

Low certainty

Meta-analyses found small average falls in blood pressure, about 3 mmHg, after black seed products. The oil did less well than powder in one analysis.

3 studiesTrials used many forms (powder, seed, oil, capsules). Amounts are in …

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Three meta-analyses of randomised trials: 11 trials in 2016, and larger ones in 2023 and 2026 that pool many forms.

Results

Systolic fell about 3.1 to 3.3 mmHg and diastolic about 2.7 to 2.8 mmHg versus control. In the 2016 analysis powder gave a bigger fall than oil.

Effect sizes as reported

Systolic -3.06 to -3.26 mmHg; diastolic -2.69 to -2.80 mmHg (see studies).

Why this rating

Small average effect, very high heterogeneity (I2 up to 97%) in the 2023 analysis, short trials, mixed forms, and overlapping Iranian authors. The one analysis that compared forms favoured powder over oil.

Form and dose studied

Trials used many forms (powder, seed, oil, capsules). Amounts are in the papers and are not given here.

Who was studied

Adults with normal or high blood pressure, or with metabolic disease.

Limits

Blood pressure readings are a marker, not heart attacks or strokes. The effect is small next to blood pressure medicines.

Why researchers looked

Black seed is used traditionally for the heart and blood pressure.

Traditional use

Black seed oil has been used traditionally for many conditions. These are reports of use, not proof that it works.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Not established in the abstracts read.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Not a replacement for diabetes, blood pressure or asthma care. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you use it. See the Safety tab.

^{28 21 25}

Body weight and BMI

Very low certainty

One meta-analysis of 31 trials found about 1.6 kg lower weight on average. The result was close to no effect and quality varied.

1 studiesTrials used many forms (powder, seed, oil, capsules). Amounts are in …

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A 2026 meta-analysis of 31 trials (2,145 people with metabolic diseases).

Results

Weight and BMI fell on average; waist size and insulin resistance did not change.

Effect sizes as reported

Weight -1.59 kg (95% CI -3.03 to -0.15); BMI -0.51 kg/m2

Why this rating

The weight interval almost touches zero, waist measures did not change, forms were pooled and quality varied.

Form and dose studied

Trials used many forms (powder, seed, oil, capsules). Amounts are in the papers and are not given here.

Who was studied

Adults with metabolic disease.

Limits

Not a trial of oil on its own.

Why researchers looked

Black seed is sold for weight control.

Traditional use

Black seed oil has been used traditionally for many conditions. These are reports of use, not proof that it works.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Not established in the abstracts read.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Not a replacement for diabetes, blood pressure or asthma care. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you use it. See the Safety tab.

²⁵

Asthma control (added to usual treatment)

Low certainty

One small trial of black seed oil capsules for 4 weeks improved asthma control scores a little compared with placebo. A meta-analysis of 4 trials agreed, but the evidence is thin.

3 studiesOil capsules in the one trial. Amounts are in the paper and are not g…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One randomised, placebo-controlled trial of black seed oil capsules in 80 adults with asthma, plus two meta-analyses of 4 trials.

Results

Asthma Control Test score 21.1 vs 19.6 (p=0.044) and lower blood eosinophils. Lung function change was not significant in the trial; the meta-analysis found a small FEV1 gain. Capsules were added to usual treatment.

Effect sizes as reported

ACT 21.1 vs 19.6; eosinophils -50 vs +15 cells/uL

Why this rating

The oil trial was small and short, a quarter of people dropped out, and p values were near 0.05. The two meta-analyses report identical numbers from the same four trials, so they count as one.

Form and dose studied

Oil capsules in the one trial. Amounts are in the paper and are not given here.

Who was studied

Adults with asthma.

Limits

Four weeks only. Extra to usual medicine, not a replacement. Never stop asthma medicines on the basis of this.

Why researchers looked

Black seed oil is used traditionally for asthma and allergies.

Traditional use

Black seed oil has been used traditionally for many conditions. These are reports of use, not proof that it works.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Not established. The authors point to inflammation markers, but the trial measured only blood eosinophils and IgE.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Not a replacement for asthma medicines. See the Safety tab.

^{22 17 15}

Hand eczema

Very low certainty

One small trial in 60 people with hand eczema found a Nigella ointment improved symptoms faster than a plain moisturiser, and about as well as a steroid ointment. It is one small trial, and skin reactions are a real risk.

1 studiesA Nigella ointment twice a day. Amounts are in the paper and are not …

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One randomised, double-blind trial: Nigella ointment versus betamethasone versus Eucerin for 4 weeks.

Results

Nigella and betamethasone improved eczema scores and life-quality scores faster than Eucerin; Nigella and betamethasone did not differ.

Effect sizes as reported

Sizes not in the abstract.

Why this rating

One small trial, short, many missed visits, and the abstract does not say the product was plain seed oil.

Form and dose studied

A Nigella ointment twice a day. Amounts are in the paper and are not given here.

Who was studied

Adults aged 18 to 60 with new hand eczema.

Limits

The product is described as an ointment. Not repeated. Skin reactions to black seed oil are reported elsewhere, including severe ones.

Why researchers looked

Black seed is used traditionally for skin conditions.

Traditional use

Black seed oil has been used traditionally for many conditions. These are reports of use, not proof that it works.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Black seed oil on the skin has caused severe rashes in case reports. Patch test first and ask a doctor. See the Safety tab.

³¹

Vitiligo (patchy loss of skin colour)

Very low certainty

One small trial of black seed oil on vitiligo patches found a slightly bigger improvement than fish oil after 6 months. There was no placebo, and no strong conclusion is possible.

2 studiesOil on the lesions twice a day for 6 months. Amounts are in the paper…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One randomised, double-blind trial of 52 people in Ahvaz, Iran, comparing Nigella sativa oil with fish oil. A systematic review lists it without calling it proven.

Results

VASI score fell from 4.98 to 3.75 with Nigella oil and 4.98 to 4.62 with fish oil. No adverse effects were reported by the patients.

Effect sizes as reported

VASI 4.98 to 3.75 vs 4.98 to 4.62

Why this rating

One small trial from one clinic, fish oil as comparison instead of placebo, no p value in the abstract.

Form and dose studied

Oil on the lesions twice a day for 6 months. Amounts are in the paper and are not given here.

Who was studied

Adults with vitiligo.

Limits

Fish oil may itself have an effect. Skin reactions to black seed oil are reported elsewhere.

Why researchers looked

Black seed oil is used traditionally on skin patches.

Traditional use

Black seed oil has been used traditionally for many conditions. These are reports of use, not proof that it works.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Black seed oil on the skin has caused severe rashes in case reports. Patch test first and ask a doctor. See the Safety tab.

^{14 29}

Knee osteoarthritis (inflammation markers and quality of life)

Very low certainty

One 6-week trial in 45 people with knee osteoarthritis found swallowed black seed oil lowered a blood marker of inflammation and improved some quality-of-life scores compared with placebo.

1 studiesSwallowed oil and oil on the knee were tested. Amounts are in the pap…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One triple-arm, double-blind randomised trial of swallowed oil, oil on the knee, or placebo.

Results

hs-CRP fell with swallowed oil versus placebo; quality-of-life scores improved with swallowed and applied oil. The abstract does not report pain or joint function.

Effect sizes as reported

hs-CRP adjusted mean difference -0.81 (95% CI -1.45 to -0.19)

Why this rating

Only 45 people, 6 weeks, one trial, a blood marker rather than pain, and no pain scores in the abstract.

Form and dose studied

Swallowed oil and oil on the knee were tested. Amounts are in the paper and are not given here.

Who was studied

Adults with knee osteoarthritis.

Limits

Small, short, not repeated.

Why researchers looked

Black seed oil is used traditionally for joint pain and inflammation.

Traditional use

Black seed oil has been used traditionally for many conditions. These are reports of use, not proof that it works.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Swallowed oil: see the Safety tab. Do not use instead of arthritis care.

⁴

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever type nose symptoms)

Very low certainty

A 2024 meta-analysis of 8 trials found Nigella products helped nasal symptoms more than comparison treatment. The authors say there were few studies of lower design quality.

1 studiesForms and amounts differ between trials and are not given here.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A meta-analysis of 8 randomised trials; forms of Nigella were pooled.

Results

Higher 'effective rate' (odds ratio 4.24) and better nasal symptom scores. Side effects were transient and no more common than in controls.

Effect sizes as reported

Effective rate OR 4.24 (2.57 to 7.27)

Why this rating

Few studies, lower design quality as the authors say, forms pooled, results not specific to oil.

Form and dose studied

Forms and amounts differ between trials and are not given here.

Who was studied

People with allergic rhinitis.

Limits

Not a test of oil alone.

Why researchers looked

Black seed is used traditionally for allergies.

Traditional use

Black seed oil has been used traditionally for many conditions. These are reports of use, not proof that it works.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

See the Safety tab.

¹⁸

Use in children

Not enough evidence

A 2025 review of 15 trials in children found no statistically significant side effects, but it calls the research limited. It does not show that black seed oil is safe or helpful for children.

1 studiesNot applicable.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A systematic review of 15 clinical trials in children, with a meta-analysis of side effects.

Results

No statistically significant side effects and no severe adverse effects. Most trials reported improvements.

Effect sizes as reported

Not given in the abstract.

Why this rating

Few trials, different forms and doses, no oil-specific result, and the review asks for better studies.

Form and dose studied

Not applicable.

Who was studied

Children (ages not stated in the abstract).

Limits

No result for plain black seed oil on children's skin. Skin reaction case reports exist (see Safety tab).

Why researchers looked

Black seed products are given to children in some places.

Traditional use

Black seed oil has been used traditionally for many conditions. These are reports of use, not proof that it works.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Not applicable.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Ask a children's doctor before using any black seed product on or in a child.

Connections to the rest of health

How Black Seed Oil (Nigella) connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

A. Wellness goals

Connected to	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Blood Sugar Balance	Low certainty	Blood sugar (fasting glucose and HbA1c): Meta-analyses of many small trials found lower fasting blood sugar and HbA1c on average after taking black seed products. The results differ a lot between trials, and most trials did not use plain oil.	^{25 7 30 20}
Metabolic Health	Low certainty	Blood sugar (fasting glucose and HbA1c): Meta-analyses of many small trials found lower fasting blood sugar and HbA1c on average after taking black seed products. The results differ a lot between trials, and most trials did not use plain oil.	^{25 7 30 20}
Blood Pressure Support	Low certainty	Blood pressure: Meta-analyses found small average falls in blood pressure, about 3 mmHg, after black seed products. The oil did less well than powder in one analysis.	^{28 21 25}
Heart Health	Low certainty	Blood pressure: Meta-analyses found small average falls in blood pressure, about 3 mmHg, after black seed products. The oil did less well than powder in one analysis.	^{28 21 25}
Weight Management	Very low certainty	Body weight and BMI: One meta-analysis of 31 trials found about 1.6 kg lower weight on average. The result was close to no effect and quality varied.	²⁵
Lung Support	Low certainty	Asthma control (added to usual treatment): One small trial of black seed oil capsules for 4 weeks improved asthma control scores a little compared with placebo. A meta-analysis of 4 trials agreed, but the evidence is thin.	^{22 17 15}
Breathing Support	Low certainty	Asthma control (added to usual treatment): One small trial of black seed oil capsules for 4 weeks improved asthma control scores a little compared with placebo. A meta-analysis of 4 trials agreed, but the evidence is thin.	^{22 17 15}
Healthy Skin	Very low certainty	Hand eczema: One small trial in 60 people with hand eczema found a Nigella ointment improved symptoms faster than a plain moisturiser, and about as well as a steroid ointment. It is one small trial, and skin reactions are a real risk. Vitiligo (patchy loss of skin colour): One small trial of black seed oil on vitiligo patches found a slightly bigger improvement than fish oil after 6 months. There was no placebo, and no strong conclusion is possible.	^{31 14 29}
Skin Health	Very low certainty	Hand eczema: One small trial in 60 people with hand eczema found a Nigella ointment improved symptoms faster than a plain moisturiser, and about as well as a steroid ointment. It is one small trial, and skin reactions are a real risk. Vitiligo (patchy loss of skin colour): One small trial of black seed oil on vitiligo patches found a slightly bigger improvement than fish oil after 6 months. There was no placebo, and no strong conclusion is possible.	^{31 14 29}
Joint Support	Very low certainty	Knee osteoarthritis (inflammation markers and quality of life): One 6-week trial in 45 people with knee osteoarthritis found swallowed black seed oil lowered a blood marker of inflammation and improved some quality-of-life scores compared with placebo.	⁴
Inflammation Balance	Very low certainty	Knee osteoarthritis (inflammation markers and quality of life): One 6-week trial in 45 people with knee osteoarthritis found swallowed black seed oil lowered a blood marker of inflammation and improved some quality-of-life scores compared with placebo.	⁴
Immune Support	Very low certainty	Allergic rhinitis (hay fever type nose symptoms): A 2024 meta-analysis of 8 trials found Nigella products helped nasal symptoms more than comparison treatment. The authors say there were few studies of lower design quality.	¹⁸
Seasonal Wellness	Very low certainty	Allergic rhinitis (hay fever type nose symptoms): A 2024 meta-analysis of 8 trials found Nigella products helped nasal symptoms more than comparison treatment. The authors say there were few studies of lower design quality.	¹⁸
Preventive Wellness	Not enough evidence	Use in children: A 2025 review of 15 trials in children found no statistically significant side effects, but it calls the research limited. It does not show that black seed oil is safe or helpful for children.	¹

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Endocrine System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Blood sugar (fasting glucose and HbA1c)	^{25 7 30 20}
Metabolism Weight	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Blood sugar (fasting glucose and HbA1c) Studied for: Body weight and BMI	^{25 7 30 20}
Cardiovascular System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Blood pressure	^{28 21 25}
Respiratory System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Asthma control (added to usual treatment) Studied for: Allergic rhinitis (hay fever type nose symptoms)	^{22 17 15 18}
Skin Hair Beauty	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Hand eczema Studied for: Vitiligo (patchy loss of skin colour)	^{31 14 29}
Integumentary System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Hand eczema Studied for: Vitiligo (patchy loss of skin colour)	^{31 14 29}
Musculoskeletal System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Knee osteoarthritis (inflammation markers and quality of life)	⁴
Pain Inflammation	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Knee osteoarthritis (inflammation markers and quality of life)	⁴
Immune System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Allergic rhinitis (hay fever type nose symptoms) Studied for: Use in children	^{18 1}

E. Health conditions

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Contact dermatitis		Low certainty	Case series of 8 and single severe cases. Preparation or compound: Black seed oil on skin	^{32 13 23}
Hematoma		Not enough evidence	One case report. Preparation or compound: Black seed oil swallowed with blood thinners and chemotherapy	⁶
Asthma	Biological association	Low certainty	One small placebo-controlled trial and a 4-trial meta-analysis. Preparation or compound: Black seed oil capsules	^{22 17}

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: improved (lower). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{25 7 30}
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: improved (slightly lower). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{28 21 25}
Asthma Control Test score and blood eosinophils	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: improved. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{22 17}
hs-CRP (inflammation marker)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: improved (lower). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁴

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Thymoquinone	Biological association	Lab analysis	Main bioactive compound per reviews (lab work). A case report names it as a skin allergen. Preparation or compound: Seed oil	^{24 16 23}
Caryophyllene	Biological association	Lab analysis	No activity tested in the sources read. Preparation or compound: Seed oil	²⁴

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).

The evidence

The research centre for Black Seed Oil (Nigella). Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Blood sugar (fasting glucose and HbA1c) 4 studies Low certainty Blood pressure 3 studies Low certainty Body weight and BMI 1 studies Very low certainty Asthma control (added to usual treatment) 3 studies Low certainty Hand eczema 1 studies Very low certainty Vitiligo (patchy loss of skin colour) 2 studies Very low certainty Knee osteoarthritis (inflammation markers and quality of life) 1 studies Very low certainty Allergic rhinitis (hay fever type nose symptoms) 1 studies Very low certainty Use in children 1 studies Not enough evidence

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read the PubMed abstracts of 24 papers and the titles of 5 case reports, checked the plant name in GBIF and compounds in PubChem. The breastfeeding database page could not be opened, so it is cited from earlier notes and marked unverified. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. Funding is not stated in most abstracts.

Study library: every study we checked 32

Design Research type Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Product, dose, length	Result
Abumadini 2025 Clinical Uses of Nigella Sativa in Pediatrics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther · PMID 41112345 · DOI	Systematic review	15 clinical trials in children	Nigella sativa (different forms and doses) seed products Not given here Varied · vs Varied	No statistically significant side effects and no severe adverse effects. Most studies reported improvements, but the authors say studies are limited and more high-quality work is needed. Not given (Not given) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Safety (side effects) and clinical outcomes Limitations: Limited number of studies. Forms and doses differed. Not specific to oil. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Adiwidjaja 2021 Effect of Nigella sativa oil on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of gliclazide in rats. Biopharm Drug Dispos · PMID 34327715 · DOI	Animal pharmacokinetic rat	10 Healthy and insulin-resistant rats (n=5 per group)	Nigella sativa oil with the diabetes medicine gliclazide seed oil Not given here Single doses · vs n/a	With the oil, rats absorbed 29% more gliclazide and cleared it 20% more slowly. Healthy rats had up to 50% more blood-sugar lowering than with gliclazide alone; insulin-resistant rats did not. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Blood levels of gliclazide, blood sugar Limitations: Rat study with 5 animals per group. The authors say the clinical importance 'merits further evaluation'. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared. Read: abstract
Alam 2020 Effect of Nigella sativa and Fenugreek on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Amlodipine in Hypertensive Rats. Curr Drug Metab · PMID 32407268 · DOI	Animal pharmacokinetic rat	Hypertensive rats	Nigella sativa (form not stated in the abstract) with amlodipine seed oil Not given here Not stated · vs n/a	Nigella sativa lowered blood pressure and heart rate in rats, and with amlodipine gave better blood pressure control. It did not change amlodipine's main blood levels. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Blood pressure, heart rate, amlodipine blood levels Limitations: Rat study. The product is not described as oil in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared. Read: abstract
Amirtaheri Afshar 2023 The efficacy of Nigella sativa L. oil on serum biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A parallel triple-arm double-blind randomized controlled trial. Food Sci Nutr · PMID 38107142 · DOI	RCT	45 45 people with knee osteoarthritis in three groups	Nigella sativa oil, swallowed in one group and put on the knee in another seed oil Not given here 6 weeks · vs Placebo oils for both routes	Swallowed oil lowered hs-CRP compared with placebo (adjusted difference -0.81, 95% CI -1.45 to -0.19) and improved some quality-of-life scores; the oil on the skin improved quality of life. The abstract reports the hs-CRP fall for swallowed oil only. hs-CRP adjusted mean difference -0.81 (swallowed oil vs placebo) (-1.45 to -0.19) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: hs-CRP, oxidative stress markers, quality of life Limitations: Only 45 people, about 15 per group, 6 weeks. The abstract gives no joint pain or function scores. One trial. Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared. Read: abstract
Aqel 1996 Effects of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds on the uterine smooth muscle of rat and guinea pig. J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 8733115 · DOI	Lab rat and guinea pig (tissue)	Isolated rat and guinea pig uterus tissue	Volatile (essential) oil of Nigella sativa seeds, a different product from the pressed oil seed oil Not given here Lab test · vs n/a	The volatile oil reduced spontaneous uterine movements and those caused by oxytocin, in a way that grew with concentration and reversed on washing. The authors suggest 'anti-oxytocic' potential. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Uterine muscle movement Limitations: Lab tissue from animals, 1996, and the volatile oil rather than pressed black seed oil. It says nothing directly about pregnancy in women. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: abstract
Arab 2026 Extensive Subcutaneous Hematoma in a Patient Receiving Nigella sativa Oil, Dual Antiplatelet Therapy, and Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy: A Case Report. Hosp Pharm · PMID 42682876 · DOI	Case report	1 A 51-year-old man with colon cancer on FOLFOX plus cetuximab and two antiplatelet medicines, in a trial of the oil for nerve damage from chemotherapy	Nigella sativa oil swallowed seed oil Not given here Weeks (dose was raised during the trial) · vs n/a	After the dose was raised he developed a large bruise-like swelling under the skin and a low platelet count (52 x 10^3/uL). All suspect agents were stopped and it cleared in 10 days. He later took a lower amount of the oil without bleeding returning. The authors rated it a 'possible' adverse drug reaction (Naranjo score 4). Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Bleeding, platelet count Limitations: One person with several other bleeding risks, so the oil's part is uncertain. Published online Aug 2026. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared. Read: abstract
Askari 2019 Effect of Nigella sativa (black seed) supplementation on glycemic control: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Phytother Res · PMID 30873688 · DOI	Meta-analysis	17 randomised trials (number of people not stated in the abstract)	Nigella sativa as oil or powder seed products Not given here Not stated in the abstract · vs Control groups in each trial	Lower fasting glucose, after-meal glucose and HbA1c on average. In a subgroup, oil lowered fasting glucose more than powder. Fasting glucose -9.93 mg/dl; after-meal glucose -14.79 mg/dl; HbA1c -0.57% (Fasting -13.44 to -6.41; after-meal -24.19 to -5.39; HbA1c -0.77 to -0.37) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Fasting plasma glucose, after-meal glucose, HbA1c Limitations: Trial quality and heterogeneity not given in the abstract. Subgroup finding is not a head-to-head trial. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Burle 2026 Acute Localized Exanthematous Pustulosis-Like Dermatitis Induced by Nigella sativa Seed Oil. Contact Dermatitis · PMID 42896557 · DOI	Case report	1 Case report (details not available)	Nigella sativa seed oil seed oil Not given here n/a · vs n/a	The title states a pustular skin rash induced by the seed oil. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pustular skin eruption Limitations: Title only; no abstract. Online ahead of print. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: title-only
Chu 2026 Bullous cutaneous reaction mimicking Stevens-Johnson syndrome due to Nigella sativa supplement ingestion. JAAD Case Rep · PMID 42699335 · DOI	Case report	1 Case report (details not available)	Nigella sativa supplement swallowed seed oil Not given here n/a · vs n/a	The title states a blistering reaction that looked like Stevens-Johnson syndrome after swallowing a Nigella sativa supplement. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Blistering skin reaction Limitations: Title only; no abstract. This was a swallowed supplement, not oil on the skin. Funding and conflicts: No conflict disclosed. Read: title-only
Dehavay 2019 Local and systemic adverse skin reactions following the use of herbal products believed to contain Nigella sativa seeds and oil. Contact Dermatitis · PMID 30478848 · DOI	Case report	Case reports (details not available)	Herbal products believed to contain Nigella sativa seed oil Not given here n/a · vs n/a	The title reports local and body-wide skin reactions after herbal products believed to contain black seed and its oil. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Skin reactions, local and body-wide Limitations: Title only; no abstract. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared. Read: title-only
Fargeas 2022 Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome after topical use of Nigella sativa (black cumin) oil. Contact Dermatitis · PMID 35419842 · DOI	Case report	1 Case report (details not available)	Black cumin oil put on the skin seed oil Not given here n/a · vs n/a	The title states DRESS syndrome (a serious drug reaction) after putting the oil on the skin. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: DRESS syndrome Limitations: Title only; no abstract in PubMed, so no patient details. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared. Read: title-only
GBIF Secretariat 2026 GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Nigella sativa L. api.gbif.org · Source	Database record n/a	n/a	n/a n/a Not given here n/a · vs n/a	GBIF API match on 2026-10-25: Nigella sativa L. is an ACCEPTED species (key 5371700), exact match, family Ranunculaceae, genus Nigella. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Accepted name and family Limitations: Name check only. Read: full-text
Gelot 2012 Bullous drug eruption with Nigella sativa oil. Ann Dermatol Venereol · PMID 22482483 · DOI	Case report	1 A 53-year-old woman, hospitalised with fever and blistering rash	Nigella sativa oil put on the skin and also swallowed for two weeks seed oil Not given here Two weeks · vs n/a	Fever, red plaques and blisters. Biopsy resembled toxic epidermal necrolysis. Patch tests to the oil were strongly positive. Healing was slow and pale patches persisted three months later. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Rash and skin biopsy Limitations: One case, reported in French. Because she also swallowed the oil, the authors could not rule out a body-wide reaction. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared. Read: abstract
Ghorbanibirgani 2014 Comparing Nigella sativa Oil and Fish Oil in Treatment of Vitiligo. Iran Red Crescent Med J · PMID 25068060 · DOI	RCT	52 52 people with vitiligo, two equal groups	Nigella sativa oil put on the lesions twice a day seed oil Not given here 6 months · vs Fish oil put on the lesions	VASI fell from 4.98 to 3.75 with Nigella oil and from 4.98 to 4.62 with fish oil. No adverse effect was reported by the patients. VASI 4.98 to 3.75 vs 4.98 to 4.62 (Not given) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) Limitations: Small, one clinic in Ahvaz, Iran. No placebo (fish oil is not an inactive comparison). No p value in the abstract. A systematic review lists it but does not call it proven. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Han 2021 The efficacy of Nigella sativa supplementation for asthma control: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. Postepy Dermatol Alergol · PMID 34658694 · DOI	Meta-analysis	4 randomised trials	Nigella sativa supplements (forms pooled) seed products Not given here Not stated in the abstract · vs Control groups in each trial	Reports the same numbers as the 2020 meta-analysis, with the same 4 trials and the same search date. It is probably a near-duplicate and is not an independent confirmation. ACT SMD 0.50; FEV1 SMD 1.84 (ACT 0.11 to 0.88; FEV1 0.07 to 3.60) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Asthma Control Test, FEV1, PEF, IL-4, interferon-gamma Limitations: Identical abstract numbers to He 2020, so counted once for certainty. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared in the abstract. Read: abstract
Hannan 2021 Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.): A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemistry, Health Benefits, Molecular Pharmacology, and Safety. Nutrients · PMID 34073784 · DOI	Review n/a	n/a	Nigella sativa seed and thymoquinone seed Not given here n/a · vs n/a	The review calls black cumin a highly valued nutraceutical herb and says thymoquinone is its main bioactive component. It covers lab effects on oxidative stress and inflammation and notes herb-drug interaction and safety issues, but it says the plant is 'far from clinical application'. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Review of lab and clinical research Limitations: Narrative review; the abstract gives no specific safety findings. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared. Read: abstract
He 2020 The influence of Nigella sativa for asthma control: A meta-analysis. Am J Emerg Med · PMID 31892440 · DOI	Meta-analysis	4 randomised trials of Nigella sativa for asthma	Nigella sativa supplements (forms pooled) seed products Not given here Not stated in the abstract · vs Control groups in each trial	Higher Asthma Control Test scores and FEV1; no clear effect on PEF, IL-4 or interferon-gamma. ACT SMD 0.50; FEV1 SMD 1.84; PEF SMD 3.11 (not significant) (ACT 0.11 to 0.88; FEV1 0.07 to 3.60; PEF -1.30 to 7.52) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Asthma Control Test, FEV1, PEF, IL-4, interferon-gamma Limitations: Only 4 trials; FEV1 interval nearly touches zero. Forms and trial sizes not given in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared in the abstract. Read: abstract
He 2024 Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of nigella sativa supplementation for allergic rhinitis treatment. Front Pharmacol · PMID 39372205 · DOI	Meta-analysis	8 randomised trials in allergic rhinitis (hay fever type nose symptoms)	Nigella sativa products (forms pooled) seed products Not given here Not stated · vs Control groups in each trial	Better 'effective rate' (odds ratio 4.24) and nasal symptom scores. Side effects were transient and no more common than in controls. Effective rate OR 4.24; nasal symptoms MD -2.60 (OR 2.57 to 7.27; MD -2.82 to -2.38) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Total effective rate, nasal symptoms, adverse effects Limitations: The authors say few studies and lower quality design may affect stability. Forms pooled and not oil on its own. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract
Hossain 2021 A review of ethnobotany, phytochemistry, antimicrobial pharmacology and toxicology of Nigella sativa L. Biomed Pharmacother · PMID 34649338 · DOI	Review n/a	n/a	Nigella sativa and thymoquinone seed Not given here n/a · vs n/a	The review calls Nigella sativa one of the most extensively used traditional medicinal plants and describes lab antimicrobial actions of the plant and thymoquinone. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Traditional use and lab pharmacology Limitations: Lab (antimicrobial) findings only; not evidence of effect in people. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared. Read: abstract
Jafari 2025 Does Nigella sativa supplementation improve cardiovascular disease risk factors? A comprehensive GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of 82 randomized controlled trials. Pharmacol Res · PMID 40714301 · DOI	Meta-analysis	5026 82 studies (79 quantitative), 5,026 people	Nigella sativa supplements (forms pooled) seed products Not given here 1 to 48 weeks · vs Control groups in each trial	The abstract lists many markers as improved, including blood pressure, fasting glucose, HbA1c, LDL and total cholesterol, triglycerides, CRP, and also ALT, AST, creatinine and urea. It gives no sizes. Not given in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Body fat, weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood fats, inflammation markers, liver and kidney blood tests Limitations: Abstract has no effect sizes, no GRADE ratings and no heterogeneity. It says only 'promising adjunct'. Forms pooled. One author (Musazadeh V) also wrote the 2026 meta-analysis, and several authors are from Iranian universities. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no financial interests. Read: abstract
Kavyani 2023 Antihypertensive effects of Nigella sativa supplementation: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res · PMID 37341696 · DOI	Meta-analysis	Adults in randomised trials (number of trials and people not stated in the abstract)	Nigella sativa supplements (forms pooled) seed products Not given here Not stated in the abstract · vs Control groups in each trial	Small average falls in blood pressure with very high heterogeneity between trials. Systolic -3.06 mmHg; diastolic -2.69 mmHg (Systolic -3.89 to -2.22; diastolic -3.72 to -1.66 (I2 84.7% and 97.3%)) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure Limitations: Very high heterogeneity (I2 up to 97%). The abstract does not give the number of trials or the quality. Authors partly overlap with the other Iranian meta-analyses. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Koshak 2017 Nigella sativa Supplementation Improves Asthma Control and Biomarkers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Phytother Res · PMID 28093815 · DOI	RCT	80 80 adults with asthma, 40 per group; 10 in each group withdrew	Nigella sativa oil capsules, added to usual asthma treatment seed oil Not given here 4 weeks · vs Placebo capsules	Asthma Control Test score was higher with the oil (21.1 vs 19.6, p=0.044) and blood eosinophils fell (-50 vs +15 cells per microlitre, p=0.013). The lung function change was not significant (p=0.170). ACT 21.1 (SD 2.6) vs 19.6 (SD 3.7); eosinophils -50 vs +15 cells/uL; FEV1 % predicted +4 vs +1 (not significant) (Eosinophils -50 (-155 to -1) vs 15 (-60 to 87)) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Asthma Control Test score (primary), lung function, blood eosinophils, IgE Limitations: Small, 4 weeks, a quarter of people dropped out, p values close to 0.05, one trial. The authors call for longer, multicentre trials. Registered NCT02407262. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Kurihara 2020 Thymoquinone as a causative allergen in Nigella sativa oil contact dermatitis with cross-reactivity to tert-butylhydroquinone. Contact Dermatitis · PMID 32232855 · DOI	Case report	1 Case report (details not available)	Nigella sativa oil on the skin seed oil Not given here n/a · vs n/a	The title names thymoquinone as the allergen in black seed oil dermatitis, with cross-reaction to tert-butylhydroquinone (a food preservative chemical). Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Contact allergy Limitations: Title only; no abstract. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared. Read: title-only
Mohammed 2016 The Effects of Different Extraction Methods on Antioxidant Properties, Chemical Composition, and Thermal Behavior of Black Seed (Nigella sativa L.) Oil. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med · PMID 27642353 · DOI	Lab analysis n/a (lab)	n/a	Nigella sativa seed oil seed Not given here n/a · vs n/a	Main constituents in the oil were caryophyllene (17.47%), thymoquinone (11.80%), 1,4-cyclohexadiene (7.17%), longifolene (3.5%) and carvacrol (1.82%). Thymoquinone was 6.63 mg/mL in supercritical-extracted oil and 1.56 mg/mL in cold-pressed oil. Supercritical oil had higher antioxidant readings in the lab. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Oil composition by extraction method Limitations: One lab study of one set of samples. Not a test of health effects. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared. Read: abstract
Musazadeh 2026 The Effect of Nigella sativa Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Health in Patients With Metabolic Diseases: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab · PMID 41858302 · DOI	Meta-analysis	2145 31 trials, 2,145 people with metabolic diseases (such as type 2 diabetes and obesity)	Nigella sativa supplements (forms pooled; abstract does not split oil from seed or powder) seed products Not given here Varied by trial · vs Control groups in each trial	Average falls in weight, BMI, blood pressure, fasting glucose and HbA1c. No effect on waist, HOMA-IR or insulin. The authors say to read it cautiously because study quality varied. Weight -1.59 kg; BMI -0.51 kg/m2; systolic BP -3.25 mmHg; diastolic BP -2.75 mmHg; fasting glucose -18.62 mg/dL; HbA1c -0.56 (Weight -3.03 to -0.15; systolic -4.44 to -2.06; diastolic -4.62 to -0.89; fasting glucose -23.30 to -13.95; HbA1c -0.79 to -0.33) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Weight, BMI, blood pressure, fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin resistance, waist Limitations: Forms pooled, so it is not a result for oil alone. Quality varied. The abstract does not give the risk of bias or the GRADE ratings. Authors are from Iranian universities. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared in the abstract. Read: abstract
National Library of Medicine 2006 Black Seed. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) NCBI Bookshelf NBK501876 · Source	Database record n/a	n/a	n/a n/a Not given here n/a · vs n/a	From our earlier internal summary, not re-opened in this build because the NCBI page showed a bot check: no data on black seed in breast milk or on safety and efficacy in infants; limited information suggests it is generally well tolerated; no valid trials support use for milk supply; it notes the oil can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Breastfeeding information Limitations: Summary-only. Not read directly in this build. Read: summary-only
PubChem (NCBI) 2026 PubChem compound records: thymoquinone and (-)-caryophyllene pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · Source	Database record n/a	n/a	n/a n/a Not given here n/a · vs n/a	PubChem API 2026-10-25: thymoquinone CID 10281 (C10H12O2); (-)-caryophyllene CID 5281515 (C15H24). Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Compound identity Limitations: Identity check only. Read: full-text
Sahebkar 2016 A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of supplementation with Nigella sativa (black seed) on blood pressure. J Hypertens · PMID 27512971 · DOI	Meta-analysis	860 11 randomised trials, 860 people with high or normal blood pressure	Nigella sativa as powder or oil seed products Not given here Average about 8.3 weeks · vs Placebo in 10 trials, standard treatment in 1	Blood pressure fell more than in controls. The authors report that powder and oil gave different results, in favour of powder, and that the conclusion applies to short-term powder treatment. Systolic -3.26 mmHg; diastolic -2.80 mmHg versus control (Systolic -5.10 to -1.42; diastolic -4.28 to -1.32) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure Limitations: Only 11 trials; moderate heterogeneity (I about 60%). Short treatment. Oil was less effective than powder in this analysis. Authors work in Iran and Italy. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Shakhbazova 2021 A Systematic Review of Nutrition, Supplement, and Herbal-Based Adjunctive Therapies for Vitiligo. J Altern Complement Med · PMID 33337930 · DOI	Systematic review	26 clinical studies of diet and supplements in vitiligo	Several supplements, including Nigella sativa oil various Not given here Not stated · vs Not stated	Nigella sativa oil is listed among the supplements reviewed. The abstract calls the evidence 'promising' overall and names other treatments as most promising (phenylalanine with UVA, Ginkgo biloba, Polypodium leucotomos), not Nigella. Not given (Not given) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Vitiligo symptoms Limitations: Abstract gives no Nigella-specific result. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Shirvani 2024 The effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on glycemic status in adults: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat · PMID 39181437 · DOI	Meta-analysis	30 randomised trials in adults (number of people not stated in the abstract)	Nigella sativa supplements (forms pooled) seed products Not given here Not stated in the abstract · vs Control groups in each trial	Lower fasting glucose and HbA1c, but no effect on insulin or HOMA-IR. Heterogeneity was extremely high. Fasting glucose SMD -1.71; HbA1c SMD -2.16 (standardised, not mg/dL) (Fasting -2.11 to -1.31 (I2 92.7%); HbA1c -3.04 to -1.29 (I2 95.7%)) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR Limitations: Extremely high heterogeneity (I2 over 90%), so the average hides big differences between trials. Forms pooled. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract
Yousefi 2013 Comparison of therapeutic effect of topical Nigella with Betamethasone and Eucerin in hand eczema. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol · PMID 23198836 · DOI	RCT	60 60 people with new hand eczema, 20 per group (aged 18 to 60); 52 attended at least one visit	Topical Nigella ointment (the abstract does not say whether it was plain seed oil) seed Not given here 4 weeks · vs Betamethasone ointment and Eucerin (moisturiser)	Nigella and betamethasone improved faster than Eucerin (p=0.003 and p=0.012) and both lowered DLQI more than Eucerin. Nigella and betamethasone did not differ from each other. Not given as sizes in the abstract (Not given) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) Limitations: Small, 4 weeks, many people missed visits, and the product is described only as an ointment. Comparison with a steroid does not show Nigella is as safe. Conducted by an Iranian team; funding listed as non-US government support. Funding and conflicts: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't (named in PubMed record) Read: abstract
Zhivov 2024 Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) Oil: A Case Report and Analysis Exploring Severe Cutaneous Manifestations and Implications for Patient Care. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol · PMID 39759250	Case report	8 Case series of 8 patients	Black cumin oil put on the skin seed oil Not given here Not stated · vs n/a	Eight patients had severe skin reactions after putting the oil on their skin. The authors stress patch testing, asking about herbal use, and stronger regulation. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Severe cutaneous manifestations Limitations: Abstract gives no details of the reactions, how common they are, or the products used. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared. Read: abstract

What we do not know yet

What the evidence supports: low for blood sugar, blood pressure and asthma; very low for weight, skin, knee and hay fever; insufficient for children.
Most meta-analyses mix oil, powder and seed, and many come from the same few research groups.
No human study of pregnancy or of medicine interactions; the interaction data are from rats.
Five skin case reports could be read by title only, and the breastfeeding database could not be opened.
LiverTox, EFSA, FDA and SCCS were not searched.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any rating or safety wording.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Inflammatory 1

●

hs-CRP (inflammation marker)

Improved (lower) in trials

A blood test for general inflammation.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used as a marker of inflammation in the knee trial.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Statistically significant in one small trial.

Safety implication

None reported in the abstract.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁴	Swallowed oil lowered hs-CRP versus placebo: adjusted difference -0.81 (95% CI -1.45 to -0.19)	45 adults with knee osteoarthritis	Black seed oil swallowed or applied for 6 weeks

⁴

Other 3

●

Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c

Improved (lower) in trials

Blood sugar after fasting and the average over about 3 months.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Standard markers in diabetes trials.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Statistically significant in pooled analyses with very high heterogeneity.

Safety implication

May add to the effect of diabetes medicines; see Safety tab.

Study	Result	People	Product
²⁵	Fasting glucose -18.62 mg/dL and HbA1c -0.56 (pooled)	31 trials, 2,145 people	Nigella sativa supplements, forms pooled
⁷	Fasting glucose -9.93 mg/dl, HbA1c -0.57%; oil lowered fasting glucose more than powder (subgroup)	17 trials	Nigella sativa oil or powder

^{25 7 30}

●

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure

Improved (slightly lower) in trials

The pressure of blood in the arteries.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A main risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Small average fall, large variation between trials.

Safety implication

May add to blood pressure medicines; see Safety tab.

Study	Result	People	Product
²⁸	Systolic -3.26 mmHg, diastolic -2.80 mmHg versus control; powder better than oil	11 trials, 860 people	Nigella sativa powder or oil
²¹	Systolic -3.06 mmHg, diastolic -2.69 mmHg	Adults in randomised trials	Nigella sativa supplements

^{28 21 25}

●

Asthma Control Test score and blood eosinophils

Improved in trials

A questionnaire score for asthma control, and a type of white blood cell that rises in allergic asthma.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

The trial's main and a secondary outcome.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Statistically significant but small, and the trial was small.

Safety implication

None reported in the abstract.

Study	Result	People	Product
²²	ACT 21.1 vs 19.6 (p=0.044); eosinophils -50 vs +15 cells/uL (p=0.013); FEV1 not significant	80 adults with asthma	Black seed oil capsules versus placebo for 4 weeks

^{22 17}

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 5

Skin: severe allergic and blistering reactions to black seed oil have been reported. A case series describes eight people with severe skin reactions after putting black cumin oil on their skin. Single reports describe a serious body-wide drug reaction (DRESS), a pustular rash, and a blistering reaction in a woman who put the oil on her skin and also swallowed it for two weeks; her patch test was strongly positive and pale patches lasted three months. One report names thymoquinone, the main active compound, as the allergen. For several of these we could read only the titles. We found no figure for how often it happens. A patch test arranged by a doctor is the way to check. Stop at the first rash, and get medical help for blisters, fever or peeling. Case report ^{32 11 13 23 10 8}
Swallowed supplements: a blistering reaction and a bleeding report. A 2026 case report describes a blistering reaction that looked like Stevens-Johnson syndrome after swallowing a Nigella sativa supplement (title only). Another case report describes a large bruise-like swelling and low platelets in a man taking black seed oil with two antiplatelet medicines and chemotherapy; it was rated a 'possible' reaction and cleared when the suspect agents were stopped. These are single cases. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about black seed oil before surgery or chemotherapy, or if you take blood thinners. Case report ^{9 6}
Medicines for diabetes and blood pressure: possible added effect. In trials, black seed products lowered blood sugar and blood pressure a little, so with diabetes or blood pressure medicines the effects could add up. In rats, black seed oil raised the blood level of the diabetes medicine gliclazide and increased its sugar-lowering effect, and black seed lowered blood pressure more when given with amlodipine. These are rat studies. We found no human interaction study. Do not change a medicine because of black seed oil, and tell your doctor or pharmacist you use it. Animal study ^{2 3 28 25}
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: not enough information. We found no human study of black seed oil in pregnancy. A 1996 lab study found that the volatile (essential) oil of the seeds reduced uterine muscle contractions in rat and guinea pig tissue. That is a different product and says nothing certain about women, but it is a reason to ask a doctor first. A drug database summary (not re-opened by us) says there are no data on black seed in breast milk or in infants. Lab study ^{5 26}
Not a replacement for medicine. Black seed products lowered blood sugar and blood pressure only a little in trials, and helped asthma scores a little in one small trial. Do not use them in place of diabetes, blood pressure or asthma medicines. Oils sold for skin and oils sold as supplements are different products, and this page cannot advise on swallowing. Meta-analysis ^{25 22}

Side effects 4

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
Allergic contact dermatitis, blisters or pustules where the oil was applied Reports include a series of eight and single cases; two are title-only.	Not known	moderate to severe Slow healing in one case; pale patches lasted 3 months	Case report ^{32 13 23 8}
Serious body-wide skin reactions (DRESS; a Stevens-Johnson-like blistering reaction) DRESS after skin use and blistering after swallowing a supplement; titles only.	Not known; single reports	severe Not described in the sources read	Case report ^{11 9 10}
Large bruise-like swelling with low platelets Man on two antiplatelet medicines and chemotherapy; rated 'possible' (Naranjo 4).	One case	serious Resolved in 10 days after stopping suspect agents	Case report ⁶
Side effects in trials Those reviews pool many forms and do not describe oil alone.	Not significantly different from control in a children's review and a hay fever review	mild Transient in the hay fever review	Meta-analysis ^{1 18}

Liver

No source read describes liver injury from black seed oil. A 2025 meta-analysis lists ALT and AST among markers that improved, with no sizes in the abstract. LiverTox was not searched. ²⁰

How often. Not known.

Monitoring. None found in the sources read.

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Black Seed Oil (Nigella) supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 4

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Diabetes medicines (for example gliclazide) prescription	In rats, black seed oil increased gliclazide exposure (bioavailability up 29%, clearance down 20%) and its sugar-lowering effect in healthy rats. Trials in people show black seed products lower blood sugar a little.	Possible extra low blood sugar; not tested in people.	Animal research Very low certainty ^{2 25}	Tell your doctor or pharmacist; do not change medicine on your own.
Blood pressure medicines (for example amlodipine) prescription	In rats, Nigella sativa lowered blood pressure and gave better control with amlodipine without changing its main blood levels. In people, black seed products lowered blood pressure by about 3 mmHg.	Possible extra drop in blood pressure; not tested in people.	Animal research Very low certainty ^{3 28}	Tell your doctor or pharmacist; do not change medicine on your own.
Blood thinners and chemotherapy prescription	One case report links black seed oil to bleeding and low platelets in a man on two antiplatelet medicines and chemotherapy.	One case; cause uncertain.	Case report Not enough evidence ⁶	Tell your surgeon, pharmacist or cancer team before use.
Kidney or liver medicines, and other medicines prescription	No source read describes any.	Not known.	Insufficient Not enough evidence	Ask a pharmacist.

Who should check first 6

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Past rash or allergic reaction to black seed oil, black cumin or thymoquinone products	Do not use again. See an allergy or skin doctor.	Case report ^{23 13 32}
Before putting it on skin	Ask a doctor about a patch test first. Do not put it on broken skin or near the eyes.	Case report ³²
Pregnancy	Ask a doctor first. No human safety data were found, and a lab study of the volatile oil showed reduced uterine muscle activity.	Lab study ⁵
Breastfeeding	Ask a doctor first. A drug database summary (not re-opened by us) says there are no data.	Database ²⁶
On diabetes, blood pressure, blood thinner or chemotherapy medicine, or before surgery	Tell the prescriber or pharmacist.	Animal research ^{2 3 6}
Children	A review of 15 trials found no significant side effects but says evidence is limited. Ask a children's doctor.	Systematic review ¹

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. No poisoning from swallowing black seed oil is described in the sources read, apart from the case reports above. Pets (especially cats), kidney damage and seizure risk were not covered by any source we read.

Animal. The rat studies above were about medicine interactions and uterus tissue, not toxicity.

Human doses studied. Trials ran from 1 to 48 weeks (meta-analysis). Amounts are in the papers and are not given here.

High dose or long term signals. The bleeding case followed a dose increase; details are in the paper.

Overdose response. Not described.

Genotoxicity. Not read.

Toxic or hazardous parts. Not described.

We found no study of contamination or blending of shop bottles. Thymoquinone content differs with how the oil is made.

Thymoquinone content by extraction method. In one lab study of seed oil, thymoquinone was 6.63 mg/mL in oil from supercritical extraction and 1.56 mg/mL in cold-pressed oil, so bottles can differ a lot. ²⁴

Body	Action	Date

When to get medical help

Blisters, peeling skin, fever, swelling of the face, mouth sores, or a widespread rash after using or swallowing black seed oil: stop and get urgent medical care.
Swelling of the lips or tongue, wheezing, throat tightness or trouble breathing: call emergency services.
Large unexplained bruises, nosebleeds that will not stop or black stools while taking it with blood thinners or chemotherapy: contact your doctor now.

Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is black seed oil safe on the skin?

Not for everyone. A case series of eight people and several single reports describe severe allergic or blistering skin reactions, including a serious body-wide reaction. We do not know how common this is. Ask a doctor about a patch test first and stop at the first rash.

^{32 11 13 23 10 8}

Can black seed oil cause an allergy?

Yes. Case reports describe contact allergy, and one names thymoquinone as the allergen. Stop and get help if you get a rash, blisters, swelling or breathing trouble.

^{23 32 13}

Does black seed oil lower blood sugar?

Meta-analyses found small average falls in fasting glucose and HbA1c, but the trials differ a lot and mix oil, powder and seed. It is not a replacement for diabetes care, and it may add to diabetes medicines.

^{25 7 30 2}

Does black seed oil lower blood pressure?

On average by about 3 mmHg in meta-analyses, with big differences between trials. In one analysis powder did better than oil. It is not a replacement for blood pressure medicine.

^{28 21 25}

Does black seed oil help asthma?

One 4-week trial of oil capsules in 80 adults found slightly better control scores added to usual treatment, and a 4-trial meta-analysis agreed. The evidence is small. Never stop asthma medicines because of it.

^{22 17}

Can I take it with my medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist. In rats the oil raised the level of the diabetes medicine gliclazide and added to a blood pressure medicine's effect. One case report links it to bleeding in a man on two antiplatelet medicines and chemotherapy.

^{2 3 6}

Is black seed oil safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?

We found no human safety data for pregnancy. A lab study found the seed's volatile oil reduced uterine contractions in animal tissue. A drug database summary (not re-opened by us) says there are no data for breastfeeding. Ask a doctor.

^{5 26}

Is it safe for children?

A review of 15 trials found no statistically significant side effects, but it says the research is limited. Ask a children's doctor first.

Does it help eczema or vitiligo?

One small hand eczema trial and one small vitiligo trial (compared with fish oil) were positive. They are single small trials, and skin reactions are a risk.

^{31 14}

What is thymoquinone?

The main active compound of black seed. Lab studies show it varies with how the oil is made. A case report names it as a skin allergen.

^{24 23}

Is black cumin oil the same as cumin oil?

No. Black cumin is Nigella sativa. Cumin is a different plant.

¹²

Is black seed oil an essential oil?

No. The pressed seed oil is a carrier-type oil. The seed also has a separate volatile oil, which is a different product.

^{5 24}

Explore by health goal

Healthy Skin Skin Health Blood Sugar Balance Metabolic Health Blood Pressure Support Heart Health Weight Management Lung Support Breathing Support Joint Support Inflammation Balance Immune Support Seasonal Wellness Preventive Wellness

Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-25
Last substantive update: 2026-10-25
How we research: We read the PubMed abstracts of 24 papers and the titles of 5 case reports, checked the plant name in GBIF and compounds in PubChem. The breastfeeding database page could not be opened, so it is cited from earlier notes and marked unverified. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. Funding is not stated in most abstracts.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.

Sources 32

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

Abumadini MM, Ahmad S, AlYahya W et al. Clinical Uses of Nigella Sativa in Pediatrics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2025. PMID 41112345. DOI 10.5863/JPPT-24-00044. (abstract)
Adiwidjaja J, Sasongko L. Effect of Nigella sativa oil on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of gliclazide in rats.. Biopharm Drug Dispos. 2021. PMID 34327715. DOI 10.1002/bdd.2300. (abstract)
Alam MA, Bin Jardan YA, Raish M et al. Effect of Nigella sativa and Fenugreek on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Amlodipine in Hypertensive Rats.. Curr Drug Metab. 2020. PMID 32407268. DOI 10.2174/1389200221666200514121501. (abstract)
Amirtaheri Afshar A, Toopchizadeh V, Dolatkhah N et al. The efficacy of Nigella sativa L. oil on serum biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A parallel triple-arm double-blind randomized controlled trial.. Food Sci Nutr. 2023. PMID 38107142. DOI 10.1002/fsn3.3708. (abstract)
Aqel M, Shaheen R. Effects of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds on the uterine smooth muscle of rat and guinea pig.. J Ethnopharmacol. 1996. PMID 8733115. DOI 10.1016/0378-8741(95)01330-x. (abstract)
Arab A, Ramezaninejad S, Salehifar E. Extensive Subcutaneous Hematoma in a Patient Receiving Nigella sativa Oil, Dual Antiplatelet Therapy, and Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy: A Case Report.. Hosp Pharm. 2026. PMID 42682876. DOI 10.1177/00185787261482136. (abstract)
Askari G, Rouhani MH, Ghaedi E et al. Effect of Nigella sativa (black seed) supplementation on glycemic control: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.. Phytother Res. 2019. PMID 30873688. DOI 10.1002/ptr.6337. (abstract)
Burle E, Giordano F. Acute Localized Exanthematous Pustulosis-Like Dermatitis Induced by Nigella sativa Seed Oil.. Contact Dermatitis. 2026. PMID 42896557. DOI 10.1111/cod.70276. (title-only)
Chu B, Kinariwalla N, Elco CP et al. Bullous cutaneous reaction mimicking Stevens-Johnson syndrome due to Nigella sativa supplement ingestion.. JAAD Case Rep. 2026. PMID 42699335. DOI 10.1016/j.jdcr.2026.06.009. (title-only)
Dehavay F, Kolivras A, Scheers C. Local and systemic adverse skin reactions following the use of herbal products believed to contain Nigella sativa seeds and oil.. Contact Dermatitis. 2019. PMID 30478848. DOI 10.1111/cod.13154. (title-only)
Fargeas M, Calugareanu A, Ben-Said B. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome after topical use of Nigella sativa (black cumin) oil.. Contact Dermatitis. 2022. PMID 35419842. DOI 10.1111/cod.14127. (title-only)
GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Nigella sativa L.. api.gbif.org. 2026. (full-text)
Gelot P, Bara-Passot C, Gimenez-Arnau E et al. Bullous drug eruption with Nigella sativa oil.. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2012. PMID 22482483. DOI 10.1016/j.annder.2012.01.025. (abstract)
Ghorbanibirgani A, Khalili A, Rokhafrooz D. Comparing Nigella sativa Oil and Fish Oil in Treatment of Vitiligo.. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2014. PMID 25068060. DOI 10.5812/ircmj.4515. (abstract)
Han A, Shi D. The efficacy of Nigella sativa supplementation for asthma control: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2021. PMID 34658694. DOI 10.5114/ada.2020.93220. (abstract)
Hannan MA, Rahman MA, Sohag AAM et al. Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.): A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemistry, Health Benefits, Molecular Pharmacology, and Safety.. Nutrients. 2021. PMID 34073784. DOI 10.3390/nu13061784. (abstract)
He T, Xu X. The influence of Nigella sativa for asthma control: A meta-analysis.. Am J Emerg Med. 2020. PMID 31892440. DOI 10.1016/j.ajem.2019.11.036. (abstract)
He Y, Hu X, Chang L et al. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of nigella sativa supplementation for allergic rhinitis treatment.. Front Pharmacol. 2024. PMID 39372205. DOI 10.3389/fphar.2024.1417013. (abstract)
Hossain MS, Sharfaraz A, Dutta A et al. A review of ethnobotany, phytochemistry, antimicrobial pharmacology and toxicology of Nigella sativa L.. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021. PMID 34649338. DOI 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112182. (abstract)
Jafari A, Mardani H, Faghfouri AH et al. Does Nigella sativa supplementation improve cardiovascular disease risk factors? A comprehensive GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of 82 randomized controlled trials.. Pharmacol Res. 2025. PMID 40714301. DOI 10.1016/j.phrs.2025.107882. (abstract)
Kavyani Z, Musazadeh V, Safaei E et al. Antihypertensive effects of Nigella sativa supplementation: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. Phytother Res. 2023. PMID 37341696. DOI 10.1002/ptr.7891. (abstract)
Koshak A, Wei L, Koshak E et al. Nigella sativa Supplementation Improves Asthma Control and Biomarkers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.. Phytother Res. 2017. PMID 28093815. DOI 10.1002/ptr.5761. (abstract)
Kurihara F, Soria A, Lepoittevin JP et al. Thymoquinone as a causative allergen in Nigella sativa oil contact dermatitis with cross-reactivity to tert-butylhydroquinone.. Contact Dermatitis. 2020. PMID 32232855. DOI 10.1111/cod.13542. (title-only)
Mohammed NK, Abd Manap MY, Tan CP et al. The Effects of Different Extraction Methods on Antioxidant Properties, Chemical Composition, and Thermal Behavior of Black Seed (Nigella sativa L.) Oil.. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016. PMID 27642353. DOI 10.1155/2016/6273817. (abstract)
Musazadeh V, Jahangir M, Mahmoudinezhad M et al. The Effect of Nigella sativa Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Health in Patients With Metabolic Diseases: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2026. PMID 41858302. DOI 10.1002/edm2.70207. (abstract)
National Library of Medicine. Black Seed. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). NCBI Bookshelf NBK501876. 2006. (summary-only)
PubChem (NCBI). PubChem compound records: thymoquinone and (-)-caryophyllene. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2026. (full-text)
Sahebkar A, Soranna D, Liu X et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of supplementation with Nigella sativa (black seed) on blood pressure.. J Hypertens. 2016. PMID 27512971. DOI 10.1097/HJH.0000000000001049. (abstract)
Shakhbazova A, Wu H, Chambers CJ et al. A Systematic Review of Nutrition, Supplement, and Herbal-Based Adjunctive Therapies for Vitiligo.. J Altern Complement Med. 2021. PMID 33337930. DOI 10.1089/acm.2020.0292. (abstract)
Shirvani S, Falahatzadeh M, Oveili E et al. The effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on glycemic status in adults: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat. 2024. PMID 39181437. DOI 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2024.106885. (abstract)
Yousefi M, Barikbin B, Kamalinejad M et al. Comparison of therapeutic effect of topical Nigella with Betamethasone and Eucerin in hand eczema.. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013. PMID 23198836. DOI 10.1111/jdv.12033. (abstract)
Zhivov E, Johnston C, Shangraw S. Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) Oil: A Case Report and Analysis Exploring Severe Cutaneous Manifestations and Implications for Patient Care.. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2024. PMID 39759250. (abstract)

Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.