Black Seed Oil (Nigella sativa)
Also known as: Nigella sativa oil, black cumin seed oil, kalonji oil, habbatus sauda, thymoquinone oil
Black seed oil is cold-pressed from Nigella sativa seeds, a spice with a long history of traditional use across the Middle East and South Asia. The oil is mostly linoleic and oleic acid, but its distinguishing constituent is thymoquinone, a volatile compound found in the oil's essential-oil fraction. Modern products are often standardized to thymoquinone content. Pooled clinical trials have examined effects on blood lipids, blood pressure, glycemic markers, and inflammatory markers. It is commonly used in immune, metabolic, and general wellness softgels and liquids.
Research summary
Thymoquinone is studied as an antioxidant and modulator of inflammatory signaling; the oil also supplies unsaturated fatty acids.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of compound.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 mg | 500–2,000 mg | — | — |
Dosed as mg whole oil. Meta-analyses pool trials of both seed powder and oil; the abstracts do not give the highest oil dose, so dose_max_studied is left null. Thymoquinone content differs many-fold between generic and standardized oils, so state the standardization on the label and compare products on thymoquinone milligrams, not oil milligrams. Usually taken with meals, often split into two doses.
Standardization: Commonly standardized to a declared thymoquinone percentage; verify the exact % on the supplier CoA
Source material: cold-pressed Nigella sativa seed
As supplied: Thymoquinone content varies by grade; standardized oils declare it on the CoA
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Oil-based; softgel or liquid only. Pungent, peppery taste; liquids are hard to flavor and softgels are preferred for compliance.
Formulation notes
Trials report reductions in blood pressure and glucose markers; note additive effects when stacked with other glucose- or pressure-active ingredients. Traditional sources caution against large amounts in pregnancy.
- Notable drug interactions
- Not for pregnancy
Sources
- Nigella sativa (black seed) effects on plasma lipid concentrations in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. (Sahebkar 2016)PubMed
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of supplementation with Nigella sativa (black seed) on blood pressure. (Sahebkar 2016)PubMed
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