Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
There are so many simple natural remedies with a long history of use that have been largely forgotten in modern times. From the health-promoting (and hair-growing) properties of castor oil to the natural remedy uses for apple cider vinegar, remedies found in nature have an important place in maintaining health. One of those is black seed oil.
With all the wonderful advances in medicine and hygiene, a lot of these remedies have been pushed aside. Certainly, there is a time and a place for medicine, but research is now helping us understand the mechanism of these natural remedies that previous generations have depended on for so long.
Many doctors, especially functional medicine and naturopathic doctors, are finding success in combining conventional medical treatments with natural ways to support the body. One of these age-old remedies gaining popularity is black seed oil or Nigella sativa.
What Is Black Seed Oil?
Black seed oil (also often called black cumin seed oil, black coriander oil, or simply black oil) comes from the Nigella sativa plant that is native to Asia. Studies on this incredibly powerful seed oil show it may be helpful in combating superbugs like MRSA or h.pylori and even has helped some cancer patients.
The plant is technically part of the buttercup family and has small, black, crescent-shaped seeds. Historical accounts of black seed use date back as far as the times of King Tut in ancient Egypt. Cleopatra reportedly used black cumin seed oil for beautiful hair and skin, and Hippocrates was fond of using it for digestive troubles.
There are now over 600 studies showing the effects of black cumin seed oil and there is promising research on it use for dealing with autoimmune disease (which is why I’ve been experimenting with it).
Two of its active compounds, crystalline nigellone and thymoquinone, are the most studied, but it also contains myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, proteins, and vitamins B1, B2,B3, calcium, folate, iron, copper, zinc, and phosphorous.
Uses & Benefits of Black Seed Oil
Studies have also shown that black seed oil can be useful for:
Asthma & Allergies
Multiple studies have found that black seed oil has anti-asthmatic effects and depending on the cause of asthma, it was sometimes more effective than conventional treatment. The same properties make it beneficial for relieving allergies for many people.
Eczema and Psoriasis
Black seed oil is also used for skin problems like eczema and psoriasis. It helps soothe inflammation and improve the speed and which skin heals.
Digestion
Nigella sativa seeds are carminative, meaning they aid in digestion and may decrease gas, bloating, and stomach pain. Black seed oil is often sometimes used in remedies for intestinal parasites. In preliminary studies, it was also shown to inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells with no negative side effects.
Candida and Fungus
Black seed oil was also shown to be helpful in battling candida and fungal infections in the digestive system and on the skin.
Cancers
Other studies have shown that a compound in black seeds and oil, thymoquinone, helps induce apoptosis (cell death) in leukemia cells. Other studies have shown this same effect in breast cancer cells, brain tumor cells, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, and even oral cancer cells and cavity-forming bacteria. Black seed oil is also sometimes recommended as a natural protection against some of the danger from radiation and used in conjunction with conventional treatments.
Heart Health
Thymoquinone in Nigella sativa seeds has also been shown to have a protective effect on the heart, promote healthy cholesterol levels and help normalize blood pressure.
MRSA and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
A 2010 study found that black seed oil was effective for patients with h.pylori infections (without ulcers). Studies have also shown that black seed oil was effective against MRSA.
Immune Health
Nigella sativa is unique in its way of supporting the immune system. It contains the antioxidants, beneficial acids, and B-vitamins you would expect in a natural remedy, but has an additional benefit. Unlike herbs like elderberry or echinacea that require caution for those with autoimmune disease, black seeds seem to balance the immune system — increasing immune function but not encouraging immune reactions against the body’s healthy tissue.
It has been used in alternative HIV protocols for years and it is often recommended on various autoimmune disease forums (with testimonials from those it has helped). I first found research on black seed oil when researching my own autoimmune thyroid disease.
Skin and Hair
It is also used topically in some cultures to naturally soften, strengthen, and firm skin and help increase hair growth. Some studies even suggest that it may be a very useful remedy against scars and to prevent scar formation on wounds.
Problems With Seed Oils
There can be problems with any vegetable or seed oil, including black cumin seed oil if it isn’t extracted, processed, or packaged correctly. It can easily go rancid if any of these factors are not correct and it is also important that the oil is stored in a dark glass bottle (preferably miron glass).
How to Find Quality Black Seed Oil
Black cumin seed oil is the most absorbable and concentrated form, and from my research, the most effective way to consume black seeds. Ultimately, it is a food product, so make sure that whatever brand you use is high quality and free from harmful additives.
When doing your research, look for brands that are preferably:
- organic
- pure-pressed without chemical extraction
- have no additives or diluting oils
- protected from rancidity by high-quality light and air-protective glass
What I Use
I buy black seed oil only from Activation Products (also on Amazon) as they meet all of my criteria above. I’ve also personally called and interviewed the founders to make sure the oils met my standards.
How I Use Black Seed Oil
Using black seed oil is pretty simple. I take a teaspoon of the oil straight a couple times a day.
Since it’s also great for skin, I also often add it to my facial oil cleansing blend. I’ve also experimented with adding it to lotions and shampoos for extra detox.
Dosage, Side Effects, & Common Sense Warnings
Black cumin seed oil is an amazing food that has been used for thousands of years for its ability to support health naturally. That being said, it isn’t a panacea or a miracle drug, just a potent natural oil. It is considered safe for culinary use (or in similar amounts… I take no more than a few teaspoons a day).
As always, use common sense. Black seed oil is a food, but a nutritionally potent one. You wouldn’t drink a gallon of coconut oil or eat five pounds of liver in one sitting (I hope), so consume black seed oil as you would any food — in moderate and healthy amounts.
As always, please check with a doctor before taking this or any substance, especially if you have a medical condition or are pregnant/nursing.
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, Family Physician and Medical Director of SteadyMD. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
Ever heard of or used black seed oil? How do you like it? Share below!
Hi, I was wondering how often you use black cumin seed oil? And does anybody else make organic, pure black cumin oil other than the link you’ve provided?
Thank you
Black Seed Oil is my favorite, most impactful immunity booster, sinus/allergy resolver.
AWESOME!! My family and I just started on BSO and we love it. We use Dr. Roby Mitchell’s (Dr. Fitt) black seed oil.
I wish you would talk more about your thyroid and how you have used it to help your thyroid. For instance, I use it these ways and I have seen a difference that I could reduce how much thyroid medicine I need to take.
Yes, Please. I need to boost my thyroid production for the same reason. Also, will this help at all with adrenal health? My thyroid issues are driven by my adrenals.
I have problems with my bowel movement. I go to toilet 5 or 6 times a day. I am an ex-cancer patient and I was worried that the cancer might come back. I came across the benefit of black seed and I started taking black seed oil capsule. On the 10th day, my bowel movement back to normal.
That sounds like irritable bowel syndrome due to germ overgrowth in.colon. Black seed oil kills germ but its overgrowth usually due to inadequate production of hydrochloric acid. Supplements available at health food store.
I’ve been dealing with this the past two months…. go to the dr tomorrow, was looking for a natural remedy.
Hi, I have high blood pressure, and I don’t want to take any pills for my pressure. can black seed oil help put back my pressure to normal? I don’t want to have it high anymore.please help me .
A new documentary about vegan athletes, “The Game Changers,” connects meat eating with high blood pressure. Getting rid of your condition may be as simple as going vegan. “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead” is another great doc about the connection between diet and common health issues.
Hey Katie, would you mind sharing the details of exactly how you use black cumin seed oil (maybe one or two fo your favorite ways)? Would it be good to add to the oil mix used in facial oil cleansing? Or perhaps a couple drops in the clay detox for hair? Thanks for your time and amazing website!
Just updated, but it is great for oil cleansing and for adding to hair products. I also just take a teaspoon or so a couple times a day.
I have heard of the black cumin seed oil. My folks were sending me packets of Rain Intl, but then I ran out. I just ordered some organic Black Cumin Seed. Was going to experiment with breads and soaking the seeds (they do not sprout). Do you have any other suggestions of consuming just the seeds?
I’ve heard of infusing them into oils or vinegar but haven’t tried it.
I bought some black caraway seeds thinking it was the same as the nigella .seeds I read somewhere that it is not the same . I don’t bake so I don’t know what to do with them. What are they good for?
Black caraway seeds are very good for digestion, just put into your tea water, let them boil a few minutes, strain and drink tea. You can add to ur regular tea or make a separate tea with caraway, fennel seeds & honey & lemon. Enjoy!
I was wondering if you can add BSO to salves ?
Just wondering about the black cumin seed oil at Mountain Rose Herbs since they sell organic if it meets your qualifications.
It is organic, it just isn’t shipped in the same type of glass so it could become rancid more easily, but it would probably still be a good choice.
On the Mountain Rose Herbs website, the thymoquinone level is not mentioned. I have written to them asking what percentage is in their black seed oil.
I’m already putting an order through Mountain Rose Herbs and they also carry Black Cumin oil. I’m ordering to Canada and it costs me double what it would cost someone in the US to purchase so I try to combine my orders as much as possible. Would you say that their Black cumin is just as good?
It is organic, it just isn’t shipped in the same type of glass so it could become rancid more easily, but it would probably still be a good choice.
Would it work to order from Mountain Rose Herbs and then transfer the oil to a miron glass bottle for storage after it arrives? Amazon has the bottles, and I don’t see why a bottle couldn’t be dedicated to Black Cumin Seed Oil and used over and over.
While that does help, remember that you don’t know how long or in what conditions it will be stored prior to your purchase (not that I think that Mountain Rose Herbs is aging the stuff in full sun for 10 years or anything… )
Hello, my name is Kiley, and I work at Mountain Rose Herbs. We’ve received a few questions from customers based on the comments in this post and wanted to share some details about the quality of our organic black cumin seed oil, our bottles, and our Quality Assurance process you.
We take great pride in ensuring our products arrive to you in their freshest state and that they never sit too long on our warehouse shelves. For our oils, we generally have no more than a 6-month supply on hand and donate unused older oils to a local biofuel company. While this can be costly for us, we refuse to knowingly sell our customers an inferior product. To help ensure the quality and freshness of our products, our warehouses are kept at optimal storage temperatures, and our oils are stored in light-proof containers. Organoleptic testing is performed by our Quality Control team on each drum of oil as it’s opened. Once we’ve confirmed the oil meets our standards, we lovingly fill each bottle by hand at the time your order is placed.
(1 of 2)
(2 of 2)
Speaking of our bottles, our food grade amber glass bottles have airtight screw caps that are designed to prevent deterioration and oxidation of the oil inside. To help keep shipping costs low for our customers, our larger sized oils (64 oz. or more), are packaged food grade BPA-free plastic bottles. No matter the size of your oil bottle, we recommend storing our cold-pressed black cumin seed oil in the fridge to keep it fresh and encourage you to order only what you’ll use within three months. We haven’t received any further information from Katie about her specific concerns with our bottles, but we take our customers’ feedback very seriously, and we encourage her (or any of you out there who’ve tried our black cumin seed oil), to send us your feedback.
We keep extensive records on our returns, and they show that in the last few years we’ve had only a handful of returns on our organic black cumin seed oil. They were all from people who were looking for a darker or more aromatic oil (because of the terroir of Egyptian soil where our cumin seeds for this oil are grown, our oil is a lighter color and slightly less aromatic than other oils available on the market). We have never had any customer returns due to rancidity, oxidation, or other spoilage issues. If you have questions or concerns about our organic black cumin seed oil, please reach out to our customer service department: [email protected].
I used black cumin seed oil, applied to my face twice daily for 8 + weeks. I put it on before bed one night and felt a slight tingle on my face but thought nothing of it. I put it on again the next morning and went out for the day. I came in later that day and had to wash my face as it was stinging. My face was really sore and red, it was also very, very dry and it feels very tight, rough and irritated . I dont know what has happened as my skin felt amazing for the time I had used it. I dont know what to do to fix this, any suggestions please.
Blckseed oil gave me a very bad rash on my face too. I continue taking it internally but it burns my throat, I don’t know if it’s normal.
I feel like I am having an allergic response to it also. Mouth feels inflamed with throat and eyes
Take first a 1/4 tsp raw Manuka or raw honey and coat mouth with it, then take oil and swish both in mouth then swallow. It burns my throat plain too but I heard we should be taking it with honey because they play off each other.
I had bought the “Amazing Herb” brand and it had burned my throat. My mother told my to buy the “sweet sunnah” brand and have found it to be way more tolerable, even my teenage daughter takes it. My mother instructed me to use the other oil for my hair and skin instead. Both have been effective, the use of the amazing herb is better for my skin externally. And the other orally have been great!
Don’t leave it on your skin for over night. Only apply for 1 hour then wash your face with soap. Combine equal amount of olive and black seed oil and leave it on for only one hour. Then wash with gentle soap.
Dilute it with coconut oil
Don’t leave it on your face. Wash it off after a few minutes. It is stronger than you think
Hey Katie,
I also have a thyroid problem and am always reading, researching and looking for new things to try.
I’ve read that the oil from India is best/better than the oil from Israel, any thoughts on that?
Too, I really would like to be clear on your thoughts about oils in amber bottles. Your thoughts are that they “may” not be protection enough, at least longer term, from light damage to this oil?
Thanks so much!
Hi
How are you. Black seed oil also call kalonji oil you can buy in canada also .
I use Andreas black seed oil I think it meets your requirements
Great article. I keep forgetting about this tiny seed and the power it packs. I’m wondering if it can grow here in the US and which zones it might grow in.
Like you, I’ve been working towards ‘fixing’ my Hashimoto’s Thyroid for 12 years. Finally this year, my thyroid is showing in the high range and I haven’t been on medication for 3+ years. It is possible. 🙂
I began with taking 2 tablespoons of aloe vera juice 2 x daily plus using turmeric in many dishes. I wanted to begin the heal from the inside. I knew people who had fet aloe vera had ‘cured’ their cancer. Don’t give up, the way I did it might not work for everyone and you have been a great inspiration and resource. Thank you.
Dee this is get news. I’ve been adding turmeric to my morning tea along with coconut oil and great lakes gelatin I learned about on this site. I’m going to try taking the aloe vera as well for my hypothyroidism.
I live in Utah and grown nigella. They reseed. I didn’t remember why I planted them.
I have Hashimoto thyroid for 19 years, can you share w me your remedy. Thk you. Carol
So, how do work this into your diet and how much do you recommend daily? I assume you cook with it, can you also use it other ways (i.e., directly on the skin or internally ingested in a warm beverage or mixed in a vinaigrette)?
I use in salad dressings and toss into already cooked foods but don’t cook with it. I also just drink a teaspoon a few times a day.
Do you take it orally with food only or when you drink a teaspoon of it do you do that on an empty stomach? Is it best to work your way up to a few teaspoons a day or just go for it? I have some, I’ve been mixing in the hair regrowth recipe you posted, but have not started taking it orally yet.
Should it be take on an empty stomach or with food to be best digested? Thank you <3
Definitely eat something first!
From what I’ve read. Start with a small amount, with food, once a day and work your way up. I started with 1/2 tsp with breakfast.
Hi. I have severe dermatitis when I get flare ups randomly throughout the day. What dosage would you recommend . I have peanuts allergies and sensitive skin. Don’t want to take more than I should.
Hi Katie,
Great post. Love it. It’s by sheer coincidence that your post ended up in my drop box today.
In the last week, one of my childhood friends, who was raised in Australia like me but spent some years of her adult life in Pakistan, recommended this to me for pretty much “everything”. Apparently, I have been told, this is not so well known in the western world and I quote one of the posts I read this week which is “Australia is behind the eight ball when it comes to black seed oil”..
In fact, I had a hard time finding *accurate* information which was written about the health benefits and I only identified this as the seeds on Turkish bread (which I thought were black sesame seeds, if there is such a thing).
My friend calls it Kalonji and she gave me a pack of seeds, saying that you could have it like you would have chia seeds. I was reluctant to use it because I don’t play around with products I’m not familiar with unless I’ve done my own research (due to my hypothyroidism).
I have been unable to find other ways of consuming the seeds for health benefits. I will however try, as recommended by my friend, to use them as I would use chia seeds.
Could you tell me if you have used the seeds and if so, how you have used them?
Your timing is perfect and if there is anyone I have faith in when learning about natural health alternatives, it’s Wellness Mama so thank you for your timely post.
Thanks for the kind words. I haven’t had a chance to use the seeds yet, but I’ve heard the same. I’ve also heard of infusing them into apple cider vinegar to make an herbal vinegar.
I make a paste with the seed and eat it with rice and FYI that’s how most people eat them in Indian subcontinent.
Its best to be taken with honey…Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that the black cumin seed is a remedy for every disease except death…he also said its best taken with honey… there’s been studies done showing the added benefits of taking it with honey…
Do you grind the seeds and mix with honey, or just mix the seeds whole with honey? Does grinding improve absorbtion? thanks
I just mix the seeds with the honey… but you chew them,I dont swallow them whole so I guess you could grind them too.. but I know with the whole seeds, some peoples tummys are abit sensitive, so you should heat it on a slow heat for abit to remove that harshness , it doesnt affect the nutritional value. .or you could just the oil..
I just mix the seeds with the honey… but you chew them,I dont swallow them whole so I guess you could grind them too.. but I know with the whole seeds, some peoples tummys are abit sensitive, so you should heat it on a slow heat for abit to remove that harshness , it doesnt affect the nutritional value. .or you could just take the oil..
Do this help to cure nausea & migraine pain.
For migraine. . Try hijama / cupping.
Can you explain hijama/cupping?
Is this safe for kids as well? Mine are 2&4, if safe, what dose? Thank you
hola – just back from Marrakech – bought the oil and the seeds and I’m going to try implementing to see what happens. I’m terrible when it comes to regimes lol but keen to be well 😉
I think you are using a different seed. Kalongi is onion seed . While cumin is different seed.
I suffer with allergies but since I have began taking Black Seed Oil I feel so much better. Also, I have arthritis and the pain I use to feel in my joints have been minimized. Try it and see. This worked for me.