Supplement Clarity

Black Seed Oil Definitive Review: 59 Facts To Know

Joe Cannon
Black seeds nigella Sativa

do black seeds really work

Update 1/22/20. I was at Vitamin Shoppe getting some stuff when I asked the question, “what's your best selling product” and the answer surprised me. The woman said black seed oil. Finally, after over 20 years of investigating supplements, something unique! I had no idea black seed oil was so popular. The woman at Vitamin Shoppe went on an on about all the benefits it had. So I became curious. Does black seed oil (also called black cumin) really work or is it a scam? In this black seed oil review, I did a deep dive into the research and was impressed with some of the stuff I saw. If you have never heard of black seed oil (Nigella sativa) or wondered if it was right for you, this review will answer ALL your questions. See the black see oil FAQ too.

Read This First

I believe this is the most comprehensive and honest black seed oil review on the internet. The main focus of this review is the human research on black seed oil and black seed powder. I'll share with you what the science says and it's shortcomings. I'll also give you the amounts of black seed oil and powder used to help you figure out if this is right for you.

Please share this review with your friends so they know these facts too.

1 What Are Black Seeds?

Black seed oil capsules 1250 mg

Black seeds are the seeds from the plant Nigella sativa also called fennel flower. Despite the name, the flower has a purple appearance. The seeds of the flower are black and, when pressed, produce an oil, called black seed oil. Another name for this product is black cumin oil.

2 Other Names For Black Seeds

And many others. Despite its diverse names, it's usually called black seed oil, black cumin, and nigella sativa (Ni-jella-sat-Tiv-a). Remembering these names will help when you shop for it.

3 Benefits Of Black Seed Oil Benefits

Black seeds -and their oil – are said to have the following health benefits:

And many others…

In some cultures, this medicinal herb was once considered “a remedy for all diseases except death.” That’s quite a reputation!

Here's Black Seed Oil on Amazon

4 What Is Thymoquinone (TQ)

Thymoquinone, (thy-mo-quin-own) or TQ is one of the major active biological compounds in black seed oil (black cumin oil). It usually ranges from 30-48% of the oil. Preliminary research suggests TQ has antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammation properties.

Many of the effects of black seeds are often said to be due to its TQ content, although I believe it's more complicated than this. Some supplements actually call attention to how much TQ they contain.

5 What Is Thymohydroquinone (THQ)

Thy-mo-hydro-quin-one (THQ) is another biologically active black seed oil compound. Black seeds contain less THQ than TQ, usually around  7-15%. Thymohydroquinone seems to have anti-cancer effects. Most of the research on THQ involves lab animals and test tube research.

6 Black Seed Oil Compounds

Supplements may call attention to their TQ or THQ content. While these are important compounds, remember the oil of black cumin seeds contains many other compounds. These other elements also have biological effects we are only just starting to understand. Some of those biological compounds include:

Nigellicimine Limonene Citronellol
Alpha-hederin Saponin Fiber
Iron Phosphorous Copper
Zinc Carotene Linoleic acid
Oleic acid Eicodadienoic α-sitosterol

Black Seed Oil Research

Black seeds and black seed oil have been clinically studied. While much of the research is still limited to lab animals and test tubes, there is some human research too. In this review, I'll focus mostly on human research so you can better understand if it's right for you.

7 Black Seed Oil And Heart Disease

Improving heart disease is the area with most of the human black cumin oil research. Human evidence has shown black seed oil supplements can to reduce triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol. This should lead to better heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.  From several of the studies I saw, benefits start showing up after only 1-2 months of use.

Researchers in Iraq gave Nigella sativa or a placebo to menopausal women. After 2 months of use, women taking black seed oil showed significant reductions in cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and even a boost in HDL (good) cholesterol too.  A month after stopping treatment, all their cholesterol levels etc. started to return to what they were before the study.

Dosages used to achieve heart health benefits are usually around 2 grams daily.

See these other heart health supplement reviews too

My Thoughts: anything which lowers LDL and triglycerides and boosts HDL makes sense for heart health. It looks like the effects would happen pretty quickly too.

8 Black Seed Oil And Diabetes

Apple Cider Vinegar. It's been shown to lower blood sugar too

Black cumin seeds seem to lower blood sugar and A1C levels. Researchers in Saudi Arabia found 1 gram of black seeds was effective at reducing fasting blood sugar and blood sugar 2 hours after eating – and AIC levels – when it was given to 94 diabetes for 3 months.

Researchers also saw reductions in blood sugar when they tested black seed powder in 114 people with type II diabetes.  This study used 2 grams per day, given for 1 year.

In a review article of both lab animal and human studies, researchers concluded black seeds can improve blood sugar control and likely work in various ways.

See the Apple Cider Vinegar Review

My Thoughts: for people with type II diabetes, remember losing weight – if you need to – is still one of the best things you can do to reduce blood sugar and A1C levels.  While black seed oil might help, do more than this to get the best results.

Here's a video of black seeds' effects on blood sugar

9 Black Seed Oil And Blood Pressure

Researchers in Iran gave 2.5 ml of black seed oil to 70 people with both normal and high blood pressure for 8 weeks and saw significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Other researchers also saw a significant drop in blood pressure when they gave 100-200 mg of black seed powder to people with mildly high blood pressure. These researchers noted nigella sativa caused a significant drop in LDL (Bad) cholesterol too.

Researchers have also noticed reductions in blood pressure after giving people 100-200 mg of black cumin seed powder for 8 weeks. As an added bonus, this investigation also saw reductions in total cholesterol and bad (LDL) cholesterol).

Black cumin powder capsules also were shown to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels in 39 people with diabetes. This study lasted a year. That's a long time. The dosage used was 2 grams per day.

Researchers in 2016 after performing a meta-analysis (a study of studies) concluded black seed powder could reduce both systolic blood pressure (the top number) and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) significantly.

My Thoughts: The research for blood pressure lowering is interesting. Blood pressure is funny because sometimes things will help some people but not others. Monitor your blood pressure to see if it works for you.

10 Black Seed Oil And Cancer

No study has tested whether black seeds can cure cancer in people. The preliminary evidence, however, is intriguing. Lab animal and test tube research suggest nigella sativa may reduce the risk of getting cancer. In one test-tube investigation, both black seeds and black seed oil shrank lung cancer cells. 

Other research -again test tube studies – finds thymoquinone (TQ) can cause cancer cell death (apoptosis).  Of course, it will take human research to verify if black seed oil prolongs the lives of those with cancer. Currently, there is no black cumin dosage for cancer. In other words, nobody knows how much they might work in people.

My thoughts: If Nigella sativa really does treat cancer in people, the dosage would likely be different depending on the type of cancer someone has. Currently, no study shows Nigella sativa can prevent cancer. The best prevention is still eating well and exercising.

11 Black Seed Oil And Rheumatoid Arthritis

Given black seeds may reduce inflammation, researchers in Egypt tested black seed oil to see if it might help an inflammation disease – rheumatoid arthritis. These researchers noted black seed oil reduced RA pain more than a placebo when it was given to 40 women with the disorder. Joint stiffness was improved too. The amount used was 1000 mg per day (500 mg, given 2x per day). Improvements were seen after a month of use.

Researchers in Iran noted black seed oil reduced CRP levels in women with rheumatoid arthritis. CPR is a blood test marker for inflammation. These investigators also saw less joint welling in people and improvements in various white blood cells like CD4 lymphocytes.  The amount used was 1000 mg per day.

My Thoughts: lowering CPR levels may be how black seeds help reduce arthritis pain and stiffness.

12 Black Seed Oil And Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Researchers in Iran noted 1 cc (1 ml) of black seed oil applied to the knees 3 times per day was more effective at reducing pain than Tylenol plus black seed oil.  In another study, however, 2 g of black seed oil powder did not work when it was given to 77 people with arthritis in the knee.

My thoughts: We need more research to know if black seed oil or powder helps osteoarthritis.

13 Black Seed Oil And Breast Pain

Some women may experience breast pain that coincides with their menstrual cycles and/or premenstrual syndrome. Medically,  this condition is called cyclic mastalgia. At least one investigation has noted black cumin seed oil applied to the site of pain was effective at reducing breast pain compared to a placebo.

My Thoughts: While I think we need more research, it can't hurt to try if you have breast pain.

14 Black Seed Oil And The Thyroid

People with hypothyroidism often ask me if there are any natural cures to get them off medication. While I think more research is needed, in one study of people with Hashimoto's disease, 2 grams of black seed powder, given for 8 weeks, decreased TSH levels and thyroid autoantibodies compared to a placebo. In addition, thyroid hormone (T3) increased.

Here's a video I created about this research:

So how does black seed powder improve thyroid function?  It may be related to reducing cellular inflammation. By reducing inflammation, black cumin seed powder might help the thyroid function better.

My Thoughts: If you have thyroid problems, get your TSH and thyroid auto-antibodies tested first. Also, if black seed powder or oil does raise thyroid hormone, your doctor may need to adjust your thyroid medicine.

See the Black Seed Powder Thyroid Review

15 Black Seed Oil Antibiotic Effects

Nigella sativa seems to have natural antibiotic properties. In one investigation, researchers noted black seed oil was effective against various drug-resistance strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA) collected from diabetics.

Other studies show black cumin is also effective against the bacteria which cause ulcers (Helicobacter pylori). Researchers also find it may help skin conditions like eczema too. While research is scant, no studies show it blocks pores or causes pimples.

Lab animal research hints Nigella sativa might be effective against candida (Thrush). Whether or not this means toothpaste made from black cumin oil would work needs more study

Given its antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effects, the cosmetic/cosmeceutical industry is looking at black seed oil as an acne treatment. One study revealed that a 20% black seed oil solution was superior to benzoyl peroxide at treating acne. Topical use of a combination of black cumin seed oil and fish oil seemed to improve vitiligo after 6 months of use. Vitiligo is a skin pigmentation disorder.

See the pseudo catalase review for more on vitiligo.

Because it has antioxidant properties, black seed creams may be useful as skin moisturizers.

My Thoughts: Much of the research involves test tubes or lab animals.  If you have skin problems, apply to a small part of the skin first to see your reactions are.

16 Black Seeds Anti Yeast Activity

Preliminary evidence hints extracts of black seeds may be effective at helping reduce yeast overgrowth. Researchers in India observed the oil of black cumin seeds effective at reducing canidia, an effect that was also seen in lab animals.

My Thoughts: We need more human research to know how effective it is for yeast overgrowth.

17 Black Seed And Opioid Withdrawal

While the research on this issue is in its infancy, one study noted black seed powder, given at a dosage of 500 mg, may help people get off opioid pain medications. This was a small study involving only 35 individuals who were addicted to opioids.  An increase in appetite was noted, but nobody gained weight.

Oddly, this investigation occurred in 2008 and seems to be the only one on this topic. Given the opioid epidemic in the US, I'm surprised there is not more research like this.

Based on this report, drug testing may test for the presence of black seeds. The idea being if Nigella sativa helps get people off of opioids, it might have opioid effects. But, there seems to be no proof of this in humans. For example, I have not heard of anyone getting stoned on black seeds.

Nigella sativa is related to cannabis sativa (pot), but I can't find any proof of THC in black seeds.

If you are taking black seeds and are about to be drug tested, find out if they test for nigella sativa. Ask the drug testing company why they are testing for nigella sativa. I'd like to know what their reasons are.

See the Kratom review for more insights

My Thoughts: preliminary research is interesting. Because opioid withdrawal is serious, please do this under a doctor's care.

16 Black Seed Oil And HIV/AIDS

SeroReversion is the technical term for recovery from an infection. One fascinating report tells the story of a 46-year-old man in Nigeria who was HIV positive for at least 3 months – and showing symptoms too. During a 6 month period, an herbalist gave him 10 ml of black seed oil twice a day. That is 2 teaspoons.

After the first month of treatment, the man's symptoms started to improve, While CD4 count was initially decreased, after 2 months, his CD4 blood cells started to increase. After 2 months, NO HIV could be detected in his body. Medical tests confirmed this.

What makes this report even more difficult to believe was that the man improved despite not following the herbalist's instructions. He was instructed to take 10 ml three times a day but could only do it twice a day because of his work schedule.

How did black seeds cure his HIV? I do not know. In the report, the herbalist gave the man a “Nigella sativa concoction,” which consisted of

The honey was likely to improve the taste of the concoction.

People with HIV/AIDS should show this report to their doctors to get their thoughts on it. I have a lot of questions about this report such as:

  1. Did the herbalist ever cure anyone else?
  2. What's the name of the herbalist?

Given the detail the doctor went into in preparing this case report, I found it difficult to understand why the doctor did not investigate this further  -or try to cure anyone else.

How black cumin oil works on other viral distress like herpes, the flu or UTIs needs more research.

My Thoughts:  Other than this report in 2009, I can't find any proof that black seed oil cures AIDS. While it can't hurt to try, I can't say whether it would work or not. If black seeds really were a cure for AIDS, I'd think we would have heard more about this by now.

Video Review: Can Black Seeds Cure HIV?

Watch my video review on YouTube

Here is my updated video, which includes the other HIV research

Watch on my Youtube channel too

19 Black Seed Oil And Ulcers

Black seed oil may be a natural cure for ulcers and it seems to work quickly.  Researchers in Iran gave a mixture of 6 g black seed oil and 12g honey to 19 people with ulcers caused by H Pylori (the bacteria which causes most ulcers). They took this mixture 3 times a day after meals. After 2 weeks, 57% of people had no sign of ulcers any longer.

Given its antibiotic activity, some have speculated black seed oil might prevent cavities. While, in theory, it might help, the evidence stems from lab animal research. Let's see what future studies tell us.

My Thoughts: H pylori can be treated pretty well with antibiotics. For the person who wants to do it naturally, the preliminary evidence is intriguing.  As for cavities, just don't forget to brush and floss 🙂




20 Black Seeds And Osteoporosis

Lab animal research suggests black cumin seeds may help protect against bone loss. In one investigation, doctors in Egypt reversed osteoporosis in lab rats after 8 weeks of use. OK, I read this study and did the math. The amount used to reverse bone loss was 5000 mg per day. This is a LOT more than most black cumin studies use. I would not use this much.

My Thoughts: rats are not people. The best way to improve bone strength and reverse bone loss is to do strength training exercises.

21 Black Seeds And The Liver

Lab animal research shows a liver protective effect by black cumin seed powder. Studies have shown it protects against alcohol-induced free radical damage and Tylenol -induced liver failure. Human studies need to confirm these findings. While thymoquinone (TQ) is thought to be the reason for these benefits, it's likely many other compounds in Nigella sativa play roles too.

Hepatitis C is a virus that can lead to liver failure and also diabetes. Can black seeds help hep C? Maybe. Investigators in Egypt gave 1350mg of black seed oil to 30 people with hepatitis C. After 3 months of use, researchers noted black seed oil caused

All very impressive outcomes. The brand of black seed oil used in this study was called Baraka (Pharco Pharmaceuticals). It does not appear this study was sponsored by the Pharco company. For people with hepatitis C, this may be something to discuss with their doctor.

Here is Baraka on amazon.

My Thoughts: The best way to protect the liver is to stop drinking alcohol. Whether black seeds help the human liver needs more study. As for hepatitis C, preliminary research is very interesting. Speak to your doctor to see if its right for you.

22 Black Seed Oil And Tinnitus

Some know I've been dealing with ringing in the ears (tinnitus) for some time. Lab rat research suggests thymoquinone (TQ) might help to hear after acoustic trauma. Basically, researchers blasted loud music at rats for 4 hours. Some rats got a placebo and others got TQ. Rats receiving TQ seeded to have better hearing. Ginnie pig studies also suggest a beneficial role in hearing. Human studies need to be done to know more.
See my Supplements For Tinnitus Review

My Thoughts: I have tinnitus. I may try this and report what happens.

23 Black Seed Oil And Weight Loss

In one study, overweight men were given a placebo or black cumin seed powder for 3 months. These researchers noted weight loss started to occur after 1 week of use. Bodyweight and waist circumference measurements were less after the 3-month study.

I'm skeptical of this study because the other findings – on blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, etc – didn't agree with other investigations. Also, the men's testosterone did not go up. I'd expect testosterone would increase since the people lost weight. But that's not what happened. These are big problems in my book.

Doctors in Iran also observed a weight loss effect when they gave 2 grams of black cumin seed powder to 45 people with thyroid problems. They also noted significant changes in cholesterol and triglycerides too.

Researchers in Iran, conducting a review of the weight loss research, noted the studies appear to show black seeds can cause weight loss of about 3 pounds compared to a placebo. These researchers also found black seed consumption was associated with a reduced body mass index but not a reduction in waist circumference (the area around the tummy).

But, what about gaining weight? Could black cumin seed powder help skinny people gain weight?  While no studies appear to have investigated this, I don't think it would have much of an effect. While the oil is mostly fat (omega 3, 6, and 9 fats), a tablespoon is only about 45 calories. Sure, if someone guzzled a bottle a day, this could add extra calories, but just taking 1 or two teaspoons per day probably would not do much.

My Thoughts: While I think better weight loss studies need to be performed.

24 Black Seed Oil And Exercise

Can black seed powder or oil help you lift heavier weights or run faster? While human studies are lacking, at least 1 lab rat study noted better heart pumping ability and IGF-1 levels. What does this mean for runners and bodybuilders? I have no idea. Let's see what human research finds. Hey grad students, thesis topic 🙂

My thoughts: It can't hurt. Nobody can say whether it works or not until better research is performed.

25 Black Seed Oil And Hair Loss

A quick search for “black seed oil hair growth” will reveal many websites that discuss how to apply it to the scalp, how long to leave it on, etc. But, is there any proof? One preliminary investigation involved 20 women with a scalp disorder called telogen effluvium who was given a 5% solution of Nigella sativa or a placebo solution for 3 months. These researchers noted that 70% of those taking the black seed oil solution had improved hair growth and density.

This is interesting, but I have not seen any follow-up studies. Why? It's been over 5 years. Also, the study appears in a journal website based in China I feel may be questionable. Other than this investigation, I can't find any proof it helps hair growth.

The question of whether or not black seed oil can restore color to gray hair seems to have no proof.  So why are websites saying it reverses gray hair? Clickbait. The good news is applying Nigella sativa oil to the scalp or using it as a shampoo won't hurt. If it helped your hair let me know below.

See the Halo Beauty, Viviscal review and Castor Oil and Hair review for more insights

My Thoughts: I don't believe black seed oil grows hair or slows hair loss.

26 Black Seed Oil And Memory

Can black cumin seed oil improve memory or help people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease? Like many things dealing with this food supplement, research is in its infancy but there may be some hope. Researchers in India gave either a placebo or 1000 mg of black seed powder to 40 healthy older adults. After 9 weeks of use, those taking Nigella sativa powder scored better on memory and recall tests than those taking a placebo.

Another investigation noted 500 mg of black seed powder might improve anxiety and memory in young boys. While, these studies hint to memory-improving effects in healthy people, what this all means for those with memory issues like Alzheimer's disease and other forms of memory defects remains to be seen.

My thoughts: Research in both older and younger people seem to show it helps memory in healthy people. It's unknown if this means black seed oil helps memory in people who have dementia. I'm really looking forward to more research on this. For now, remember aerobic exercise (walking) is great for helping memory too.

27 Black Seeds For Anxiety

Preliminary evidence suggests black seed oil compounds show activity in the brain. Animal research has noted it can alter various brain chemicals, such as 5-HTP  and serotonin levels. Investigators in India have shown 500 mg of black seed powder appears to improve anxiety in adolescent boys.

Some point to thymoquinone (TQ) as the key ingredient, but it's likely more complicated than just this. While testimonials from people online appear to show beneficial effects, human studies on anxiety and depression deserve more attention.

My thoughts: It can't hurt to try.

28 Black Seeds For Autism

Studies pertaining to how black seeds might affect autism cannot be located. Some websites chalk this up to because you can't patent nature, there is no reason to study it, I disagree because as you can see here, there ARE investigations on a variety of topics. Lack of evidence does not equal it does not work, however, so this might also mean nobody yet has investigated it for autism.

My thoughts: While there appears to be no human proof black seed oil helps autism, it can't hurt to give it a try, but if the person takes any medications, speak to a pharmacist first.

29 Black Seeds For Lupus

It appears nobody has studied nigella sativa to see if it helps lupus. This is interesting given its anti-inflammatory properties and because it has been studied in people with arthritis. Lupus is a form of arthritis.

My thoughts: This would be pretty easy to study. I'm surprised nobody has tested black seed oil in people with lupus.

30 Black Seed Oil for Fibroid Tumors

Research proving that black seeds can help fibroid tumors cannot be located.

My thoughts: It's unknown if it helps or not.

31 Black Seed Oil And Asthma

One small study of 15 people with asthma noted that boiled black cumin seeds opened up airways. Other researchers also showed improvements in respiratory lung function after 4 weeks of use compared to placebo.

My thoughts: The research is preliminary. Some research has used 1000 mg per day for Asthma.

32 Black Seed Benefits For Men

The benefits of black cumin seed oil appear to be the same for men and women. For the most part, research has not shown any differences between genders. There is some evidence black seed oil may increase sperm count and sperm swimming ability. This will be of interest to men trying to have children.

With respect to ED and erections, no researchers have investigated this yet. Not many studies have looked at black seed oil and testosterone. Researchers in Indonesia found no boost in testosterone levels after 3 months of use.

My Thoughts: While the evidence is preliminary, black seed oil might help your sperm work better but as for raising testosterone, so far it doesn't seem to work.

33 Nigella Sativa And Pregnancy

Men who take black cumin seed oil or other supplements may improve the odds of conception occurring. One study noted increased sperm count and better sperm swimming ability after taking black cumin seed oil 5ml per day for 2 months. This benefit may be counteracted by women who take black seed oil. See the side effects section below.

My Thoughts: While it may help to get pregnant, don't take black seeds during pregnancy.

34 Black Seed Oil Side Effects

In healthy people, I really don't see any negative consequences to taking nigella sativa. Human studies do not show any adverse side effects in the liver, kidneys, heart, brain, etc. In healthy people, it appears safe. Even in not-so-healthy people (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc), serious side effects have not been reported.

Because nothing is without risks and we are all different, here are some things to think about when taking this supplement. This list is not complete:

Black Seed Oil Questions

Here are the answers to many questions people have about Nigella sativa.

35 Where To Buy Black Seed Oil

Black cumin seed products are popular and can be found at most major stores like Walmart, GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Costco, CVS, and Target.

Here it is on Amazon too

When it comes to supplements, the product can be found as:

There is even a toothpaste too.

For the health problems described above, either the oil, powders or capsules were used.

36 How To Take Nigella Sativa?

While research has not stated whether it's best to take it on an empty stomach or with food, I think food might be best. The same thing goes for the capsules too. When using the powder or oil, mixing it in smoothies, honey or yogurt is an option.

Food might help improve the absorption of some of the beneficial compounds. Taking it with food might make it more palatable as some say this supplement doesn't taste good.

37 Are Black Seeds Safe During Pregnancy?

Do not take it during pregnancy. Some lab animal evidence suggests black seeds may inhibit uterus contractions. Speak to your doctor before using it.

38 Can Black Seeds Help You Lose Weight?

There is research suggesting it might help though I'm not convinced. The same is true about how the seeds fit into intermittent fasting diets also.

39 What Is Egyptian Black Seed Oil?

This is just another name for this product. It's also called Egyptian Black Cumin Oil. Whatever name you call it by, it's no different than any other type of seed oil product.

40 Is Cold-Pressed Best?

Cold-pressed means the seeds were pressed together under cold temperatures. While cold-pressed black seed oil is popular, the research doesn't specifically say it's better.  If you prefer cold-pressed seed oil, great. I just can't point to any proof it's better.

41 Are Black Seeds Mentioned In The Bible?

Based on the Bible translation you use, yes. In the book of Isaiah 28:27 (NLT) it reads, “ A heavy sledge is never used to thresh black cumin; rather, it is beaten with a light stick. A threshing wheel is never rolled on cumin; instead, it is beaten lightly with a flail.”  This food has been with us a long time, as evidenced by all the research on it from the Middle East.

42 Nigella Sativa For Pets?

Black seed oil is getting popular with dog owners. But, the benefits in dogs and other pets need more study. Pet owners should speak to a veterinarian for more up-to-date information.

43 Can Black Seed Oil Spoil?

Supplements should have an expiration date on the bottle to reduce the chances a product goes rancid. The bottles should be dark to prevent light from entering and interacting with the oil.

Even though I see this stuff not refrigerated in stores, I feel it's best to keep it in the refrigerator. For what it's worth, I also feel fish oil supplements should be refrigerated too.

44 Glass vs Plastic Bottles

I feel the product should come in a glass bottle. Can plastic bottles allow for interaction between the oil and plastic container? While it may take time for this to occur, we don't know how long the oil has been sitting on store shelves before you bought it. If you are paranoid, glass containers may be a better option.

45 Black Seeds vs. Black Seed Oil

What's better black seeds or black seed oil? Couldn't you just eat the seeds instead? No head-to-head comparisons exist but since the oil is condensed from seeds, it would seem reasonable the oil would be more concentrated. The same thing might also be true for black seed powder as well.

The decision as to which is best may depend on your preference and the situation you are trying to improve. The research section above can help you make this decision.

46 Black Seed Oil Taste

Like all things, the taste can vary from person to person. That said, when I searched online testimonials, almost everybody said it tasted bad. Words used to describe the taste included horrible, chemical tasting and varnish-like.

Some said it had a pepper-like aftertaste and burned the throat when swallowed. These are pretty powerful words. This may be the biggest downside to black seed oil.

Some recommend mixing it with orange juice and drinking it quickly. When I searched for “best tasting black seed oil” I didn't see any brand claiming this title. That says to me, the taste of all of them probably have issues. For those who can't stand the taste, black seed capsules or gelcaps are an alternative.

Here are capsules on Amazon

47 Can You Take Too Much?

Too much of anything will have side effects. While Nigella sativa research does not show any bad side effects, I think negative effects would depend on what health problems and medications someone was taking. From the review of health conditions above, it seems most researchers are using the following dosages:

Until we know more, staying in this range is probably wise. For more specific dosage instructions, consult your pharmacist, herbalist, dietitian or naturopath.

48 Can You Build Up A Tolerance?

Is it possible the that dosage of black seeds that once worked doesn't anymore after a period of time? In other words, could you build up tolerance? I don't see any evidence for this. A few human studies have lasted a year and no mention of tolerance was discussed.

There don't seem to be any withdrawal symptoms if someone stops taking black seed products either. Studies lasting a year have not mentioned any problems with withdrawal. Given some may want to try black seed oil to break addiction from opioid pain meds, kratom or tobacco, the lack of withdrawal and side effects would make this experiment appealing.

49 Black Seed Oil And Toddlers

Can you give this stuff to babies? The research is very limited. In one small investigation, black seed powder reduced seizures in kids.  I was surprised the youngest in this study was just 13 months.

In another investigation, 22 kids with epilepsy were given a placebo the black seed compound thymoquinone (TQ) for 4 weeks. The dosage used was 1 mg per kilogram. These researchers reported thymoquinone caused fewer seizures.

Studies like these are interesting but they are few in number. To be honest, I would not give black seed powder or oil to young kids. Some websites discuss the black seed benefits in toddlers, but none provide proof.

If it did help, how much do you use? Without clinical studies, anyone who says “take this much” is guessing. Lastly, there is the problem of taste. Remember, this stuff doesn't taste good. Kids probably won't like it.

50 Can It help Parkinson's And MS?

Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease are two areas deserving of more attention. While some lab animal and test-tube studies describe how thymoquinone (TQ) may have brain-protective effects, human studies have not been published. Because of possible medication interactions, those with Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis should discuss black seed supplements with their doctor and pharmacist first.

51 Black Seed Oil vs. Castor Oil

These are not the same thing. Castor oil comes from a different plant called Ricinus communis. While it's possible some black seed supplements may also contain castor oil, I see no evidence both oils would be better than Nigella sativa alone.

52 Black Seed Oil vs. Hemp Oil

Given the popularity of hemp, some might wonder how it stacks up against Nigella sativa. Currently, there seem to be no head-to-head comparisons of these two oils against each other or even to see what happens if they are combined together. One rat study did show black seed powder improved memory defects and motor behavior induced by cannabis. Human research, however, is lacking.

53 Black Seed Oil vs. Black Currant Oil

The oil from black currant (Ribes nigrum) is rich in phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and has research on a variety of topics. Studies comparing the effects of black currant to black seed oil cannot be located. While it's possible both oils might complement each other, how they do so and under what conditions needs more study.

54 Black Seed Oil vs. Oregano Oil

Oregano (origanum Vulgare) also has a long list of health research but no studies have pitted oregano oil to black seed oil to see which would be better. At least one company has combined both oregano and black seed oils into a single product called Black Oregano. While both oils might pack a bigger punch in theory, it would take research to prove.

Heres Black Oregano on Amazon

55 Black Seed Oil vs. Fish Oil

There is no fish oil (EPA or DHA) in black seed oil. While there are a little bit of omega 3 fats in black seeds, it's in the form of ALA – alpha-linolenic acid. This is different than the omega 3's – EPA and DHA – in fish. While it is different, ALA does have health benefits.

While some researchers have combined fish oil and black seed oils, they have not been compared to each other to see which is better. Because each contains different compounds (there is no thymoquinone in fish oil for example), I think they would work differently than each other.

56 Can it Help Warts?

I searched for clinical studies but could not locate anywhere black seed oil was applied to warts. In theory, it makes sense it might but there is no convincing proof either way.  If Nigella sativa oil helped shrink your warts – genital or otherwise – leave a comment below about how long it took to work, etc.  I know many doctors read my website. Maybe your comment will spark some interest to look further into this.

57 How Many Times Per Day Do You Take It?

From the research above, people have used black seed oil products 1-3 times per day for up to a year.

58 What's The Best Black Seed Oil?

Research does not highlight one product over another, although this brand of oil has a 5-star rating with over 2800 comments. This brand of black cumin capsules is also quite popular too.

59 Does Black Seed Oil Work?

Very interesting research suggests Nigella sativa may not just a myth and might just be a superfood, although it should be noted most clinical research still involves lab animals. Human testing would be real proof. While most of the research deals with heart health and diabetes, other evidence suggests a wide range of effects.

Here's Black Seed Oil Supplements 

Here are Black Seeds

What Do You Think?

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