Herb

Black Seed Oil

Also known as Nigella sativa, Black cumin seed oil

Oil pressed from Nigella sativa seeds; its active compound thymoquinone has shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in trials, and is studied for metabolic, respiratory, and immune outcomes.

2linked conditions

14linked studies

On this pageEvidence Availability Outcomes & conditions →

Evidence

What the research actually shows

We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.

Evidence analytics

Where the evidence is concentrated

Number of audited published findings for Black Seed Oil by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.

Putative uses

Where people report using it and what trials suggest

Moderate evidenceFasting glucose / HbA1c
Moderate evidenceLDL & total cholesterol
Moderate evidenceBlood pressure (small reduction)
Weak evidenceAsthma symptoms adjunct

Where the evidence is negative

Common claims the trials do not support

Meta-analysis quality limited: small samples, mostly Middle-Eastern centres, short duration.
Weight-loss effect trivial (<1 kg).

Nigella sativa oil (thymoquinone) with consistent but small-trial metabolic improvements; effect sizes modest, quality moderate.

Safety notes: Topical use causes allergic contact dermatitis in some; GI upset; avoid high doses in pregnancy.

Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.

14studies referenced

13journals

1999–2025publication range

01Effects of Nigella sativa and its constituents on inflammatory markers in ovalbumin-induced asthma model: a preclinical systematic review and meta-analysisGhobadi H, et al. · Inflammopharmacology · 2025PMID 40839182 ↗02Effect of Nigella sativa Intake on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsHosseini H, et al. · Current pharmaceutical biotechnology · 2024PMID 37859312 ↗03A crossover randomized controlled trial examining the effects of black seed (Nigella sativa) supplementation on IL-1β, IL-6 and leptin, and insulin parameters in overweight and obese womenRazmpoosh E, et al. · BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2024PMID 38178093 ↗04The effect of Nigella sativa (black seed) on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsKavyani Z, et al. · Inflammopharmacology · 2023PMID 37036558 ↗05Effect of Nigella sativa on general health and immune system in young healthy volunteers; a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial

Search PubMed ↗Find clinical trials ↗

What trials found, in numbers

Summaries of published trial results for this compound, grouped by condition. Numbers are reported exactly as the researchers published them — we never calculate or convert.

How to read this table

Benefit: What the trial saw happen: whether the measured outcome moved in the helpful direction in that one study (the tag on each row: “Benefit seen”, “No clear benefit” or “Unclear”). It is a study result — not advice, and not a promise it will work for you.
Evidence: How strong the research behind that result is. A meta-analysis pools many studies (strongest); a systematic review collates them; an RCT tests against a control (placebo); observational studies only watch — they can suggest, not prove.
Effect size: How large the measured change was, exactly as the researchers published it. “No number reported” means the abstract gave no effect size — we never invent one.

In short: benefit is what was observed; evidence is how much you should trust the observation. A “Benefit seen” tag on a weak study counts for far less than the same tag on a meta-analysis.

Inflammation (38 outcomes)

Outcome measured	What trials found	Effect size	People studied	Duration	Type of evidence	Study
glutathione peroxidase (GPx)	GPx levels significantly improved by SMD 1.23 in 1086 participants compared to control. (95% CI 0.25, 2.22; p=0.014)Benefit seen	1.23 SMD	1086	—	Meta-analysis · 2023	PMID 37036558
interleukin 6 (IL-6)	No significant reduction in IL-6 levels found in 1086 participants compared to control. (SMD=-1.13; 95% CI -2.72, 0.46, p=0.162)No clear benefit	no number reported	1086	—	Meta-analysis · 2023	PMID 37036558

Outcomes & conditions

Why people look into Black Seed Oil — and what they report

Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.

Outcomes & conditions →

Important: This page reflects observational, aggregate-only community reporting and independent published research. It is not medical advice, and it does not claim any compound treats, cures, or is effective for any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or treatment.

Availability

Where to get Black Seed Oil (UK)

How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.

Retailer search links — we may earn commission on purchases at no cost to you. Commission never affects our evidence ratings.

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