Black seed oil (nigella)
Silver· human dataAlso known as: Nigella sativa, Black cumin
A thymoquinone-rich oil with broad wellness claims and some early metabolic data.
Black seed oil, from Nigella sativa, contains thymoquinone and is used traditionally for a very wide range of complaints, from allergies to metabolic health.
The more credible human evidence points to small improvements in blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid markers in some studies, while the broader 'cure-all' claims far outstrip the data. A low-risk option with modest, specific evidence rather than the panacea it is often sold as.
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Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale, MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.
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