
Common Names
- Black cumin
- Black caraway
- Black seed
- Kalonji
For Patients & Caregivers
Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. This will help them manage your care and keep you safe.
How It Works
Black cumin seed has not been shown to treat cancer in humans.
Black cumin seed is used for cooking and in traditional medicine in India, Arabia, and Europe. Laboratory studies have shown that some components have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Small clinical suggest that black cumin seed may help to control high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Purported Uses
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To treat cancer
Animal studies have shown that black cumin seed can stop the growth of tumor cells and reduce the incidence of tumors. However, the effects in humans are unclear. -
To protect the body from the adverse effect of radiation therapy
Topical application of an N. sativa gel decreased the severity of acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients. -
To decrease hypertension
Small studies suggest benefits in lowering hypertension. -
To decrease symptoms of asthma
Studies show that black cumin seed may help to prevent asthmatic symptoms. -
To treatment rheumatoid arthritis
One study shows black cumin seed oil when taken orally, can help reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis -
To treat diabetes
Small studies show benefits of black cumin seed in patients with diabetes.
Do Not Take If
Side Effects
For Healthcare Professionals
Clinical Summary
Nigella sativa is a flowering plant found throughout India, Arabia, and Europe. The seeds, commonly known as black seeds or black cumin, are used in cooking and in traditional medicine to reduce inflammation, as well as to treat infections and cancer.
Constituents from N. sativa demonstrated immunomodulatory (1) (2) (11), antioxidant (15), antiparasitic (13) and hepatoprotective effects (14)in preclinical studies. Findings from small clinical trials suggest benefits of seed extracts for the treatment of asthma (21), allergic diseases (12), rheumatoid arthritis (26), dyspepsia (27) (31), diabetes (28), and for ameliorating hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (32). But data on anti-hypertensive effects are conflicting (22) (33). Thymoquinone, a major constituent of N. sativa, conferred antiepileptic effects in children with refractory seizures (23). Further, topical use of N. sativa oil has been shown to alleviate cyclical mastalgia (34); and to relieve osteoarthritic knee pain in older individuals (35), but oral intake of N. sativa seed powder did not have similar benefit (36).
Evidence also suggests that N. sativa has anticancer properties. Thymoquinone and other constituents reduced the growth and size of tumors in murine models (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9). Thymoquinone also enhanced the anticancer effects of doxorubicin in certain cancer cell lines (25). N. sativa oil, when injected, conferred protection against radiation-induced tissue damage in a murine model (15).
In small clinical studies, oral intake of N. sativa seeds lowered the incidence of febrile neutropenia and length of hospital stay in children with brain tumors (37); and topical application of an N. sativa gel decreased the severity of acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients (38). Larger studies are needed to confirm these observations.
Purported Uses
Mechanism of Action
Thymoquinone, one of the chief constituents of N. sativa oil has antioxidant effects and restored the levels of lactate dehydrogenase, glutathione, and SOD in animal models (6) (7) (9). This may also explain its hepatoprotective effects (3) (4). Studies have also shown that N. sativa oil exerts anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase (18). Nigellone, a constituent of the crude seed extract, inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (10) and may reduce allergy symptoms in humans (12). N. sativa also decreased hypertension in rats likely via its diuretic effects (5), and decreased uterine smooth muscle contractions (14).
The antioxidant effects of nigella are thought to protect tissues from radiation injury (15). However, it is not clear if this would also make radiation therapy less effective. Possible antitumor mechanisms of thymoquinone include inhibition of DNA synthesis (7), and promotion of apoptosis by inhibiting cell growth in G1 phase (8). A methanol extract of N. sativa exhibited in vitro estrogenic activity following naringinase treatment (30).
Adverse Reactions
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Topical use of pure oil of N. sativa caused allergic contact dermatitis in 2 people with maculopapular eczema (19).
- The fixed oil of N. sativa orally administered to rats for up to 12 weeks did not produce any significant changes in hepatic enzymes, and did not affect mortality (16). However, high doses may cause liver damage (29). Human data are lacking.
Herb-Drug Interactions
- Cytochrome P450 substrates: Nigella sativa inhibits CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 and can affect the intracellular concentration of drugs metabolized by these enzymes (24). Clinical relevance is not known.