Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Black Cumin
Nigella sativa
This monograph compiles 9 pharmacological actions, 16 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 18 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from gastroprotective action
more plants for acid reflux →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →inferred from analgesic action
more plants for back pain →detailed sources →inferred from digestive action
more plants for bloating →detailed sources →inferred from antidiabetic action
more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →inferred from immunomodulator action
more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →inferred from analgesic action
more plants for headache →detailed sources →inferred from digestive action
more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →inferred from antimicrobial action
more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →inferred from antidiabetic action
more plants for metabolic support →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →inferred from antimicrobial action
more plants for wounds →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally well-tolerated in clinical trials at doses up to 200 mg/day of oil for 90 days. Potential side effects may include mild gastrointestinal discomfort. Contraindicated during pregnancy due to potential uterine stimulant effects. May interact with immunosuppressants and antidiabetic medications. Allergic reactions possible in sensitive individuals. Consult healthcare provider before use, especially with concurrent medications.
Duke (2002) describes black cumin (Nigella sativa) as one of the most multi-active medicinal spices, with experimental evidence for bronchodilation, immunostimulation, hepatoprotection, and antihistaminic activity. The prophet Muhammad reportedly described it as 'a cure for all things except death.' Key bioactive compounds include thymoquinone and nigellone. Antihistaminic and bronchodilatory activity supports its traditional use in asthma and allergic conditions. Duke notes it is generally safe at culinary amounts but recommends caution with medicinal doses in pregnancy due to potential uterotonic effects (Duke, 2002).
References
REF-2065, REF-2066, REF-2067, REF-2068, REF-2069, REF-2070, REF-2071, REF-2072, REF-2073, REF-2074, REF-2075References & Sources
- Hannan, M.A., Rahman, M.A., Sohag, A.A.M., Uddin, M.J., Dash, R., Sikder, M.H., Rahman, M.S., Timalsina, B., Munni, Y.A. and Sarker, P.P (2021) 'Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.): A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemistry, Health Benefits, Molecular Pharmacology, and Safety', Nutrients, 13(6), pp. 1784. doi:10.3390/nu13061784 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061784 - Ahmad, A., Husain, A., Mujeeb, M., Khan, S.A., Najmi, A.K., Siddique, N.A., Damanhouri, Z.A. and Anwar, F (2013) 'A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb', Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 3(5), pp. 337-352. doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60075-1 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60075-1 - Chatterjee, G., Saha, A.K., Khurshid, S. and Saha, A (2025) 'A Comprehensive Review of the Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Therapeutic Efficacies of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) Seed Oil and Its Thymoquinone', Journal of Medicinal Food, 28(4), pp. 325-339. doi:10.1089/jmf.2024.k.0149 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2024.k.0149 - Majdalawieh, A.F. and Fayyad, M.W (2015) 'Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory action of Nigella sativa and thymoquinone: A comprehensive review', International Immunopharmacology, 28(1), pp. 295-304. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2015.06.023 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2015.06.023 - Shaukat, A., Zaidi, A., Anwar, H. and Kizilbash, N (2023) 'Mechanism of the antidiabetic action of Nigella sativa and Thymoquinone: a review', Frontiers in Nutrition, 10, pp. 1126272. doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1126272 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1126272 - Beheshti, F., Khazaei, M. and Hosseini, M (2016) 'Neuropharmacological effects of Nigella sativa', Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 6(1), pp. 104-116. Meta-analysis / review
Find this source - Shafiq, H., Ahmad, A., Masud, T. and Kaleem, M (2014) 'Cardio-protective and anti-cancer therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa', Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 17(12), pp. 967-979. Meta-analysis / review
Find this source - Bordoni, L., Fedeli, D., Nasuti, C., Maggi, F., Papa, F., Wabitsch, M., De Caterina, R. and Gabbianelli, R (2019) 'Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Nigella sativa Oil in Human Pre-Adipocytes', Antioxidants, 8(2), pp. 51. doi:10.3390/antiox8020051 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8020051 - Gholamnezhad, Z., Havakhah, S. and Boskabady, M.H (2016) 'Preclinical and clinical effects of Nigella sativa and its constituent, thymoquinone: A review', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 190, pp. 372-386. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.06.061 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.06.061 - Ali, B.H. and Blunden, G (2003) 'Pharmacological and toxicological properties of Nigella sativa', Phytotherapy Research, 17(4), pp. 299-305. doi:10.1002/ptr.1309 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1309 - Al-Attass, S.A., Zahran, F.M. and Turkistany, S.A (2016) 'Nigella sativa and its active constituent thymoquinone in oral health', Saudi Medical Journal, 37(3), pp. 235-244. doi:10.15537/smj.2016.3.13006 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2016.3.13006 - Ahmad A, Husain A, Mujeeb M, et al. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013;3 (2013) ';3(5):337-352', 3(5). Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3642442/ Traditional / reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3642442/ - Darakhshan S, Bidmeshki Pour A, Hosseinzadeh Colagar A, Sisakhtnezhad S. Thymoquinone and its therapeutic potentials. Pharmacol Res. 2015;95-96:138-158. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4387230/ (2015) ';95-96:138-158'. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4387230/ Traditional / reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4387230/ - Forouzanfar F, Bazzaz BSF, Hosseinzadeh H. A review of ethnobotany, phytochemistry, antimicrobial pharmacology and toxicology of Nigella sativa L. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;142:112040. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332221009665 (2021) ';142:112040'. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332221009665 Traditional / reference
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332221009665 - Gholamnezhad Z, Keyhanmanesh R, Boskabady MH. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory aspects of Nigella sativa for its preventive and bronchodilatory effects on obstructive respiratory diseases. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;136:111240. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332221002778 (2021) ';136:111240'. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332221002778 Traditional / reference
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332221002778 - Hannan MA, Rahman MA, Sohag AAM, et al. Black cumin (2021) ';13(6):1784', 13(6). doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.625386/full Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.625386/full - Kooti W, Hasanzadeh-Noohi Z, Sharafi-Ahvazi N, et al. Phytochemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutic uses of black seed (2016) ';22(3):231-237', 22(3). Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8225153/ Traditional / reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8225153/ - Tavakkoli A, Mahdian V, Razavi BM, Hosseinzadeh H. Review on clinical trials of black seed (2017) ';20(3):179-193', 20(3). Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5633670/ Traditional / reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5633670/
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