Research Snapshot
Black Seed
A synthesis of the peer-reviewed evidence for Black Seed across immune, pain support, metabolism and cognition, graded by scientific consensus and reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Board.
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ImmuneDoes Nigella Sativa (Black Seed Extract) support healthy immune function?
Evidence from 17 studies
What the research shows
Overall, Nigella sativa supports healthy immune function through its ability to enhance cytokine production, activate T cells, and modulate inflammation. Its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties further contribute to its role as an immune enhancer. These findings suggest that Nigella sativa could be a valuable dietary supplement for boosting immune health.
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F1000Research | A. Salem et. al. | 2 | 2021
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Rigorous Journal
Nigella sativa has a promising immune-enhancing effect in young healthy individuals, with the optimum dose being 1g for optimal results.
International immunopharmacology | A. Majdalawieh et. al. | 185 | 2015
Rigorous Journal , Highly Cited , Literature Review , Systematic Review
Nigella sativa and its active ingredient, thymoquinone, show potential in regulating immune reactions in various infectious and non-infectious conditions, including allergies, autoimmunity, and cancer.
Antioxidants | Klaudia Ciesielska-Figlon et. al. | 5 | 2023
Systematic Review
Nigella sativa, also known as black cumin, has potential immunomodulatory effects, suggesting it could be used in developing effective therapeutic agents for regulating immune reactions.
Scientific Reports | H. Mahmoud et. al. | 14 | 2021
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Animal Trial , Rigorous Journal , Controlled experimental study
Dietary supplementation with Nigella sativa (black seeds) improves weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and enhances immune response in male Wistar rats through antioxidant potential, cytokine production, CD8 expression, and reduced splenic apoptosis.
Pain SupportDoes nigella sativa help support pain management?
Evidence from 9 studies
What the research shows
Nigella sativa shows promise as a natural remedy for pain management across various conditions, including human research. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, along with a favorable safety profile, make it a viable option for those seeking alternative pain relief methods.
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Planta Medica | A. Khabbazi Et. Al. | 19 | 2020
Systematic Review
Nigella sativa shows potential in rheumatoid arthritis treatment by decreasing inflammation, inhibiting oxidative stress, and modulating the immune system.
Journal of ethnopharmacology | M. S. Al-Ghamdi Et. Al. | 508, 11 Influential | 2001
Non-Randomized Control Trial , Animal Trial , In Vivo Experiment , Highly Cited
Nigella sativa extract shows anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, supporting its use in folk medicine, but has no effect on yeast-induced pyrexia.
Traditional and Integrative Medicine | Mojdeh Ghamari Et. Al. | 0 | 2023
Systematic Review
Nigella sativa L., containing thymoquinone, can be recommended as a safe adjuvant treatment for relieving osteoarthritis pain without significant adverse effects.
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine | A. Anaeigoudari | 2 | 2022
Systematic Review
Nigella sativa and its main constituent thymoquinone exhibit antidepressant and anti-nociceptive effects, potentially due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
MetabolismDoes Nigella Sativa improve metabolic function?
Evidence from 17 studies
What the research shows
Nigella sativa appears to improve metabolic function by enhancing lipid profiles, glycemic control, and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. It shows promise as a complementary intervention for metabolic function. Further studies are needed to confirm these effects and determine optimal dosages.
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British Journal of Nutrition | E. Razmpoosh eT. aL. | 2 | 2022
Non-Randomized Control Trial , Very Rigorous Journal
Nigella sativa oil supplementation reduces TNF- levels, increases AdipoR1 expression, and reduces body weight in overweight/obese women, potentially aiding in obesity management.
British journal of clinical pharmacology | Sophie Pélegrin Et. Al. | 21, 1 Influential | 2022
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Very Rigorous Journal , Rigorous Journal
Nigella sativa seeds (black cumin) powder did not significantly affect glucose regulation in healthy volunteers, but may help lower lipid concentrations in hyperlipidaemic individuals.
Complementary therapies in medicine | J. Heshmati Et. Al. | 89, 4 Influential | 2015
Highly Cited , Systematic Review
Nigella sativa can improve glycemic status and lipid profile in diabetes models, but more clinical trials are needed to clarify its beneficial effects and effective type and dosage for diabetes management.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | Amiza Hamdan Et. Al. | 55, 3 Influential | 2019
Rigorous Journal , Systematic Review
Nigella sativa significantly improves diabetes control by reducing blood glucose levels, glycated hemoglobin, and insulin resistance, and increasing serum insulin.
CognitionDoes Nigella Sativa support brain health?
Evidence from 12 studies
What the research shows
Overall, Nigella sativa appears to support brain health through its antioxidant, neuroprotective, and cognitive-enhancing properties. It shows promise in improving learning and memory, protecting against oxidative stress, and modulating mood and anxiety. Further research, particularly long-term human studies, is needed to fully understand its potential as a supportive agent for brain health.
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Journal of ethnopharmacology | M. B. Bin Sayeed Et. Al. | 96, 3 Influential | 2013
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Highly Cited
Nigella sativa Linn. seed enhances memory, attention, and cognition in healthy elderly volunteers, potentially preventing or slowing Alzheimer's disease progression.
Journal of ethnopharmacology | M. B. Bin Sayeed Et. Al | 78 , 1 Influential Citations | 2014
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Highly Cited
Nigella sativa L. seeds can stabilize mood, decrease anxiety, and positively modulate cognition in healthy adolescent males after 4 weeks of intake.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM | M. K. A. Sahak Et. Al. | 76 | 2016
Rigorous Journal , Highly Cited
Nigella sativa and its active constituents, such as thymoquinone, may enhance learning and memory in both health and disease conditions, potentially offering a potential treatment for dementia.
Alternative & Integrative Medicine | R. Mohammad Et. Al. | 16, 1 Influential | 2016
Systematic Review
Nigella sativa (Black Seed) shows potential in controlling neuropsychiatric diseases, improving learning, memory, alertness, and mood, as well as providing neuro-protection against spinal cord injury and malaria.
Reviewed by Experts
Every research snapshot is checked by our independent Scientific Advisory Board: physicians, botanists and pharmacology researchers who verify the evidence grading and its interpretation.
Kerry Hughes
M.Sc., RH(AHG), FDN-P
Ethnobotanist & herbalist; Berkeley Herbal Center; principal at EthnoPharm.
View full profile →Lance Dreher
PhD, Nutritional Counseling
Performance nutrition & conditioning; four decades of applied training science.
View full profile →Dr. Lindsey Faucette
DO, FAAFP
Board-certified in Family & Integrative Medicine; Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
View full profile →Francisco Chacon
PhD, Plant Biology
Botanical natural products & phytochemistry researcher, Penn State University.
View full profile →Meet the full Scientific Advisory Board →
How We Grade Consensus
For each benefit we retrieve the relevant peer-reviewed literature and classify every study by whether its findings support (Yes), partially or conditionally support (Possibly), or do not support (No) the claim. The donut shows the share of studies in each category; N is the number of studies analyzed for that benefit.
Grades reflect the weight and direction of the current evidence, not a guarantee of outcome, and the interpretation is verified by the Scientific Advisory Board.