The Benefits and Uses of Black Seed Oil

Black seed oil, from the plant Nigella sativa, has been used as a natural remedy for thousands of years. Its myriad benefits are still trusted — and proven — today.

May 10, 2021

By: Kassondra Cloos

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What Is Black Seed Oil?

Black seed oil comes from a plant called Nigella sativa and is known by many different names, including black cumin, nigella and kalojeera, just to name a few. Its reputed health benefits are myriad and its usage as a remedy for wounds and illnesses dates back to ancient times, says Dr. Jenelle Kim, a doctor of Chinese medicine and founder of JBK Wellness Labs, which makes the formulas for hair and skincare products you can find at Whole Foods and in some luxury hotels. The benefits of this incredible herb are astonishing, she says. She’s seen a resurgence in black seed oil’s popularity over the past year as people have started paying much closer attention to their health and seeking more herbal remedies.

How Should You Use Black Seed Oil?

Before you go slathering it all over your skin, know that it’s often best used as an ingredient rather than on its own says Dr. Kim. She says she comes from a long lineage of Korean herbalists and has seen a boom in the popularity of black seed oil over the past year as people have started paying much closer attention to their health. “A lot of these ingredients that might seem new to us have actually been [used] in history for so long,” she says, “and to me that just gives that much more certainty and understanding of why it’s lasted, is because it’s so effective.” The ancient physician Hippocrates recorded therapeutic benefits of Nigella sativa more than 2,000 years ago, according to a paper published in the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal in 2017. Dr. Kim says she takes black seed oil capsules as a supplement and she also recommends seeking it out as an ingredient in haircare and skincare products. Just be aware that supplements are regulated by the FDA as food, not drugs, so check with your doctor before taking black seed oil supplements.

Black Seed Oil May Relieve Inflammation Caused by Asthma

The anti-inflammatory properties of black seed oil may help reduce inflammation in the airway caused by asthma, according to Dr. Kim, the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal paper and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center website. Nigella sativa has been a documented remedy for shortness of breath since at least the 1200s, according to the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal paper, though its authors concluded more studies are necessary to prove the degree of its usefulness.

Black Seed Oil Can Help Reduce Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

“Traditionally, it is used to treat a variety of diseases or disorders that are associated with the respiratory system, digestive tract, kidney and liver function, cardiovascular system and immune system support,” says Dr. Jerry Bailey, an acupuncturist, chiropractic and functional medicine physician. Thanks to being packed with fatty acids, it can help reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol, he and Dr. Kim say.

Black Seed Oil Has Antioxidant Properties

Foods with antioxidant qualities can help our bodies prevent and fight cancer, and black seed oil is a rather potent antioxidant, according to Dr. Bailey. Among other compounds with various health benefits, black seed oil contains thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone. A 2008 study published in the journal Experimental Oncology concluded that these two compounds might have tumor-fighting capabilities. According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center website, "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."

Black Seed Oil Can Clear Up Acne

People who used a lotion with 10% black seed oil were found to have reduced acne, according to an article published in the Journal of Dermatology & Dermatologic Study in 2015 that reviewed the study. Dr. Kim also recommends seeking out skincare products that list black seed oil as an ingredient rather than applying it directly to your face. “True herbal medicine comes in formulation,” Dr. Kim says. “You can have one ingredient, but when you [add] others, it creates a formula that your body can absorb that much better.”

Black Seed Oil Might Relieve Arthritis Pain

One of the most powerful compounds in black seed oil is thymoquinone, Dr. Bailey says, which is both a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Studies have shown that it can reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, according to an article published in the journal Phytomedicine in 2018. Dr. Bailey recommends asking your doctor if it might be a worthwhile remedy for you to try. “Always be sure to check with your doctor who is versed in herbal medicine to be sure it is safe for you and will not interact with any potential medication you may be taking,” he says. “Black seed oil can be used in so many ways to benefit your health and wellness," he says. "It should be in every herbal medicine cabinet.”

Black Seed Oil Might Assist With Hair Growth

Thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties and the omega-3 and omega-6 fats it contains, black seed oil can improve blood circulation, Dr. Kim says. In addition to lowering blood pressure, better circulation can also help improve your scalp’s health and hair growth within a few weeks, according to Dr. Kim. She recommends seeking products containing a mix of black seed oil and other “carrier” oils, like olive, coconut or castor oil, or mixing your own at home to apply directly to your hair, after checking with your doctor.

Black Seed Oil May Help Prevent Gray Hair

In addition to potentially promoting growth, black seed oil may also help your hair follicles retain their natural color when it’s applied topically, according to Dr. Kim, to help combat graying hair.

Black Seed Oil Can Treat Wounds and Psoriasis and Fight Infections

With natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, black seed oil can help protect wounds against infection and enable them to heal faster, Dr. Kim says. Studies on mice have shown that Nigella sativa can fight bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral infections, according to an article published in the Journal of Dermatology & Dermatologic Study in 2015.