Black Cumin

Small clinical trials suggest benefits for asthma, allergic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, dyspepsia, H. pylori, diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; anticancer effects are unclear in humans.

Benefits

Antioxidant
anti-inflammatory
immunomodulatory
antiparasitic
hepatoprotective effects
may help control high blood pressure
asthma
diabetes
rheumatoid arthritis.

Key compounds

Thymoquinonefixed oilproteinsalkaloidcalciumpotassiumphosphorusmagnesiumsodiumironzinccopper

May help with

Used in traditional medicine in India
Arabia
and Europe to reduce inflammation
treat infections
and as a culinary spice.

Best for these goals

Antioxidantanti-inflammatoryimmunomodulatoryantiparasitichepatoprotective effectsmay help control high blood pressureasthmadiabetesrheumatoid arthritis.

How to use it

Seeds in cooking, seed extracts, oil (oral and topical), topical gel

Evidence level

Limited

Cautions & interactions

Topical use may cause allergic reactions; high doses caused liver and kidney damage in rats, human data lacking; not shown to treat cancer in humans. | Interactions: May inhibit CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, potentially affecting metabolism of cytochrome P450 substrate drugs; clinical relevance unknown.

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Educational information only — not medical advice, and not evaluated by the FDA. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider before using any ingredient therapeutically, especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

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