Possibly Effective for

Asthma. Research shows that taking black seed by mouth along with asthma medicines can improve coughing, wheezing, and lung function in some people with asthma. But it seems to work only in people with very low lung function before treatment. And it does not seem to work as well as the drugs theophylline or salbutamol.

Diabetes. Early research shows that taking black seed powder can improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Black seed might also improve levels of cholesterol in people with diabetes. Doses of 2 grams daily seem to be needed for any benefit.

High blood pressure. Research shows that taking black seed by mouth might reduce blood pressure by a small amount.

To improve sperm function. Research shows that taking black seed oil increases the number of sperm and how quickly they move in men with infertility.

Breast pain (mastalgia). Research shows that applying a gel containing black seed oil to the breasts during the menstrual cycle reduces pain in women with breast pain.

Insufficient Evidence for

A type of leukemia (acute lymphoblastic leukemia). Taking black seed while being treated for this type of cancer might increase the chances of staying cancer-free once treatment ends. But it doesn’t improve overall survival.

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis). Early research suggests that taking black seed oil by mouth daily might improve allergy symptoms in people with hay fever.

Itchy and inflamed skin (eczema). Early research suggests that taking black seed oil by mouth might improve symptoms in people with itchy and inflamed skin. But applying black seed oil ointment to the skin does not seem to help.

A disease that attacks the thyroid (autoimmune thyroiditis). . Taking black seed might improve some but not all measures of thyroid function in people with a disease called Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Dry nose. Early research shows that using a nasal spray containing black seed oil can reduce dryness, blockage, and crusting of the nostrils in elderly patients with nasal irritation.

Indigestion. Taking a product containing black seed oil, honey, and water seems to reduce symptoms of indigestion. It’s unclear if this improvement is due to black seed or other ingredients.

Seizures (epilepsy). Early research shows that taking black seed extract by mouth reduces the number of seizures in children with epilepsy. But taking black seed oil does not seem to work.

Stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori (H pylori infectoin). Some research shows that taking black seed powder along with the drug omeprazole might help eliminate a certain bacteria (H. pylori) in the stomach that can cause stomach ulcers. But not all doses seem to work.

Hepatitis C. Some research shows that taking black seed powder along with the drug omeprazole might help eliminate a certain bacteria (H. pylori) in the stomach that can cause stomach ulcers. But not all doses seem to work.

High cholesterol. Some early research shows that taking crushed black seed increases "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and reduces total cholesterol, "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and blood fats called triglycerides in people with borderline high cholesterol. Other research shows that taking both crushed black seed and garlic oil in addition to other products that lower cholesterol, such as simvastatin, can lead to larger improvements in blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels than simvastatin alone. However, not all research agrees.

Metabolic syndrome. Early research suggests that taking a specific black seed oil product twice daily for 6 weeks might reduce total cholesterol, "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and blood sugar levels in people with metabolic syndrome.

Methotrexate toxicity. Early research shows that taking black seed might reduce liver damage caused by a certain drug used to treat cancer in children with a type of leukemia.

Relieving symptoms related to opioid withdrawal. Early research shows that taking black seed extract by mouth three times daily for 12 days might reduce symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Osteoarthritis. Early research shows that applying black seed oil to the knee for 3 weeks can help relieve knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis. Early research shows that taking black seed oil improves pain and stiffness in people with rheumatoid arthritis who are already taking methotrexate.

Sore throat and swollen tonsils (tonsillopharyngitis). Early research suggests that taking a combination of chanca piedra and black seed by mouth for 7 days relieves pain in people with sore throat and swollen tonsils.

“Black Seed: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-901/black-seed.