Supplements

What Is Black Seed Oil? 8 Powerful Benefits of This Ancient Ingredient

Written by Claire Hannum

Updated on October 26, 2023

Black seed oil may be attracting new buzz lately, but the ingredient itself is anything but new. This incredible oil has been used for thousands of years to treat aches, pains, and ailments across the board.

Derived from the plant Nigella sativa, black seed oil is native to certain regions of Western Asia and Eastern Europe (1). Thanks to its long history as a medicinal herb, black seed oil has long been associated with healing properties—and science backs it up (2)!

In this article, we’ll zoom in on some of black seed oil’s eight most powerful benefits.

Table Of Contents

What Is Black Seed Oil Good For?

Black seed oil can be good for a whole host of ailments and even beauty habits. Let’s take a look at some of its greatest benefits…

Infographic listing the 8 health benefits of black seed oil

1. Weight Loss

Scientists aren’t yet sure how it happens, but black seed oil seems to aid in weight loss. In one study, women with obesity took 3 grams of black seed oil every day for two months in addition to eating a low-calorie diet. At the end of the study, they’d lost more weight and belly fat than women who relied on the diet alone (3).

Another study linked two months of daily black seed oil consumption to a lower appetite, body weight, body fat level, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) (4). One research review of 11 different studies found that black seed oil could help reduce body weight and belly fat, but we still need more research to dig into the how and why (5).

2. Vibrant, Radiant Hair

Black seed oil can be a fantastic addition to your haircare routine. As an antioxidant and antimicrobial ingredient, black seed oil may help boost your hair’s volume, strength, and glow (6).

Most research on black seed oil’s hair benefits focuses on how the ingredient works when combined with other products. For instance, black seed oil has been found to boost hair growth when mixed with coconut oil, and to help reduce hair loss when mixed with certain herbs (7, 8).

3. Reduced Inflammation

Inflammation is a silent threat to our health. Chronic inflammation could potentially contribute to a wide range of health issues, including heart disease, cancer, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and bowel conditions (9). Because of this, any anti-inflammatory ingredient is worth its weight in gold, as it can be an essential tool in protecting your health.

When it comes to black seed oil, studies have found it to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress while boosting antioxidants (10, 11). In fact, black seed oil may be particularly effective at curbing inflammation, even more so than other forms of black seed (10).

A bottle of NativePath Total Turmeric with softgels next to it

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This unique formula combines Full-Spectrum Curcumin with Black Seed Oil to protect against oxidative stress, promote a healthy inflammatory response, and support your immune system year-round.

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4. Improved Blood Sugar

Research indicates that black seed oil may be able to help control blood sugar. Reviews of several studies have found that it may help manage insulin and blood sugar levels both while fasting and after eating (12, 13).

Just like similar studies around reducing inflammation, research has found that black seed oil in particular may be more effective at managing blood sugar than other forms of black seed, like powder (14).

5. Psoriasis and Eczema

Black seed oil has been found to make a difference in two conditions that majorly impact the skin: psoriasis and eczema. (Both are linked to inflammation, so black seed oil’s superpowers are an ideal antidote!)

Studies have found that black seed oil may be useful in the treatment of psoriasis and may help reduce symptoms, though more research is needed to develop a clearer picture of whether it’s truly effective over the long term (15, 16, 17).

Research has also linked black seed oil to decreases in eczema symptoms (18, 19). One study, in particular, found that black seed oil may be as effective at relieving symptoms as some eczema creams (20).

6. Reduced Risk of Heart Disease, Stroke, and Diabetes

Black seed oil may help reduce symptoms of metabolic syndrome, which is a series of conditions that can raise your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes (21). Studies have found that the oil could help reduce factors commonly associated with metabolic syndrome, including cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting blood sugar levels (22, 23).

7. Managing Acne

This ancient oil is an effective remedy against acne, most likely because of its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial capabilities (24). Studies have linked black seed oil to reduced acne lesions and lower severity of breakouts (25).

8. Better Wound Healing

Black seed oil includes a compound called thymoquinone, which may help encourage tissue growth and wound healing (26).

As a result, black seed oil may help promote faster and better healing of burns and diabetic wounds. Studies on animals have found that black seed oil can speed up healing, but more research is needed to determine if this effect is the same on humans (27, 28).

Frequently Asked Questions

At this time, there is no recommended dosage for black seed oil. However, scientific research has studied the following doses (30):

  • Black Seed Capsule: 1 to 3g daily
  • Black Seed Oil: 0.7g, 3g, or 5mL daily
  • Black Seed Powder: 2g daily
  • Black Seed Tea: 5g daily
Someone pouring two softgels out of a bottle of NativePath Total Turmeric with water and lemons next to it

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This unique formula combines Full-Spectrum Curcumin with Black Seed Oil to protect against oxidative stress, promote a healthy inflammatory response, and support your immune system year-round.

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The Bottom Line

One of the things we love most about black seed oil is how it pairs with other ingredients—turmeric, in particular—to maximize results. A massive independent study led by four major universities found black seed oil to positively impact bioavailability (i.e. how easily your body can absorb an ingredient) (29). Since turmeric is a spice that has massive health benefits but low bioavailability, black seed oil is the perfect addition.

You may be wondering, where can I buy black seed oil that has turmeric? We have you covered. NativePath Total Turmeric combines 500mg of full-spectrum curcumin and 500mg of black seed oil in just two small softgels. Take it daily to experience the health benefits listed in this article.

Claire Hannum
Article by

Claire Hannum

As a writer, editor, and wellness seeker, Claire has written for Self, Health, Prevention, CNN, Mic, Livestrong, and Greatist, just to name a few. When she's not writing, she specializes in traveling, getting lost in health-related research rabbit holes, and finding new ways to spoil her cat.

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    Medical Disclaimer

    This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Chad Walding nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program.

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