Black seed oil is a supplement extracted fromNigella sativaseeds,also known as black cumin.
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
Here’s a look at several key findings from available studies.

Verywell / Getty Images
May Lower Blood Sugar
Black seed oil may benefit some people with bang out 2 diabetes.
Participants had a decrease in theirfasting blood glucose.
For the study, women consumedNigella sativaoil or a placebo while following a low-calorie diet for eight weeks.
However, more research is needed to validate the efficacy of black seed oil therapy for autoimmune skin issues.
The results demonstrated black seed oil’s potential to treat many inflammatory conditions.
Be sure to discuss your use of black seed oil with a healthcare provider before using it.
Black seed powder ranges from 1 to 2 grams by mouth daily for eight to 12 weeks.
Is Black Seed Oil Safe?
Black seed oil may not be safe for everyone.
Children and pregnant or lactating individuals should not take it.
Black Seed Oil Side Effects
Consuming a supplement like black seed oil may have potential side effects.
Black seed oil is not a replacement for conventional medical care.
Avoid stopping any of your medications without speaking with your healthcare provider.
While some studies support health claims, most are small, and more research is needed.
As a supplement, the FDA does not regulate black seed oil.
Burdock GA.Assessment of black cumin (Nigella sativaL.)
as a food ingredient and putative therapeutic agent.Regul Toxicol Pharmacol.
on obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
on acne vulgaris: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.Phytother Res.
2023;16(2):206.
2016;16(1):471.
(black cumin): a promising natural remedy for wide range of illnesses.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
2019;2019:1528635. doi:10.1155/2019/1528635
Hannan MdA, Rahman MdA, Sohag AAM, et al.Black cumin (Nigella sativaL.
): a comprehensive review on phytochemistry, health benefits, molecular pharmacology, and safety.Nutrients.
2017;30(1):229-234.
2016 Jan-Feb;6(1):104-16.
United States Department of Agriculture.Taxon:Nigella sativaL.