Black seed

Brain Health

Immunity & Infectious Disease

When looking at the human evidence in particular, nigella sativa appears to have a general health protective effect of a very small magnitude. It is able to reduce triglycerides and glucose when elevated and can normalize cholesterol metabolism (although not HDL-C) as well, but the amount of benefit it confers is too small for it to be considered a good intervention. It's also modestly effective as a general anti-inflammatory agent and may be useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Nigella sativa shows more promise as an immune booster (no evidence on rates of sickness, but it seems to increase the ability of macrophages to attack invaders) and an anti-allergic compound (with efficacy against <a href="/conditions/allergic-rhinitis/" class="popover" data-tooltip="&lt;div&gt;&lt;h6&gt;Allergic Rhinitis&lt;/h6&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allergic rhinitis is a condition mainly characterized by runny nose, sinus congestion, sneezing, and itching after being exposed to an allergen.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;">allergic rhinitis</a>, <a href="/conditions/asthma/" class="popover" data-tooltip="&lt;div&gt;&lt;h6&gt;Asthma&lt;/h6&gt;&lt;p&gt;Asthma is a lung condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which results in episodes of wheezing and breathlessness. Asthma can be worsened by environmental exposures, such as allergens, cold air, exercise, viral/bacterial infections, and some drugs. Diet and supplementation may alleviate asthma by way of reducing inflammation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;">asthma</a>, and <a href="/conditions/eczema/" class="popover" data-tooltip="&lt;div&gt;&lt;h6&gt;Eczema&lt;/h6&gt;&lt;p&gt;Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common, painful skin condition where the skin is inflamed, itchy, and the skin barrier is disrupted. Treatment generally involves addressing each of these aspects.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;">eczema</a>). One study that used nigella sativa alongside a proton pump inhibitor noted that the seed extract was potently anti-bacterial against helicobacter pylori with a comparable potency to the reference drugs used.
Lastly, in men with central obesity, the seeds were noted to greatly improve symptoms of <a href="/conditions/obesity/" class="popover" data-tooltip="&lt;div&gt;&lt;h6&gt;Obesity&lt;/h6&gt;&lt;p&gt;Obesity is a condition of excessive body fat that increases the risk for other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Fat is how the body stores extra calories that were eaten but not used. Obesity treatment usually involves restricting the calories eaten or creating negative calorie balance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;">obesity</a>, such as loss of <a href="/outcomes/libido/" class="popover" data-tooltip="&lt;div&gt;&lt;h6&gt;Libido&lt;/h6&gt;&lt;p&gt;Libido, or sex drive, refers to the spontaneity, frequency, and magnitude of sexual desire. It’s affected by hormones and neurotransmitters (their dysfunction, as in depression, can suppress libido).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;">libido</a>, forgetfulness, high <a href="/outcomes/appetite/" class="popover" data-tooltip="&lt;div&gt;&lt;h6&gt;Appetite&lt;/h6&gt;&lt;p&gt;The desire to eat food, independent of whether food is actually eaten or not. This pools together both physical hunger and subjective appetite, since studies measure this by self-report survey.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;">appetite</a>, aches and arthalgia, sleeplessness, and laziness. But further evidence is needed to confirm these effects.

Kamal Patel

Allergies & Immunity

Allergic Rhinitis

Allergy Symptoms

Asthma Symptoms

Immunity

Nasal Congestion

Cortisol

Diabetes & Blood Sugar

Liver Health

Healthy Aging

Cardiovascular Health

Metabolic Health

Blood Pressure

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

Total cholesterol

Triglycerides

Weight

Appetite

Cognition

Memory

Serum Albumin

Adiponectin

Bilirubin

Blood glucose

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

Creatinine

Food Intake

Free Testosterone

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

Liver Enzymes

Processing Accuracy

Uric Acid

Dyslipidemia

Asthma

Lung Function

High Blood Pressure

Heart Rate

Proteinuria

High Cholesterol

Fat Loss

Obesity

Joint Health

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Pain

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Type 2 Diabetes

HbA1c

General Cardiovascular Health

Memory & Focus

Vegetarians & Vegans

Cognitive Improvement

Attention

Processing Speed

Working Memory

Epilepsy

Seizure Frequency

Hepatitis C

HCV Viral Load

Red Blood Cell Count

White Blood Cell Count

Metabolic Syndrome

Respiratory Health

Weight Loss & Maintenance

Effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of powdered Nigella sativa (kalonji) seed in capsules on serum lipid levels, blood sugar, blood pressure, and body weight in adults: results of a randomized, double-blind controlled trial

The effect of Nigella sativa Linn. seed on memory, attention and cognition in healthy human volunteers

Efficacy of Nigella sativa on serum free testosterone and metabolic disturbances in central obese male

Potential adjuvant effects of Nigella sativa seeds to improve specific immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis patients

Effect of Nigella sativa (black seed) on subjective feeling in patients with allergic diseases

Herbal treatment of allergic rhinitis: the use of Nigella sativa

Clinical evaluation of Nigella sativa seeds for the treatment of hyperlipidemia: a randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial

The possible prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa seed extract in asthmatic patients

Antihypertensive effect of Nigella sativa seed extract in patients with mild hypertension

Effects of Nigella sativa on outcome of hepatitis C in Egypt

Effectiveness of Nigella sativa oil in the management of rheumatoid arthritis patients: a placebo controlled study

Effect of Nigella sativa seeds on the glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The possible prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa seed aqueous extract on respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests on chemical war victims: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Effect of Nigella sativa oil on various clinical and biochemical parameters of insulin resistance syndrome

The effect of thymoquinone on intractable pediatric seizures (pilot study)

Black seed

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