Parts Most Frequently Used: Seed, Oil from the Seeds

Flavors/Temps: Pungent, Slightly Bitter, Warm

Caution: Considered safe, although not recommended during pregnancy or while nursing.

Key Constituents: Thymoquinone, p-cymene, carvacrol, thymol, pinene, logic acid, palmitic acid, Coumarin, Quercetin, Antioxidants, Protein, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Phosphorus, Zinc

History/Folklore: Black seed (Nigella sativa) is often referred to as black caraway, black cumin, nigella, or Roman coriander. Elwendia persica (A.K.A. Bunium persicum) is also commonly called black seed or black caraway, but it is an entirely different plant.

Black seed (Nigella sativa) is commonly used as a culinary spice for its savory, pungent, and slightly bitter flavor. Some say the seeds have a nutty, oniony, and peppery taste. It is often added to curries, breads, and other dishes. It is especially popular in Arabian cuisine and has a long history of medicinal use across the Mediterranean, Middle East, West Asia, and India.

In Palestine, the seeds are ground to make bitter qizha paste. The seeds can be dry-roasted and used to flavor curries, vegetables, poultry, and other dishes. They are used as part of a five-spice mixture called panch phoron in Bengali cuisine and as an ingredient in Middle Eastern braided string cheese called majdouleh.

Archeological evidence indicates that the earliest cultivation of N. sativa dates back three millennia, with seeds found in several ancient Egyptian tombs. The ancient Persian physician Avicenna described N. sativa as a treatment for dyspnea in his Canon of Medicine.

In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), the seeds are commonly used to treat various conditions, including headaches, inflammation, and digestive issues. In Ayurvedic medicine, the seeds are similarly used, with a focus on boosting the immune system and supporting digestion.

The seeds and their oil are the parts most popularly used. The active compound, thymoquinone, plays a significant role in many of the seeds’ medicinal properties, including its ability to heal skin wounds and burns. Besides the seeds’ anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, the oil made from the seeds seems to increase collagen production and moisturize the skin, effects that further support wound healing.

A recent review found that inhaling black seed extract had a bronchodilatory effect on people with asthma, improving lung function and respiratory rate.

N. sativa has also been found to reduce hair loss. In a review involving 90 participants using different seed oils for hair loss, N. sativa was found to be the most effective. Another review, from 2020, noted that daily use of N. sativa for 3 months significantly increased hair volume in people with telogen effluvium, a common form of hair loss. The powdered seed has been used to remove lice from hair. And, while more research is needed, studies are suggesting that N. sativa oil may be beneficial for treating “vitiligo”, which causes loss of skin pigmentation by aiding the spread of melanin within the skin.

N. sativa is considered protective for the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs. While more research is needed, there is evidence that the seeds may lower cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels. Research in 2019 has shown evidence that black seed oil is beneficial for stabilizing blood sugar levels during fasting and after meals.

The seeds are even referenced by the Prophet Muhammad, who described the seeds as “A remedy for every illness except death.” They are also mentioned in the Bible and ancient Greek medicine. It was often called “the herb from heaven,” and in the Bible, it is mentioned as “ketzah,” a spice for bread and cake. In the Jewish tradition, it’s seen as part of a sacred covenant where all plants are given as food that sustains both physical and spiritual health, thereby linking bodily care to honoring God. In all cases, the seeds are associated with divine grace.

Black seed is a symbol of divine healing, blessing, and spiritual mystery–often called the “blessed seed.” Its mysterious nature, hidden dark seeds within the delicate flowers, symbolize hidden knowledge and introspection.

Its flowers are often called “love-in-a-mist” due to the plant’s ethereal feathery foliage, becoming a symbol for love’s fragile nature and a sign of delicate relationships

The seeds can be collected in muslin bags and hung near a fire, where they will fill a room with their amazing scent.