Black Cumin – Nigella sativa

Common Names: Black Cumin, Black Caraway, Fennel Flower, Roman Coriander, Nigella, Egyptian Black Seed, Wild Caraway, Black Seed, Black Spice, Gold of the Pharaohs, Nigella sativa, Cheveux de Vénus, Upakuncika, Cumin noir, Black-seed, Kala Jeera

Latin Name: Nigella sativa

Origin: Africa, Asia, Europe

Short Introduction

Black Cumin is an annual herb. Botanically, this refers to a plant species that typically matures, blooms, and completes its life cycle within a single year. The herb propagates through its characteristic black seeds, growing in poppy-like capsules after flowering. Black Cumin is an undemanding plant, thriving in dry, calcareous soil in sunny locations. Sow seeds directly outdoors either early in spring or in autumn, with beds covered during winter for protection. While it is considered threatened in the Czech Republic, by law it is classified as a field weed and is thus not protected. You can encounter Black Cumin in many environments and in some gardens it is cultivated for ornamental purposes.

Detailed Description

A magically healing herb from Asia, cherished both in cuisine and natural medicine!

Botanical Information

Nigella sativa, or Black Cumin, is an erect annual herb reaching heights of 20–30 cm, sometimes up to 60 cm. The finely divided leaves display slender, thread-like lobes. Its place in gardens is well-earned by the beauty of its star-shaped flowers, sporting five pointed, heart-shaped petals ranging from blue to white, crowning each stem and its offshoots. The striking center with long stamens is surrounded by layered, two-lipped nectar leaves. Fruit is a capsule filled with black seeds—the plant’s namesake—harvested at their largest before fully mature. The Latin 'Nigella' comes from 'niger,' meaning black. Up to 25 distinct wild Nigella species can be found globally.

Origin and Distribution

Black Cumin originates from southern and southwestern Asia and gained popularity across the Mediterranean and Balkans. Today, it remains a beloved spice in the Middle East, Turkey, and India, and is known throughout Europe (except in the far north), including the Czech Republic.

Usage / Dosage

Thanks to its resilience, Black Cumin is grown almost everywhere, primarily as a decorative garden plant and a valuable spice—notably in curry blends—and also due to its long-standing use in traditional herbal medicine. The seeds of Black Cumin have been used for over 2,000 years. Legend holds that Cleopatra used its oil, and its seeds were found in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Renowned ancient healers such as Avicenna, Dioscorides, Hippocrates, Paracelsus, Mattioli, and Hildegard of Bingen referenced its healing properties, and today it features in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Tibetan medicine.

Powdered seeds are consumed as a water infusion or decoction. Decoction with red wine enhances potency. Both roasted and raw seeds are used as a spice. The most potent way to use Black Cumin is as cold-pressed oil. The small seeds have a pleasantly pungent flavor (a blend reminiscent of onion, poppy seed, and pepper), making them a lighter substitute for black pepper or caraway and a suitable addition to spice mixes like curry. Across the Balkans and Mediterranean regions, Black Cumin flavors everything from bread and cheese to salads—and it is valued for more than just its taste.

Blooms are so attractive they are often grown for their ornamental appeal, and dried flowers and seed capsules are popular in decorative arrangements. All further uses are derived from the mature seeds, which are ground, crushed, cold-pressed, boiled, or roasted. The seeds offer a multitude of health-promoting, therapeutic applications.

Ground Black Cumin seeds have a beneficial effect on the gallbladder, support digestive fluid production, and help relieve bloating. Compounds in Black Cumin soothe smooth muscle, easing stomach cramps, intestinal discomfort, and menstrual pain, while also supporting the treatment of dyspepsia and digestive issues. Other effects include hypotensive (blood pressure-lowering), anticancer, detoxifying (especially during chemotherapy), balancing LDL cholesterol and blood sugar, acting as natural interferons (immune cells), antidepressant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and metabolism-boosting actions.

In vitro studies demonstrate a strong antibacterial effect—notably against Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis, with melanin compounds showing potent inhibitory action against several Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Black Cumin extract demonstrated excellent results in eradicating Helicobacter pylori in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Antifungal efficacy has been widely documented, especially against Candida albicans. Animal models of acute infection showed extract activity when administered within 24 hours. The extract is also effective in local antifungal therapy for dermatophyte strains Trichophyton and Microsporum canis, supporting its folk use for treating superficial and skin fungal infections. Black Cumin seed components exhibited a clear antifungal effect against various yeast species in in vitro analysis.

In vivo models highlight the herb’s significant antioxidant effect when administered regularly over 21 days in animals with chronic arthritis, with positive biochemical, immunological, and histological outcomes. Additional laboratory evidence shows inhibition of oxidative stress and hyperproliferative response in kidney carcinogenesis. Application of Black Cumin extract has been shown to have a protective effect and delay post-ischemic degeneration in the central nervous system.

In diabetic rat models, Black Cumin extract significantly reduces elevated blood glucose levels; combined with carnitine and lipoic acid, it also significantly lowered glucose, C-peptide, and other markers, and increased insulin levels—suggesting it could delay the progression of diabetes mellitus. The extract protects beta-cell mitochondria in the pancreas of diabetic rats, and seed components play a role in the herb’s antihyperglycemic effect by reducing blood glucose and HbA1c levels. Additionally, lower liver enzyme tests and improved parameters were observed in insulin resistance syndrome. In diabetic patients, regular intake of Black Cumin extract increased insulin secretion. In combination with antidiabetic medication, a 2 g daily extract reduced fasting and postprandial glucose and HbA1c in type 2 diabetes patients, suggesting its potential as an adjunct therapy.

Folk Medicine

Black Cumin tea is recommended for coughs, cold, emphysema, bronchitis, and helps with colic, diarrhea, food poisoning, and intestinal parasites. The oil can be applied to skin allergies, eczema, fungal infections, acne, diaper rash, psoriasis, and is effective for gum care, owing to Black Cumin’s antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Folk medicine also uses it for diuretic, antihypertensive, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, analgesic, and antibacterial benefits.

Active Compounds

Black Cumin contains around 100 pharmacologically active compounds, including melanthin, konigelin, alpha-hederin, damascene, thymoquinone, dithymoquinone, p-cymene, carvacrol, 4-terpineol, anethole, longifolene, beta-sitosterol, thymol, alpha-pinene, stearic, palmitic, oleic, linoleic, arachidonic, myristic, and folic acids; the alkaloids nigellicimine, nigellicimine-N-oxide, and pyrazole derivatives. It is also rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B9, D, E, as well as minerals like iron, copper, potassium, zinc, calcium, and phosphorus. Major constituents include the essential fatty acids Omega 3 and 6.

Traditional Dosage

To prepare an infusion, steep 5 g of Black Cumin seeds in 0.5 liter of hot water for about 15 minutes, then strain and sip throughout the day. For hyperacidity and reflux, take a tablespoon of Black Cumin oil with a cup of milk three times daily for 5 days. To create a gum rinse, mix a teaspoon of Black Cumin seeds with 10 drops of vinegar and apply to the gums twice daily. During colds or upper respiratory infections, drink an infusion of Black Cumin along with herbal tea and honey. For asthma or cough, take a Black Cumin infusion in yogurt. For diarrhea, combine ground seeds with boiled rice.