Black seed

Black seed (Nigella sativa) is one of the most evidence-backed supplements in the database. A-GRADE for allergy symptoms (3 RCTs, 257 participants, moderate improvement). B-GRADE for blood glucose (29 RCTs, 3679 participants), blood pressure (22 RCTs, 1527 participants), and C-reactive protein (11 RCTs, 727 participants). Thymoquinone is the primary active compound. Traditional Islamic medicine ('the cure for everything except death'). Extensive human research supports benefits for metabolic and inflammatory conditions. Generally safe with few drug interactions.

Quick Answer

What it is

Black seed (Nigella sativa) is one of the most evidence-backed supplements in the database. A-GRADE for allergy symptoms (3 RCTs, 257 participants, moderate improvement).

Key findings

  • Grade A: Allergy Symptoms (Allergic Rhinitis (Seasonal Allergies / Hay Fever))
  • Grade B: Blood glucose
  • Grade B: Blood Pressure

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Black seed

Quick Facts: Black seed

  • Best Evidence:Grade A
  • Conditions Studied:18
  • Research Outcomes:111
  • Grade A Findings:1
  • Grade B Findings:7
  • Key Effect:Allergic Rhinitis (Seasonal Allergies / Hay Fever)
Outcomes by grade:
A1
B7
C6
D4
18 conditions Β· 111 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
A
Allergy Symptoms
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
C
Asthma Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Cortisol
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Immunity
↑Improves
?
Nasal Congestion
1 study
↑Improves
B
Blood glucose
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
B
Blood Pressure
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
B
Blood Pressure
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Heart Rate
↑Worsens
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
↑Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↑Worsens
?
Proteinuria
1 study
↑Improves
?
Serum Albumin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Uric Acid
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Weight
1 study
↑Worsens
B
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Small Decrease
small↓Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
12 studies
↑Worsens
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
9 studies
↑Improves
?
Superoxide Dismutase Activity
7 studies
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
6 studies
↑Worsens
?
Interleukin 6
3 studies
↑Worsens
B
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Small Decrease
small↓Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
12 studies
↑Worsens
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
9 studies
↑Improves
?
Superoxide Dismutase Activity
7 studies
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
6 studies
↑Worsens
?
Interleukin 6
3 studies
↑Worsens
B
Blood glucose
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
12 studies
↑Worsens
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
9 studies
↑Improves
?
HbA1c
7 studies
↑Worsens
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↑Worsens
?
Superoxide Dismutase Activity
7 studies
↑Improves
?
Triglycerides
7 studies
↑Worsens
?
TNF-Alpha
6 studies
↑Worsens
?
Total cholesterol
↑Worsens
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
5 studies
↑Worsens
?
Insulin
5 studies
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
5 studies
↑Worsens
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↑Worsens
?
Interleukin 6
3 studies
↑Worsens
B
Blood glucose
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
12 studies
↑Worsens
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↑Worsens
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
9 studies
↑Improves
?
Superoxide Dismutase Activity
7 studies
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
6 studies
↑Worsens
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
5 studies
↑Worsens
?
Total cholesterol
↑Worsens
?
HbA1c
3 studies
↑Worsens
?
Interleukin 6
3 studies
↑Worsens
C
Allergy Symptoms
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
?
Asthma Symptoms
↑Worsens
?
Lung Function
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↑Worsens
?
Total cholesterol
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↑Worsens
C
Pain
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
1 study
↑Worsens
C
Attention
Small Improvement
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Bilirubin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Blood Pressure
↑Worsens
?
Cognition
1 study
↑Improves
?
Kidney Function
1 study
↑Improves
?
Memory
1 study
↑Improves
?
Processing Accuracy
1 study
↑Improves
?
Processing Speed
1 study
↑Improves
?
Working Memory
1 study
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↑Worsens
?
Food Intake
1 study
↑Worsens
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
↑Improves
?
Kidney Function
1 study
↑Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↑Worsens
?
Total cholesterol
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Weight
1 study
↑Worsens
D
Bone turnover markers
No effect
2 studies
none
?
Bone-specific Alkaline Phosphatase
↑Improves
D
Adiponectin
No effect
1 study
none
D
Adiponectin
No effect
1 study
none
?
Appetite
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Blood Pressure
↑Worsens
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↑Worsens
?
Free Testosterone
1 study
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
↑Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↑Worsens
?
Total cholesterol
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Uric Acid
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Weight
1 study
↑Worsens
D
Bilirubin
No effect
1 study
none
?
Blood glucose
↑Worsens
?
HCV Viral Load
1 study
↑Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Red Blood Cell Count
↑Improves
?
Serum Albumin
1 study
↑Improves
?
White Blood Cell Count
1 study
↑Improves
?
Vascular Function
↑Improves
?
Seizure Frequency
↑Worsens
?
Lung Function
↑Improves

Evidence by Condition

Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)

AAllergic Rhinitis (Seasonal Allergies / Hay Fever)
1
↓Allergy SymptomsImproves↓Asthma SymptomsImproves↑CortisolWorsens
BType 2 Diabetes
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↑Oxidative Stress BiomarkersWorsens↑Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)Improves
BMetabolic Syndrome
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↑Oxidative Stress BiomarkersWorsens↑C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Worsens
BHigh Blood Pressure
1
↓Blood PressureImproves↑Heart RateWorsens↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves
BChronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
1
↓C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves↑Oxidative Stress BiomarkersWorsens↑Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)Improves
BNonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
1
↓C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves↑Oxidative Stress BiomarkersWorsens↑Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)Improves
CAsthma
1
↓Allergy SymptomsImproves↑Asthma SymptomsWorsens↑Lung FunctionImproves
CHigh Cholesterol
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves↑Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Worsens
CRheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
1
↓PainImproves↑Rheumatoid Arthritis SymptomsWorsens
CCognitive Improvement
1
↑AttentionImproves↑BilirubinWorsens↑Blood PressureWorsens
CWeight Loss & Maintenance
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↑Blood PressureWorsens↑Food IntakeWorsens
DMetabolic Health
1
Adiponectin
DBone Health
1
Bone turnover markers↑Bone-specific Alkaline PhosphataseImproves
DObesity
1
Adiponectin↑AppetiteWorsens↑Blood PressureWorsens
DHepatitis C
1
Bilirubin↑Blood glucoseWorsens↑HCV Viral LoadImproves

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