Botanicals
Black Seed Oil — timing, dose & interactions
Oil or powder from Nigella sativa seeds. Meta-analyses of mostly small trials report modest drops in blood pressure (about 3/3 mmHg) and blood sugar. Rare case reports describe muscle breakdown with kidney and liver injury.
Also known as: Nigella sativa, Black cumin, Kalonji
Timing
When to take it
Take with a meal.
Interactions
Black Seed Oil with other supplements
No documented supplement interactions in our dataset.
Safety
Medications & health conditions
Black seed may lower blood pressure slightly. Meta-analyses report drops of about 3/3 mmHg — small, but it adds to your medication.
Black seed may lower blood sugar. Meta-analyses report lower fasting glucose and HbA1c. Monitor your blood sugar when starting it.
Rare kidney injury reported with black seed oil. Case reports describe muscle breakdown with acute kidney and liver injury after black seed oil. Avoid if your kidneys are impaired.
Concentrated black seed: no safety data in pregnancy. Concentrated black seed has not been studied for safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Avoid unless your clinician recommends it.
Buying guide
What to look for on the label
Black Seed Oil
- Cold-pressed oil standardized for thymoquinone
- Seed powder capsules
FAQ
Common questions
When is the best time to take Black Seed Oil?
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner. Take with a meal.
Should Black Seed Oil be taken with food?
Yes. It is fat-soluble, so take it with a meal that contains some fat.
Sources
References
- 01Kavyani Z et al. Antihypertensive effects of Nigella sativa supplementation: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res 2023.
- 02Jafari A et al. Does Nigella sativa supplementation improve cardiovascular disease risk factors? A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Pharmacol Res 2025.
- 03Sener K et al. Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury after consumption of black seed oil. Toxicon 2024.