# Black seed (Nigella sativa) and thymoquinone

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/nigella-sativa-black-seed/  
OnCo record `nigella-sativa-black-seed` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

Black seed is a cooking spice and traditional remedy, also promoted against cancer. Small trials found that the seeds lowered fever with low white cells in children with brain cancers and that a gel reduced radiation skin reactions in breast cancer, but larger studies are needed. High doses may harm the liver, and it may weaken warfarin.

## Summary

Nigella sativa seeds, known as black seed or black cumin, are used in cooking and in traditional medicine for inflammation, infections and cancer. Memorial Sloan Kettering's About Herbs summary cites small clinical trials for asthma, allergy, dyspepsia, diabetes and fatty liver, and anticancer effects of thymoquinone in the laboratory. In cancer care, oral seeds lowered the incidence of febrile neutropenia and shortened hospital stay in children with brain tumours, and a topical gel decreased the severity of acute radiation dermatitis in women with breast cancer; MSK says larger studies are needed. Contact dermatitis and a case of eosinophilia with systemic symptoms after topical oil are reported, and high doses may cause liver damage, with human data lacking. Black seed inhibits CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 in vitro and thymoquinone inhibited warfarin activity, both of unknown clinical significance.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: phase-2
- Last checked: 2026-11-04
- Also known as: Black cumin; Black seed oil
- Tags: complementary; supportive-care; evidence:insufficient
- Principle: Thymoquinone is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic in cancer cell lines.
- Strengths: Small trials in children with brain tumours and in radiation dermatitis
- Limitations: Trials small and need replication; Possible liver toxicity at high doses; Possible enzyme and warfarin interactions

## Sources

- MSK About Herbs: Nigella sativa (page last updated 10 August 2023): https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/nigella-sativa

## Connected records

- technologies: [Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis)](https://onco.cc/technologies/scutellaria-baicalensis/), [Bitter melon (Momordica charantia)](https://onco.cc/technologies/bitter-melon/), [Dietary supplements during cancer treatment: interactions and harms](https://onco.cc/technologies/dietary-supplements-treatment-interactions/), [Evidence-based integrative oncology](https://onco.cc/technologies/integrative-oncology/)
- fronts: [Diet, Exercise & Lifestyle](https://onco.cc/fronts/nutrition-lifestyle/), [Supportive Care & Survivorship](https://onco.cc/fronts/supportive-care/)
- bottlenecks: [Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued](https://onco.cc/bottlenecks/b-toxicity-qol/)

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