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You are here: Home / Immune / Black Cumin for Immunity

Black Cumin for Immunity

August 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment Last Updated: November 20, 2017

Black cumin seed oil may alleviate allergies, asthma, and other conditions caused by an overactive immune system.

Nigella sativa flower. By H. Zell [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Historically used as a spice and medicinal herb, black cumin seems to possess several immunity benefits:

  • Anti-inflammatory activity. Black cumin may help with allergies, asthma, and other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
  • Antipathogenic activity. Black cumin appears to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Overview
  • How Black Cumin Might Help With Immunity
    • Immunomodulatory activity
    • Bronchodilation
  • Black Cumin Uses & Benefits for Immunity
  • Research
    • Animal & Petri Dish Research
    • Human Research
  • Dosage for Immunity
  • Available Forms
  • Supplements in Review Says

Overview

Also known as black caraway, black cumin (Nigella sativa) is a flowering plant found throughout Southwest Asia. Its oil-containing seeds are used as a spice said to have a taste resembling the combination of onions, black peppers, and oregano.

More importantly, black cumin seeds are known for their medicinal properties, and have been used by traditional Arab, Asian, and African medicine to help with a wide range of conditions, including digestive and respiratory problems, headaches, bacterial infections, and as a topical treatment for joint and skin issues.

Modern scientific research has uncovered that black cumin seed oil possesses a number of beneficial effects:

  • Reduction of elevated blood pressure 1
  • Regulation of cholesterol and other lipids 2
  • Anti-inflammatory activity
  • Antiviral and antimicrobial properties
  • Enhancement of the immune response

As a result, N. sativa is increasingly being used as a herbal “cure-all” said to help with many different health issues and improve overall well-being. It is especially popular as an immune booster used to relieve problems associated with an overactive immune system, including asthma, allergies, and autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and

Nigella sativa should not be confused with Bunium bulbocastanum – a different plant that is also referred to as “black cumin”. Unlike N. sativa, B. bulbocastanum does not possess any medicinal qualities.
Black cumin seeds. Image by Joanna Dubaj licensed under CC0 1.0

How Black Cumin Might Help With Immunity

Immunomodulatory activity

Black cumin seed oil has been shown to beneficially affect the immune system in multiple ways:

  • Increasing the count and stimulating the activity of some immune  cell types3
  • Regulating cytokine production, most notably lowering levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines 4
  • Reducing levels of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils that are associated with allergies and other immune problems5

At least some of these effects are mediated by the ability of thymoquinone – the main active ingredient in black cumin seed – to inhibit NF-kappaB, a group of proteins whose malfunction is associated with inflammation and autoimmune disorders. 6

Bronchodilation

Black cumin extracts have been shown to exert a bronchodilating effect, meaning that they expand (dilate) the airways and thus increase airflow and help alleviate asthma. It is not yet clear whether this mechanism of action is independent or tied to black cumin’s anti-inflammatory qualities.

Black Cumin Uses & Benefits for Immunity

As a immunity supplement, black cumin seed oil is mostly used to help with conditions caused by a sensitive, over-active immune system such as allergies and inflammatory or autoimmune disorders. Specific conditions alleviated with black cumin include asthma, allergic rhinitis, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis with early supportive evidence in human trials. There is also some animal research suggesting that black cumin can help with autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Finally, black cumin has also shown the ability to fight viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, especially those considered opportunistic. For example, it has been found to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, a common illness-causing bacterium, as well as Candida albicans, a fungi that can become pathogenic in some cases. 7

Black cumin was discovered in the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, highlighting its long history of use.
Black cumin seeds and oil. Image by gokalpiscan licensed under CC0 1.0

Research

Animal & Petri Dish Research

Cell culture and animal studies – predominantly in mice and guinea pigs – demonstrate that black cumin seed may:

  • Possess antimicrobial and antiviral properties capable of fighting fungi, viruses, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria 8 9 10
  • Reduce inflammation and help with inflammatory and autoimmune disorders such as asthma, allergies, and multiple sclerosis 11 12 13 14
  • Increase total white blood cell count in mice, and enhance immune system function in cases of weakened immunity 15

Human Research

Human studies of black cumin are still few in number, but so far report efficacy in alleviating inflammation and autoimmunity-related conditions such as allergies, asthma, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Black cumin oil (40 – 80 mg/kg) may alleviate allergic conditions

In this investigation, researchers performed four separate clinical studies testing the effects of black cumin on allergic conditions. A total of 152 people with allergies (allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, or atopic eczema) were given Nigella sativa oil (40 – 80 mg/kg body weight) daily. Participants in all four studies reported improvements in allergy symptoms.

  • The researchers concluded that “Black seed oil therefore proved to be an effective adjuvant for the treatment of allergic diseases.“16

Black cumin may help with allergic rhinitis

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 66 people with allergic rhinitis were given placebo or black cumin oil daily for 30 days. The cumin group experienced a reduction in nasal congestion, itching, runny nose, sneezing, and other symptoms for the first 15 days.

  • The researchers concluded that “N. sativa should be considered for treating allergic rhinitis when the effects of other antiallergic drugs need to be avoided.” 17

Black cumin may alleviate asthma

In this placebo-controlled study, 29 people with asthma were given placebo or black cumin seed extract (15 ml/kg body weight) daily for 3 months. Compared to placebo, the cumin group saw improvement of all asthma symptoms, and had to use inhalers and asthma medications less.

  • The researchers concluded that “The results of phase I study generally suggest a prophylactic effect of N. sativa on asthma disease and warrant further research regarding this effect.” 18

Black cumin powder may alleviate Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

This randomized, double-blind study examined the benefits of black cumin for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune thyroid disorder. Forty people with the condition were given placebo or black cumin powder daily for 8 weeks. The N. sativa group saw reductions in body weight and BMI and improvements in thyroid-related measures such as T3 and thyroid stimulating hormone levels.

  • The researchers concluded that “Considering observed health- promoting effect of this medicinal plant in ameliorating the disease severity, it can be regarded as a useful therapeutic approach in management of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.”19

Black cumin (1350 mg oil) may help fight hepatitis C

In this study, 30 people with hepatitis C infection were given N. sativa (1350 mg) daily for 3 months. The supplementation improved viral load (amount of virus in the body), total antioxidant capacity, lower-limb edema, and other health measures.

  • The researchers concluded that “N. sativa administration in patients with HCV was tolerable, safe, decreased viral load, and improved oxidative stress, clinical condition and glycemic control in diabetic patients.” 20

Dosage for Immunity

  • Clinical studies have used different dosing methods, although the most common dosage seems to be anywhere from 1.3 – 8 g of black cumin oil
  • Most black cumin supplements come in the form of seed oil softgels containing 400 – 500 mg oil

Available Forms

  • Ground black cumin seed
  • Cold-pressed black cumin seed oil in softgels or as a liquid
  • Some products are standardized to contain a certain amount of thymoquinone – the main active ingredient

Supplements in Review Says

  • Black cumin seed oil 1 g 1-2 times daily for immunity.

Black cumin may help with inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Early clinical research indicates that black cumin may alleviate allergies, asthma, and other inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. It might also help with some infections, but evidence for these benefits is restricted to animal and petri dish studies.

Research suggests a dose higher than 1 gram. Most successful clinical trials have used doses of over 1 g black cumin seed oil.

Show 20 footnotes

  1. Sahebkar A et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of supplementation with Nigella sativa (black seed) on blood pressure. J Hypertens. 2016 Nov;34(11):2127-35. ↩
  2. Sahebkar A et al. Nigella sativa (black seed) effects on plasma lipid concentrations in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Pharmacol Res. 2016 Apr;106:37-50. ↩
  3. Fararh KM et al. Mechanisms of the hypoglycaemic and immunopotentiating effects of Nigella sativa L. oil in streptozotocin-induced diabetic hamsters. Res Vet Sci. 2004 Oct;77(2):123-9. ↩
  4. El-Obeid A et al. Herbal melanin modulates tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production. Phytomedicine. 2006 May;13(5):324-33. ↩
  5. Abbas AT et al. Effect of dexamethasone and Nigella sativa on peripheral blood eosinophil count, IgG1 and IgG2a, cytokine profiles and lung inflammation in murine model of allergic asthma. Egypt J Immunol. 2005;12(1):95-102. ↩
  6. Mohamed A et al. Thymoquinone inhibits the activation of NF-kappaB in the brain and spinal cord of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Biomed Sci Instrum. 2005;41:388-93. ↩
  7. Ahmad A et al. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013 May; 3(5): 337–352. ↩
  8. Morsi NM. Antimicrobial effect of crude extracts of Nigella sativa on multiple antibiotics-resistant bacteria. Acta Microbiol Pol. 2000;49(1):63-74. ↩
  9. Hanafy MS and Hatem ME. Studies on the antimicrobial activity of Nigella sativa seed (black cumin). J Ethnopharmacol. 1991 Sep;34(2-3):275-8. ↩
  10. Salem ML and Hossain MS. Protective effect of black seed oil from Nigella sativa against murine cytomegalovirus infection. Int J Immunopharmacol. 2000 Sep;22(9):729-40. ↩
  11. Al-Ghamdi MS. The anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity of Nigella sativa. J Ethnopharmacol. 2001 Jun;76(1):45-8. ↩
  12. Mohamed A et al. Amelioration of chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (cr-eae) using thymoquinone – biomed 2009. Biomed Sci Instrum. 2009;45:274-9. ↩
  13. Al-Majed AA et al. Thymoquinone-induced relaxation of guinea-pig isolated trachea. Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 2001;110(5-6):333-45. ↩
  14. Boskabady MH et al. Potential immunomodulation effect of the extract of Nigella sativa on ovalbumin sensitized guinea pigs. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2011 Mar;12(3):201-9. ↩
  15. Ghonime M et al. Evaluation of immunomodulatory effect of three herbal plants growing in Egypt. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2011 Mar;33(1):141-5. ↩
  16. Kalus U et al. Effect of Nigella sativa (black seed) on subjective feeling in patients with allergic diseases. Phytother Res. 2003 Dec;17(10):1209-14. ↩
  17. Nikakhlagh S et al. Herbal treatment of allergic rhinitis: the use of Nigella sativa. Am J Otolaryngol. 2011 Sep-Oct;32(5):402-7. ↩
  18. Boskabady MH et al. The possible prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa seed extract in asthmatic patients. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2007 Oct;21(5):559-66. ↩
  19. Tajmiri S et al. The effects of Nigella sativa on thyroid function, serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) – 1, Nesfatin-1 and anthropometric features in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016; 16: 471. ↩
  20. Barakat EM et al. Effects of Nigella sativa on outcome of hepatitis C in Egypt. World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Apr 28;19(16):2529-36. ↩

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