Traditionally black seed (Nigella sativa) has many uses across the world
History of Black Seed >> Traditional Use of Black Seed
Black seed and black seed oil have medicinal and health promoting properties which have been recognised for thousands of years in many systems of medicine across the world.
Traditional use of black seed and its oil are seen across the globe today, these are modern reflections of knowledge handed down through the ages.
In this article we will look at traditional ways of using black seed oil to treat a number of ailments. These traditional methods for using black seed oil are not backed by any specific piece of evidence.

Traditional use of Black Seed
Asthma (from Middle East and Far East)
Boil some water and add a few drops of black seed oil, deeply inhale the vapors. Rub the black seed oil onto chest and back every night. Daily oral consumption of black seed oil.
Arthritis and Backache (from Middle East and Far East)
Deeply massage black seed oil into the affected joints / area. Daily oral consumption of black seed oil.
Diabetes (from Indo-Pak)
Combine two parts whole black seed, two parts mustard seed, one part dried pomegranate peel and one part fumewort seed. Powder the mixture. Take half a tea spoon daily alongside a teaspoon of black seed oil daily before breakfast.
Diarrhoea (from Middle East and Indo-Pak)
Take a teaspoon of black seed oil mixed with a cup of yoghurt twice daily.
Dry Cough (from Middle East & North Africa)
Massage black seed oil into the chest and back; also take black seed oil mixed in coffee and twice daily.
Rhinitis / Nasal Congestion (from Middle East, Indo-Pak and Far East)
Placing a few drops of black seed oil into each nostril twice daily.
Hair Greying (from Middle East, Indo-Pak and Far East)
Massage black seed oil into hair roots regularly.
Hair Loss (from Middle East and Indo-Pak)
Massage scalp thoroughly with lemon juice and leave for 15 minutes, wash off thoroughly and deeply massage black seed oil into the scalp. Daily oral consumption of black seed oil.
Allergy / Hay Fever (from Middle East)
Take one tablespoon of black seed oil mixed with lemon juice twice daily.
Headaches (General)
Rub the forehead and the sides of the face near the ears with Black Seed Oil and bandage the head. Also a teaspoon of Black Seed Oil should be taken before breakfast.
General maintenance of health (General)
Take one teaspoon of black seed oil mixed with honey twice daily.
Healthy Complexion (General)
Mix black seed oil with olive oil and rub into the face, leave for at least one hour then wash with water.
Hypertension (from Indo-Pak)
Mix any drink with one teaspoon of black seed oil, consume alongside two lobes of garlic every morning with breakfast. Additionally rub body with black seed oil and expose skin to suns rays for half an hour once every three days. Repeat for one month.
Fatigue (Turkey)
Mix one tablespoon of black seed oil with a glass of pure orange juice every morning.
Memory Improvement (Middle East)
Add one teaspoon of black seed oil into an infusion of mint, drink daily for at least 15 days
Muscle aches and pains (General)
Massage the affected area with black seed oil
Nervous tension / anxiety (India)
A teaspoon of black seed oil taken with tea or coffee three times daily
Sexual impotency (Southern Europe and Middle East)
Mix ground black seed, black seed oil, olive oil, frankincense and honey. Mix well and take one table spoon after each meal.
Insomnia (General)
Take one table spoon of black seed oil mixed with honey in the evening.
Toothache and gum disease (General)
Cook black seeds with vinegar, add black seed oil to the mixture and use as a mouth wash.
How do you use black seed oil for acne or skin conditions.
Thank you
Dear Fatima
For acne wash face with warm water and do not dry, then massage black seed oil into your hands and rub all over the affected areas. You need to massage for 1 minute. Then leave for two hours or overnight and wash your face thoroughly as you normally would.
Kind regards
Team @ NabiBlackSeedOil.com
Can black seed cure liver diseases especially liver cancer, and how. Please I need a reply thanks in advance
Hello
Black seed oil has been extensively studies in relation to its effects on the liver with over 100 published papers. It is highly beneficial and has been proven to protect liver cells, improve outcomes in hepatitis C, improve alcohol related liver injury and kill liver cancer cells. See here for a search of the medical literature on Nigella sativa and liver.
I will do a more detailed synopsis on this and let you know when its up.
Team @ NabiBlackseedOil.com
Hello
I have had the oil in honey, but not too keen on this; however, I have put a spoonful of oil into kefir in the morning. Would this be a good way of getting the benefits of taking it as a general health boost?
Dear Yasmine
We recommend the black seed oil be taken before food or with a light meal. I think adding a spoon to kefir (a combination of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts in a matrix of proteins, lipids, and sugars, which form a symbiotic matrix, for those who dont know) sounds like a good way of taking the black seed oil.
Kind regards
Team @ NabiBlackSeedOil.com
Hi,
Does it help with the dark circles under they eyes at all?
And does if help for nerve pain aswell
Kind regards
Dear Moshtak
Very good for nerve pain and inflammatory pain as well. We are not quite sure about bags under eyes, please let us know how you get on.
Kind regards
Team @ NabiBlackSeedOil.com
Salaam,i have male pattern boldness in which i am loosing my hair and have a bold patch i have had all the tests like blood test etc and there all fine whats the best way to cure the issue with black seed oil i have the amson black seed nigella sativa oil
JZK
WS. Ramiz
There are online reports of black seed oil being beneficial for preventing hair loss and encouraging hair growth however it has not been studied formally.
Kind regards
Team @ NabiBlackSeedOil.com
Salaam thanks brother im currenty having near enough a tablespoon every night, from your point of view what will be the best way and how often i should take it thanks
Dear Ramiz
One spoon a night sounds like a decent dose. It will help with a restful sleep when taken before bed or if one wakes at night and cant get back to bed.
Kind regards
Team @ Nabi Blackseed
can black seed oil be used to treat fibroids?
Dear Tamika
There have been no studies specifically looking at black seed oil for fibroids. If it does work for you please let us know.
Kind regards
Team @ NabiBlackseedOil
Hi, how to use it for a 2y.o. child (generally for immune system and to fight with allergic cough)?
Dear Veronica
Black seed oil is safe in children. You can mix a small amount of black seed oil (2.5 ml) in with fruit juice and give in a bottle twice a day.
Kind regards
Team @ NabiBlackSeedOil.com
What about spider veins and varicose veins???
Dear Carole
I don’t think it has ever been tried on those. Would be intrigued to find out the effects if you do try it. Topical application would be the best. I don’t imagine it would have any effects on varicose veins but possibly spider veins.
Kind regards
Team @ NabiBlackSeedOil.com