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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Andrographis vs Black Seed Oil: Black Seed Oil has the stronger overall evidence (6.5 vs 7/10); they're alternatives for support immune system — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Black Seed Oil wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Likely helps
3 of 4 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Likely helps
10 of 11 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both Andrographis and Black Seed Oil have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
400mg extract (standardized to 10-30% andrographolides), 3x daily for acute use
At first sign of cold symptoms, With meals
Standardized extract (10-30% andrographolides)
1-3g oil (or 200-400mg thymoquinone) (a typical label dose, the cited trials do not state a fixed daily dose)
With meals
Cold-pressed oil softgels
2-5 days
2-5 days
2-5 days
4-8 weeks
4-8 weeks
8-12 weeks
Herbal Medicines for the Treatment of Active Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nutrients (2024) · Meta analysis
In pooled analyses, when compared with placebo, clinical response rates were significantly higher for Indigo naturalis (IN) (RR 3.70, 95% CI 1.97-6.95), but not for Curcuma longa (CL) (RR 1.60, 95% CI 0.99-2.58) or Andrographis paniculata (AP) (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.71-1.26).
Safety of Andrographis paniculata: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety (2021) · Meta analysis
Incidence of serious AEs was very rare with the pooled incidence (95% CI) from RCTs of 0.02 per 1000 patients (0.0-0.5).
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of Andrographis paniculata standardized extract (ParActin®) on pain reduction in subjects with knee osteoarthritis
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2019) · Rct · n=103
Patients treated with 300 or 600 mg/day of ParActin® showed a significant reduction in pain at days 28, 56, and 84 compared with a placebo group.
Does Nigella sativa supplementation improve cardiovascular disease risk factors? A comprehensive GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of 82 randomized controlled trials
Pharmacological research (2025) · Meta analysis · n=5026
GRADE-assessed meta-analysis of 82 studies (79 quantitative) in 5,026 participants, with Nigella sativa doses from 200 to 4,600 mg a day for 1 to 48 weeks.
A systematic review on anti-diabetic plant essential oil compounds: Dietary sources, effects, molecular mechanisms, and safety
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2024) · Systematic review
They can also significantly inhibit the generation of TBARS and MDA, reduce oxidative stress, increase insulin levels, adiponectin, and glycoprotein enzymes, boost antioxidant enzymes like SOD, CAT, and GPx, as well as reduce glutathione and vital glycolytic enzymes.
Effect of Nigella sativa Intake on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Current pharmaceutical biotechnology (2024) · Meta analysis · n=1033
Meta-analysis of 16 RCTs in 1,033 people with metabolic syndrome and related disorders.
Two placebo-controlled trials of the same standardised extract (KalmCold, also sold as AP-Bio). At 200 mg a day, 223 adults with an uncomplicated upper respiratory infection had lower overall symptom scores than placebo by day 5 (PMID 20092985). In a 300-person trial of 200 or 400 mg a day for 7 days, both doses lowered symptom scores on day 3 by the same amount, with no difference on days 5 and 7, and no participant reported adverse physical symptoms (PMID 36842634). 400 mg was no better than 200 mg, so the curve is flat and no optimal dose is given. The respiratory infection meta-analysis (PMID 28783743) reports symptom benefits but no doses, so it is not plotted.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Black Seed Oil has a higher evidence score (6.5/10 vs 7/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
For support immune system, Andrographis has a higher relevance score (90 vs 20).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.