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Bso8.0
Black Seed Oil Research
Likely helpsHigh safety
59 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Black Seed Oil appears to help in 11 of 12 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2005–2026 with a typical study size of 800 participants.
Based on 59 studies · 26 meta-analyses · 5 RCTs · 35,698 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
11helped1unclear· 47 more without graded effect data
2Oxidative stress and inflammationMeta-AnalysisCited 1×n=1,033 · large study2024
Our results showed that THE consumption of N. sativa could be associated with improved oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders.
Hosseini H et al. · Current pharmaceutical biotechnology (2024)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
In addition, SOD: (SMD: 1.35; (95% CI, from 0.77 to 1.93); P = 0.00) and TAC (SMD: 2.82; (95% CI, from 0.55 to 5.084); P = 0.01) levels significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the placebo group.
Our results showed that THE consumption of N. sativa could be associated with improved oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders.
3Body weight reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 11×n=6,171 · very large study2023
We conducted random-effects network meta-analysis with a Frequentist framework to estimate mean difference [MD] and 95% confidence interval [CI] of the effect of nutraceuticals on weight loss.
Shahinfar H et al. · Pharmacological research (2023)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
We conducted random-effects network meta-analysis with a Frequentist framework to estimate mean difference [MD] and 95% confidence interval [CI] of the effect of nutraceuticals on weight loss.
Supplementations with green tea (MD: -1.25 kg, 95%CI: -1.68, -0.82) and glucomannan (MD: -1.36 kg, 95%CI: -2.17, -0.54) demonstrated small weight loss, also the certainty of evidence was rated low.
Based on our findings, supplementations with nutraceuticals can result in a small weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity.
5Global symptoms of dyspepsiaSystematic ReviewCited 10×n=4,477 · very large study2023
Based on moderate to very low-certainty evidence, we identified some herbal medicines that may be effective in improving symptoms of dyspepsia.
Báez G et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2023)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
STW5 (Iberogast) may moderately improve global symptoms of dyspepsia compared with placebo at 28 to 56 days; however, the evidence is very uncertain (MD -2.64, 95% CI -4.39 to -0.90; I2 = 87%; 5 studies, 814 participants; very low CoE).
STW5 may also increase the improvement rate compared to placebo at four to eight weeks' follow-up (RR 1.55, 95% CI 0.98 to 2.47; 2 studies, 324 participants; low CoE).
There was little to no difference in adverse events for STW5 compared to placebo (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.64; I2 = 0%; 4 studies, 786 participants; low CoE).
6Cholesterol levelsMeta-AnalysisCited 17×n=1,386 · large study2021
In addition, minimal evidence was found for any side effects associated with these herbs, positioning them as safe adjuvants to conventional treatments.
Gyawali D et al. · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) (2021)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Meta-analysis of the trials showed that guggulu reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels by 16.78 mg/dL (95% C.I. 13.96 to 2.61; p-value = 0.02) and 18.78 mg/dL (95% C.I. 34.07 to 3.48; p = 0.02), respectively.
Garlic reduced LDL-C by 10.37 mg/dL (95% C.I. -17.58 to -3.16; p-value = 0.005).
Black cumin lowered total cholesterol by 9.28 mg/dL (95% C.I. -17.36, to -1.19, p-value = 0.02).
7Idiopathic male infertility treatmentSystematic ReviewCited 3×n=1,218 · large study2022
Whitania somnifera roots, Alpinia officinarum, Nigella sativa seeds, Tomato, and Ceratonia siliqua and the formulation of Xperm, PHF, Churna Ratnam, Svaguptadi Churna, Y virilin capsule, manix capsule, and Tradafertil tablet revealed successful outcomes in treatment of idiopathic male infertility.
Ahmadian M et al. · Current drug discovery technologies (2022)
Whitania somnifera roots, Alpinia officinarum, Nigella sativa seeds, Tomato, and Ceratonia siliqua and the formulation of Xperm, PHF, Churna Ratnam, Svaguptadi Churna, Y virilin capsule, manix capsule, and Tradafertil tablet revealed successful outcomes in treatment of idiopathic male infertility.
8AST reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 25×n=1,295 · large study2020
Subgroup analysis showed that, an intervention of more than 12 weeks was found to have a reducing effect on aspartate- aminotransferase (AST) measures (2 trials, n = 201 participants, WMD= -11.317;...
Razmpoosh E et al. · Pharmacological research (2020)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Subgroup analysis showed that, an intervention of more than 12 weeks was found to have a reducing effect on aspartate- aminotransferase (AST) measures (2 trials, n = 201 participants, WMD= -11.317; 95 % CI: -15.007, -7.626; P = 0.000; I2 = 0.0 %; P-heterogeneity = 0.977).
Creatinine levels increased significantly in studies that considered adjusted analysis based on covariates (3 trials, n = 152 participants, WMD = 0.070; 95 % CI: 0.027, 0.112 U/L; P = 0.001; I2 = 0.0 %; P-heterogeneity = 0.788).
Longer duration of intervention and normal daily dosages of N.S supplements led to significant reductions in ALP and AST concentrations, respectively, while higher daily dosages increased BUN levels.
10Hypothyroidism signs and symptomsSystematic ReviewCited 3×n=186 · medium study2023
Some herbal remedies, including Nigella sativa L., ashwagandha, and Mentha x Piperita L., can improve the signs and symptoms of primary hypothyroidism, but using a more extensive and advanced methodology will provide us with more complete results.
Javidi N et al. · Current drug discovery technologies (2023)
Likely real
In one study, Nigella sativa L. caused a significant decrease in weight (P=0.004) and body mass index (BMI) (P=0.002).
TSH levels were reported to be decreased and T3 increased in the treatment group (P =0.03) (P=0.008), respectively.
In another study on Nigella sativa L., results did not show a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.02).
11NAFLD treatment effectivenessMeta-AnalysisCited 11×n=358 · medium study2021
High-quality large sample RCTs are necessary to confirm the benefit of NS supplementation for NAFLD.
Tang G et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2021)
Mean differences (MD) or risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.
Six articles from five trails with a total of 358 participants were included.
In summary, this study showed that NS supplementation was effective in the treatment of NAFLD and could improve the levels of ALT, AST, FBS, HDL, and hs-CRP in patients with NAFLD, as well as the severity of NAFLD.
Current evidence supports the use of ginger and turmeric for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes, however, given the high clinical heterogeneity and low quality of the review, our confidence in this finding is somewhat limited.
Li E et al. · BMC complementary medicine and therapies (2025)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Ginger, turmeric, and Jinlida granules significantly decreased HbA1c compared to placebo (mean differences (MD): -0.467%, -0.486%, -0.283%, respectively) with moderate to high certainty evidence.
Current evidence supports the use of ginger and turmeric for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes, however, given the high clinical heterogeneity and low quality of the review, our confidence in this finding is somewhat limited.
Herbal medicines should be used only as an adjunct to conventional treatment, with shared decision-making between clinicians and patients.
13Cardiometabolic indices improvementMeta-AnalysisCited 9×2025
Black seed supplementation appears to significantly improve FBG, HbA1c, TC, and LDL levels in patients with T2DM.
Karimi M et al. · Complementary therapies in medicine (2025)
Black seed supplementation appears to significantly improve FBG, HbA1c, TC, and LDL levels in patients with T2DM.
However, no significant effects were observed on other metabolic parameters, including insulin, TG, liver enzymes, kidney function, or body weight.
These findings suggest that black seed may be a beneficial adjunct therapy for glycemic and lipid control in T2DM patients but require further research to confirm its broader metabolic effects.
14Glycemic status improvementMeta-AnalysisCited 2×n=30 · small study2024
Random effects models were assessed based on the heterogeneity tests, and pooled data were determined as weighted mean differences with a 95 % confidence interval.
Shirvani S et al. · Prostaglandins & other lipid mediators (2024)
Random effects models were assessed based on the heterogeneity tests, and pooled data were determined as weighted mean differences with a 95 % confidence interval.
Finally, a total of 30 studies were found to be eligible for this meta-analysis.
Additional research, featuring extended durations and robust study designs, is necessary to determine the ideal dosage and duration of N. sativa supplementation for achieving a positive impact on glycemic markers.
In conclusion, dietary plant-derived essential oil compounds have potential anti-diabetic effects by influencing different signaling pathways and molecular targets linked to glucose metabolism, and should be safe and beneficial against diabetes and related complications.
Gandhi GR et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2024)
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.
Besides, they can significantly lower the levels of liver enzymes and lipid profile markers.
Moreover, most essential oil compounds are generally safe based on animal studies.
Therefore, there is a great need for further experimental studies to determine whether any nutritional interventions are beneficial in Hashimoto's disease.
Osowiecka K et al. · Nutrients (2023)
These interventions improved antibody levels against peroxidase (anti-TPO), (thyrotropin) TSH, and free thyroxine (fT4).
No improvement was seen on the iodine-restricted diet.
Varied outcomes of analyzed dietary interventions may be due to the heterogeneous thyroid condition, high variability between patients, and differences in habitual intake of critical nutrients (e.g., iodine, selenium, and iron) in different populations.