Black Seed (Nigella Sativa): A Comprehensive Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities, and Clinical Applications

Abstract

Black Seed, or Nigella sativa—some people call it black cumin—has a long history in traditional medicine from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. People have turned to it for centuries, but lately, scientists are really digging into what makes it special. Thymoquinone, one of its main active ingredients, stands out for its possible health benefits. This review pulls together what we know so far. It looks at how the plant grows, what’s inside it, what it actually does in the body, what clinical studies have found, and how safe it is. It also touches on where future research might go. The goal? To give researchers and doctors a solid overview if they’re thinking about Nigella sativa as part of modern medical practice.