Black cumin

Black cumin is a buttercup - unlike caraway, which belongs to the umbelliferae. The up to 50 cm high, annual, herbaceous plant originates from the Orient: Egypt and the Near East, including Turkey and Iraq.

Due to the initially bitter, then spicy taste, black cumin is used as a substitute for caraway and pepper and as a bread spice.

Phytotherapeutically, the approximately 3 mm large, brown-black seeds (Semen Nigellae sativae) are used. Cold pressed, the high-quality black cumin oil (Nigellae sativae oleum) is obtained. It is used internally and/or externally. Black cumin is not a drug, but a food supplement, which is why there are no monographs.

ESCOP: Not edited

HMPC: Not edited

Commission E: Not processed

1. https://www.awl.ch/heilpflanzen/nigella_sativa/schwarzkuemmel.htm
2. Aftab A et al (2013) A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed.3: 337-352.
3. https://plants.fnr.de/industrialplants/medicinalplants/plants-database.