Black Seed / Nigella sativa

The Basics

What is Black Seed / Nigella sativa?

Sometimes used to treat certain health conditions including asthma, bronchitis, and inflammation, and long been used as a spice and food preservative.

Brand names for Black Seed / Nigella sativa

Na

How Black Seed / Nigella sativa is classified

Complementary Therapies, Phytotherapy, Plants, Medicinal

Black Seed / Nigella sativa During Pregnancy

Black Seed / Nigella sativa pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Black Seed / Nigella sativa while pregnant

N/A

Taking Black Seed / Nigella sativa While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Black Seed / Nigella sativa?

Black seed (Nigella sativa) contains an essential oil containing a wide variety of terpenes, thymoquinone, beta-elemene and other many constituents. Black seed has been used orally as a galactogogue in India and Iran;[1][2][3] however, no scientifically valid clinical trials support this use. Galactogogues should never replace evaluation and counseling on modifiable factors that affect milk production.[4] The oil has also been used topically. No data exist on the excretion of any components of black seed into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of black seed in nursing mothers or infants. Limited information indicates that black seed is generally well tolerated. Black seed oil can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Black seed (Nigella sativa) contains an essential oil containing a wide variety of terpenes, thymoquinone, beta-elemene and other many constituents. Black seed has been used orally as a galactogogue in India and Iran;[1][2][3] however, no scientifically valid clinical trials support this use. Galactogogues should never replace evaluation and counseling on modifiable factors that affect milk production.[4] The oil has also been used topically. No data exist on the excretion of any components of black seed into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of black seed in nursing mothers or infants. Limited information indicates that black seed is generally well tolerated. Black seed oil can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Possible effects of Black Seed / Nigella sativa on milk supply

One hundred fifty-eight mothers in Iran of who reported difficulty in breastfeeding were given either a proprietary mixture of herbs (Shirafza Drop) or a chlorophyll solution as a placebo. The herbal mixture contained the purported galactogogues fennel, anise, cumin, black seed, and parsley. Infant ages ranged between 0 and 6 months and they were exclusively breastfed. Weight gain of the infants was measured over time. No difference in infant weight gain was seen between the two groups of infants.[5] Blinding and randomization in this study is unclear.

Possible alternatives to Black Seed / Nigella sativa

None listed