In this episode, Dr. Eric Osansky takes a deep dive into black seed oil (Nigella sativa) and its potential role in supporting thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. He explains the differences between whole black seed, powdered black seed, black seed oil, and black seed essential oil, highlighting why these distinctions matter when interpreting the research.
Dr. Eric reviews the available studies, including a clinical trial involving people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis that demonstrated improvements in thyroid markers, thyroid antibodies, and metabolic health. He also discusses the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating properties of Nigella sativa, exploring how these mechanisms may support immune system balance and potentially benefit those with autoimmune conditions. Along the way, he addresses important considerations such as supplement quality, thymoquinone content, product variability, and potential contraindications.
Finally, Dr. Eric offers a balanced perspective on where black seed oil fits into a comprehensive thyroid-healing strategy. While the research is promising, he explains why it isn’t a supplement he routinely recommends to every patient and discusses how it compares to other antioxidant-support supplements. If you want a clearer understanding of black seed oil, the science behind it, and whether it may have a place in your thyroid health journey, you’ll get a lot out of this episode.
Click Here [1] to listen to it on the Save My Thyroid podcast
Dr. Eric Osansky:
Over the years, I’ve received a lot of questions related to black seed oil. I wanted to dedicate a podcast episode to it.
Just to be up front, I am not a black seed oil expert, even though I did write an article back in December 2018 that was comprehensive. I am not a novice, but I had to do some research. I do have some information in front of me based on the research I’ve done.
The purposes of this podcast episode are 1) to discuss whether it can help people with thyroid and especially autoimmune thyroid conditions and 2) to explain the difference between black cumin, black seed, black seed oil, powdered seed.
Black seed oil comes from nigella sativa, which is also called black cumin. There’s what’s called thymoquinone, which is one of its best studied active compounds. When you see nigella sativa, commonly called black seed or black cumin or black caraway, however, black cumin can sometimes refer to a different plant in a culinary context.
If you are purchasing a supplement, you do want to read the label. You always want to read the label. Make sure it says, “nigella sativa.” When it comes to the thyroid and autoimmune thyroid research, the studies are referring specifically to nigella sativa. There is not a lot of studies out there, but we will talk about a couple of them.
Let’s start by talking about the whole seed versus powder versus oil, the different types. There are different preparations. You need to be aware of what the studies show.
Whole black seed is the intact seeds of nigella sativa. They contain fixed oils or fatty acids, volatile oils, fiber, protein, minerals, phytochemicals, including thymoquinone. Whole seeds are commonly used in traditional medicine and cooking.
There is the powdered black seed or ground seed. This simply is the whole seed that has been ground into powder. There is a study out there that involves Hashimoto’s patients that used the powdered seed. It did not use black seed oil. A lot of people take it as a capsule or soft gel, or they might take it in liquid form. This study used the powdered seed. That means that participants in the study consumed the oil fraction, including the fiber, protein, polyphenols, and all naturally occurring seed compounds together.
The reason this is important is because some of the benefits could come from the synergy among the seed components rather than thymoquinone alone. When you take a supplement, the benefit is typically it has higher amounts or concentration of thymoquinone.
I get questions about eating Brazil nuts or taking a selenium supplement. Brazil nuts are higher in selenium. If you are trying to correct a selenium deficiency, you might be better off taking a selenium supplement because you know how much selenium you are getting. You don’t know how much you’re getting in a Brazil nut. There are other benefits in a Brazil nut, like protein, fats, etc. That is the best way to compare right now.
The powdered black seed is close to consuming the whole food, whereas black seed oil is more of a concentrated fat extract. Black seed oil is produced by extracting the oil portion from seeds often through cold pressing, solvent extraction, steam distillation, especially for essential oil fractions. However, it lacks much of the fiber, protein, T matrix, and some water soluble compounds. This is why black seed oil is not identical to powdered seed in either composition or research.
Why does this matter? This matters because the Hashimoto’s study that is usually referred to when it comes to black seed oil does not involve black seed oil. It involves using the powdered seed. Human Hashimoto’s trials used 2g per day of powdered nigella sativa, not black seed oil capsules or liquid oil tinctures or essential oil preparations. As a result, we can’t automatically assume black seed oil produces the same clinical effects observed in the powdered seed study. This doesn’t mean it can’t offer potential benefits.
With powdered seed, the advantage is it had a broader nutrient profile. Similar to eating that Brazil nut compared to taking a selenium supplement. The broader nutrient profile has the fiber, minerals, polyphenols, fat soluble and non-fat soluble constituents. Close to the whole food form. That’s what they used in thyroid research with the Hashimoto’s study.
The potential disadvantages is it has a lower thymoquinone concentration, so less concentrated than taking it in supplement form, like the soft gel or liquid form. As a result, larger doses may be needed. I mentioned the study did use 2g of the powdered form.
Also, taste and texture. I personally have never tried powdered form. Apparently, some people don’t like the taste of it. They are usually mixing it in water or a smoothie, which maybe wouldn’t be as bad.
Black seed oil has some potential advantages. It is more concentrated, so it has higher concentration of lipid soluble compounds, like thymoquinone.
Dosing is easier. Unless we have difficulty swallowing capsules and soft gels, which is the case with some people. Other than that, then you probably might find it easier to take a soft gel than mix a powder into liquid or a liquid oil. I usually do.
Also better absorption of fat-soluble constituents. Definitely improves bioavailability of some of the compounds.
Potential disadvantages of black seed oil. The research does not use black seed oil. The product variability. The thymoquinone content can vary dramatically between products.
You want to be careful when you purchase any supplement. That’s why it’s also a good idea to get supplements whenever you can that are third party tested, so you know what’s on the label is what you are actually taking.
Another disadvantage is it may lack the whole seed synergy because it’s removing fiber and the portions of the original seed matrix.
Also, just a reminder that not all black seed oils are the same. There are different variables, extraction method, cold press versus refined. The thymoquinone concentration.
Oxidation rancidity. With fish oils, that’s why you want to be careful. Some people might go to Costco or Sam’s Club and get a year’s supply of fish oils. You’re saving money, but if they go rancid, if they are higher in oxidation, then not only are you not getting the benefits, but in some cases, it could be harmful.
If you take a probiotic, and what’s on the label is not in the supplement, like it has lower concentration of probiotics, it won’t hurt you. You just won’t get the benefits. If you take rancid fish oils or black cumin, it might actually increase oxidative stress, which is not a good thing.
You want to be careful. That’s why you also don’t want to get these on Amazon. If you do, make sure you get them from the right store. Make sure you can trust the source. Don’t get them randomly from eBay or places like that.
I am referring to the research here I have done. Black seed essential oil, highly concentrated volatile fraction, not equivalent to culinary or supplement oils. Usually not used in the same way as standard black seed oil.
If you get oregano oil, you get oregano oil as an essential oil or a supplement, like a soft gel or tablet. Either way, it’s not exactly the same. You definitely won’t use it the same way. You might take a soft gel or a capsule or tablet in supplement form, whereas in the oil, you will want to mix it with fractionated coconut oil and only use 1-2 drops. Diluting it is important. It might have some of the same benefits, but it’s different.
Most people aren’t using the black seed essential oil, that I know of. When they have questions, it’s usually in supplement form. The cold press black seed oil is the most common supplement form.
Culinary oils. We are not talking about this, but they may vary greatly in purity and concentration.
How can black seed oil potentially benefit Hashimoto’s and Graves’? Even this study that focuses on Hashimoto’s, it seems like it’s more related to the antioxidant properties, not the direct effects it has on the hormone.
Some might look at that journal article and see that it benefited people with Hashimoto’s and automatically think you want to avoid it if you have Graves’. That is not necessarily the case.
The way it could benefit people with autoimmune conditions is by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. It has been shown to reduce inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress and Influence regulatory T cells.
I have spoken about these in the past. Regulatory T cells help to keep autoimmunity in check. You want an abundance of them. It might reduce NF kappa B, which is involved in inflammation.
This specific study involving Hashimoto’s was an eight-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 40 Hashimoto’s patients. Smaller study. As I mentioned earlier, it used 2g per day of powdered nigella sativa, not specifically black seed oil.
The outcomes include decreased TSH, which if you have Hashimoto’s, you usually have higher TSH; decreased anti-TPOs; increased T3. It increased T3 by reducing the oxidative stress and TPO antibodies. It also resulted in reductions in weight, BMI, waist circumference.
The article I wrote was titled, “Can Black Seed Oil Help with Hashimoto’s and Graves’?” That was released in December 2018.
When it comes to Graves’, there is not a comparable study looking at how it works in Graves’. My guess is it probably would have similar results, not with increasing T3, but reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. As a result, probably it would help with hyperthyroidism.
There is an animal study that is relevant to hyperthyroidism, but it is an animal study. It is a rat study that used nigella sativa. It used an essential oil in both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid models. The study suggested potential benefit for thyroid hormone abnormalities and oxidative stress. It emphasized that animal hyperthyroidism models are not the same as human Graves’, which is true.
It said, “Our findings suggest that nigella sativa may have beneficial effects on thyroid gland abnormalities, owing to its antioxidant properties.” It’s not directly impacting the thyroid necessarily, but helping to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, which can potentially benefit people with Graves’ and Hashimoto’s.
If you look at the article I wrote in 2018, I also discuss other benefits. Black seed or cumin has antimicrobial activity. Viruses, too. There are some studies showing it can help with COVID. Blood sugar support, lipid effects. It could help lower LDL, triglycerides. It could increase HDL. I mentioned antioxidant effects. Liver support.
I already mentioned powdered versus seed oil. Human trials with Hashimoto’s used powdered seed, not black seed oil in supplement form. Thymoquinone concentration differences.
Some potential contraindications. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are taking blood thinning medication. I am not recommending for people to take it. That is not the purpose here. I am educating people on the potential benefits of black seed. I always recommend to work with a practitioner.
The bottom line here is the evidence is more promising for Hashimoto’s. Even with that, it’s just that single study involving 40 people. There is no specific study for humans involving Graves’. Since it can reduce oxidative stress, it could make sense for it to benefit people with both conditions.
That being said, I typically don’t recommend black seed to my patients. It’s not because I don’t think it can be beneficial. Quite frankly, I take it. I don’t take it every day. I take what’s called a Annatto-E Synergy from the company Designs for Health. It does have nigella sativa. It is third party verified. It is on my site, SaveMyThyroid.com/BlackSeedOil. First of all, I don’t take it religiously. The dose is two soft gels. I can’t say I always take two.
The reason I don’t recommend it to all my patients is because there are other priorities. When it comes to supplements, I am not shy about recommending them. At the same time, I don’t want people taking dozens of supplements just for the sake of taking them. There are a lot of supplements that can be beneficial. Black seed can be. At the same time, it’s not like we can have a black seed deficiency. There are other supplements that I usually prioritize.
If you’re someone who has worked with me, and are wondering, “You’re taking it, but you didn’t recommend it for me,” when I dealt with Graves’, I did not take it. Over the last few years, I added it to the supplements I’m taking. I rotate it. Maybe I take it a few days a week. I usually take one soft gel.
Should I take it every day? I don’t know. Should I not take it at all? I don’t know. That’s what I do. This doesn’t mean you should do this.
Hopefully, you have a better understanding about what it is. Whether or not you choose to take it, up to you. At least you’re familiar with some of the research. Feel free to do your own research. Read some journal articles. Read my article on NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com.
***
Should you take black seed powder or black seed oil? I mentioned how on a wellness basis, I take black seed oil. I take Annatto-E Synergy from Designs for Health.
The study on Hashimoto’s showed it was the actual powder. Another study used essential oil. There are no thyroid related studies that involved taking black seed oil in capsule form, even though that’s how most people take it.
It really is up to you if you decide to take it. Once again, I am not recommending to take it or not. As I mentioned, it’s not something I usually have people I work with take. I don’t have everyone across the board take this.
If you want to do what they did in the study, then it makes sense to take black seed powder. I honestly haven’t done research on companies that have black seed powder. You would have to do that. Keep in mind that the Hashimoto’s study did use black seed powder, not the black seed oil supplements. The whole black seed was ground into powder.
Black seed oil versus other antioxidant supplements. For example, one of my favorite antioxidants is NAC. I commonly give it. Alpha lipoic acid or liposomal glutathione. Those are usually priorities over black seed oil. That is my approach with supplementation.
It’s not like someone can’t take NAC and black seed oil or liposomal glutathione and black seed oil. They can do both. I don’t really know if they actually need to take both.
As I mentioned, you can’t have a black seed deficiency. You can have a glutathione deficiency, for example. NAC is made from different amino acids, including cysteine and glycine. Definitely is different if you choose to take other antioxidant supplements.
Can black seed oil benefit those with non-autoimmune thyroid conditions, like multinodular goiter or subacute thyroiditis? There are no studies showing this, but it’s not like oxidative stress is exclusive to those with autoimmune conditions.
Once again, I don’t recommend it across the board to those with Graves’ and Hashimoto’s, let alone those with non-autoimmune thyroid conditions. Potentially, it could. There are also other benefits, so you might want to read my article. Even though it’s from 2018, it’s still relevant.
Finally, something I didn’t address that you might be wondering. How long can you safely take black seed oil? There is not a lot of research here. If you do some searching online, it might say three months max.
It does seem to be well tolerated. You definitely could monitor your liver enzymes and kidney markers, doing a comprehensive metabolic panel every couple months. If things are looking good, then you might be able to go beyond three months. Like I said, I am not specifically giving recommendations here.
It seems like it’s more for precautionary measures if you see where they say not to take it for longer than three months. Some people could have GI effects from any supplement.
Overall, it seems to be pretty safe. I have been taking it for probably a few years, but I don’t take it consistently. I might take one soft gel 2-3 days a week. It seems like that is fine. I test my liver numbers at least once a year. I do a CBC and CMP and lipid panel and other panels. It doesn’t seem like the black cumin is having a negative effect. I also take other supplements, not just black cumin. All those typically look good.
Those are the main things I wanted to discuss here. If there are any questions, every now and then, I do have a Q&A call. Let me know if you have more. I am not an expert on black cumin, even though I did write an article years ago. If I don’t know the answers to your questions, I will do additional research.
Thanks so much for listening. Look forward to catching you in a future episode.