Organic Black Cumin Seed Oil / Karunjeeragam oil / Jeera – Antioxidant Support – 120 ml (4 fl oz)

For oral use, the standard dose used in most clinical studies is 1 teaspoon (approximately 5 ml) per day. An 8-week clinical trial on healthy volunteers at this dose found no notable adverse effects on liver, kidney, or gastrointestinal function. Another study on type 2 diabetes patients using a similar dose for 40 days showed reasonable safety on both kidney and liver markers. Most traditional practitioners recommend taking it for 8–12 weeks, then reassessing. While many people take black seed oil continuously for months, it’s wise to consult your healthcare provider for extended use beyond 12 weeks, especially if you’re on medication. Start with half a teaspoon for the first few days to gauge your body’s response — some people experience mild digestive warmth initially, which typically subsides. The oil is most potent taken on an empty stomach in the morning.

Thymoquinone — the primary active compound — is sensitive to high heat. If you cook with this oil at high temperatures (frying, sautéing), you’ll lose a significant portion of its therapeutic value. That’s why we recommend using it as a finishing oil: drizzle it over cooked dishes, stir it into warm (not boiling) soups, add it to salad dressings, or mix it into hummus and dips after they’re prepared. It has a distinctive, sharp, slightly bitter flavour that adds beautiful depth to Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisine. For actual cooking at high heat, use a heat-stable oil like Moolihai’s Organic Cow Ghee, and then add the black cumin seed oil at the table for flavour and health benefits.

Yes — while black cumin seed oil is generally safe at recommended doses, there are important interactions to consider. Research has shown that thymoquinone may inhibit certain cytochrome P450 enzymes, which are responsible for metabolising many prescription drugs. If you’re taking blood-thinning medications (warfarin, aspirin), blood pressure medications, diabetes medications (metformin, insulin), or immunosuppressants, consult your doctor before adding black cumin seed oil to your routine, as it may amplify or interfere with these drugs’ effects. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid supplemental doses (culinary amounts are generally considered safe) due to insufficient clinical safety data. People scheduled for surgery should discontinue use at least 2 weeks beforehand due to potential effects on blood clotting and blood pressure.

Cold-pressing means the oil is extracted by mechanically pressing the seeds at low temperatures — without the use of chemical solvents (like hexane) or high heat. This matters enormously for Nigella sativa oil because thymoquinone is heat-sensitive and degrades at high temperatures. Commercially cheap black seed oils are often extracted using solvent methods or high-temperature pressing, which yields more oil per batch but destroys a significant portion of the thymoquinone and other volatile bioactive compounds. Research has found that thymoquinone content varies over 250-fold across commercial products — from as low as 3 mg to over 800 mg per 100g of oil. Cold-pressing preserves the full spectrum of active compounds, which is why Moolihai’s oil has that strong, characteristically pungent taste — that intensity is the thymoquinone. If your black seed oil tastes mild and bland, it’s likely been heat-processed or diluted.

Yes, for most skin types, daily facial use is safe and beneficial. Start by patch testing on your inner wrist for 24 hours. If no irritation occurs, apply 2–3 drops to clean skin at night as a serum — it absorbs well and won’t clog pores for most people. A 60-day clinical trial using a Nigella sativa topical preparation found a 78% reduction in acne severity with no adverse events. For dry skin, the essential fatty acids provide deep hydration. For oily or acne-prone skin, the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties help control breakouts without stripping the skin. If you have very sensitive or reactive skin, dilute it with a carrier oil like Moolihai’s Moringa Oil (a lighter, gentle carrier) at a 1:1 ratio for the first week. For a complete topical skincare ritual, try combining it with Moolihai’s Thanaka Powder (a traditional skin-brightening agent) in a face mask once or twice a week.