Black Seed — Safety & Interactions
Hei Zhong Cao · Semen Nigellae
Use with caution. Practitioner review recommended before use.
Contraindications
- Known allergy to black seed or black seed oil
- Use of concentrated oil or extracts in pregnancy without supervision
Cautions
- Memorial Sloan Kettering notes that pure Nigella sativa oil can cause allergic reactions and that high doses caused liver and kidney damage in animal studies.
- MSK also warns that Nigella sativa may increase the risk of side effects from cytochrome P450 substrate drugs, although the clinical relevance is not fully known.
- Food-level culinary use is not equivalent to high-dose oil or extract supplementation.
Drug Interactions
| Drug Class / Substrate | Mechanism | Severity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cytochrome P450 substrate drugs - possible increase in side effects according to MSK | |||
| Antidiabetic medications - theoretical additive glucose-lowering effect | |||
| Antihypertensive medications - theoretical additive blood-pressure-lowering effect | |||
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal medicines, especially if you take prescription medications.