Black Seed Oil Drops

Black seed, or Nigella sativa, is an annual plant with grayish-blue flowers. The pods of the plant contain black seeds that possess immense medicinal value. The seeds contain fixed oils, essential oils and chemicals, such as thymoquinone, which help treat a variety of conditions including gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension, diabetes, bronchitis, fever and dizziness. The supplements are available as capsules, oils and oil blends. The dose and form of the herb depends on the age of the patient and the condition being treated.

Black Seed Oil and Cancer

Thymoquinone found in black seed oil can lead to programmed cell death of human colorectal cancer cells in the laboratory, according to a study published in the October 2004 issue of the "International Journal of Oncology." Another study in the September 2006 issue of the journal "Experimental Oncology" also indicates that thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone exhibit significant anti-tumor activity on cancer cells in the laboratory. Thymoquinone is a powerful antioxidant that also may protect the tissues from radiation injury, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It also inhibits DNA synthesis and causes programmed celled death of stomach cancer cells in animal models.
Side Effects

The side effects of black seed oil supplements have not been well documented. Some animal studies, according to MSKCC, reveal that the herb may cause changes in the liver and damage the kidney and liver. It may also lead to low-key toxicity and occasional skin rash.