Black seed (Nigella sativa) has a long history of traditional use in Middle Eastern and South Asian medicine for a variety of ailments, including neurological disorders such as epilepsy. In recent years, several scientific studies have explored its anticonvulsant potential. Animal studies have demonstrated that thymoquinone, the primary active constituent of black seed, exhibits significant anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects in rodent models of epilepsy. For example, a 2010 clinical trial involving children with intractable epilepsy found that an aqueous extract of black seed, as an adjunct to standard antiepileptic drugs, significantly reduced seizure frequency compared to placebo. Additional in vitro and animal studies suggest that black seed’s effects may be related to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and GABA-modulating properties.

However, while preliminary clinical and preclinical findings are promising, the quantity and quality of human research remain limited. The existing evidence is not yet robust enough to recommend black seed as a replacement for standard antiepileptic treatments, but it does support further investigation. In summary, black seed is supported by both tradition and emerging scientific research, with a moderate level of scientific evidence for its adjunctive use in epilepsy.