Evidence supporting the use of: Black seed
For the health condition: Influenza
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Black seed (Nigella sativa) has a long history of traditional use in various cultures, particularly in Middle Eastern and South Asian medicine, for supporting immune health and addressing symptoms of respiratory infections, including influenza. Traditional practitioners have valued black seed oil for its purported ability to "strengthen the body" and "fight off colds and flu." The main bioactive compound, thymoquinone, is thought to contribute to these effects. However, while there are preclinical studies suggesting anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and some antiviral properties of black seed extracts, direct scientific evidence specifically supporting its use for treating or preventing influenza in humans is limited. Most of the available research is either in vitro (test tube) or in animal models, showing potential inhibitory effects on certain viruses and positive modulation of immune responses. To date, there are no high-quality human clinical trials confirming efficacy against influenza specifically. Therefore, the use of black seed for influenza is primarily justified by tradition, with only modest preclinical scientific support and a lack of rigorous human studies.
Other ingredients used for Influenza
Abies spectabilisAcacia
Adenophora
Agarikon Mushroom
Agastache
Agrimony
AHCC
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
alpinia galangal
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
Anamarrhena
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
anemarrhena asphodeloides
apple cider vinegar
Asarum sieboldii
astragaloside
astragalus
avens
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
balloon flower
balsam
Basidiomycota
bee propolis
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black garlic
Black Hellebore
black pepper
black seed
boneset
borage
Bryonia
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
camu camu
carvacrol
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
Centipeda
Chaenomeles lagenaria
chaga mushroom
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cineole
Cistus
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut oil
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
coriolus mushroom
currant
dog rose
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
elk antler
Embelia
Ephedra
eucalyptus
Euphorbia
European Elder
fat liver oil
flavanones
flavones
flowering quince
frankincense
Gallesia
ganoderma
ginger
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhizin
goldenseal
gooseberry
Greek mountain tea
green chiretta
green tea
Guaco
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
Houttuynia
Hyperoside
Immunoglobulin G
Indian frankincense
iridoids
L-cysteine
labrador tea
Lactobacillus casei
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Ledebouriella
Lentinula edodes mycelia
lichen
licorice root
little ironweed
liverwort
Lomatium
Lycium
Lycopodium
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Monolaurin
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Neoandrographolides
Nettle
Onosma bracteatum
Osthole
Pelargonium
Pentatropis capensis
Platycodon
Polygonatum
Polygonum
Premna
quercetin
ravinsara
reishi mushroom
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
selenium
Shikimic Acid
spirulina
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sundew
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweet wormwood
Tremella
turmeric
Umckaloabo
Vasicine
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin C
vitamin D
Xanthophyll
Yerba santa
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by black seed
AcneAllergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Blood Poisoning
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Congestive Heart Failure
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Epilepsy
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Influenza
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Malaria
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Migraine
Nausea and Vomiting
