How Much Black Seed Oil to Take Daily
Doses used in studies, translated into teaspoons and capsules.
Key takeaways
- Studies commonly used 1–3 ml (about ¼–½ teaspoon) up to 5 ml (1 teaspoon) daily.
- Start low and take with food.
- There's no official recommended dose.
Doses used in research
Clinical trials have used roughly 1–5 ml of oil or 1–3 grams of seed powder per day, usually for 4–12 weeks.[1]
| Amount | Approximate equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 ml | About ¼ teaspoon |
| 2.5 ml | ½ teaspoon |
| 5 ml | 1 teaspoon |
| 500 mg capsule | About 0.5 ml |
When to take it
Take it with a meal, once or twice a day. Morning or evening doesn't appear to matter.
Who should be careful
- Pregnant women
- People on blood thinners, diabetes or blood pressure medicine
- Before surgery
Frequently asked questions
Can I take black seed oil on an empty stomach?
Some do, but it's more likely to cause stomach upset. Food helps.
Is a tablespoon of black seed oil too much?
A tablespoon (15 ml) is above most study doses. Stick to 1 teaspoon or less unless advised.
The bottom line
Most research used about ¼ to 1 teaspoon of black seed oil daily with food. Follow your product label and start low.
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Sources
- Tavakkoli A, Mahdian V, Razavi BM, Hosseinzadeh H. Review on clinical trials of black seed (Nigella sativa) and its active constituent, thymoquinone. J Pharmacopuncture. 2017;20(3):179-193.
- Ahmad A, Husain A, Mujeeb M, et al. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: a miracle herb. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013;3(5):337-352.