Black seed oil is a cold-pressed vegetable oil made from the seeds of Nigella sativa, a plant also known as black cumin or nigella. Our 100% black seed oil is pressed straight from these little seeds. In this article we will show you how black seed differs from ordinary caraway, what the oil looks, smells and tastes like, and how to use it on your skin, hair and in the kitchen.
What is black seed (Nigella sativa)?
Black seed is an annual herb native to the Middle East and South Asia, now also grown around the Mediterranean and in herb gardens. It belongs to the buttercup family, a completely different botanical family from the plants it is commonly confused with. Its tiny, black, angular seeds ripen in an inflated pod that slightly resembles a poppy head, and it is from these seeds that the oil discussed in this article is pressed. Besides its botanical name Nigella sativa, you will also meet the names black cumin and nigella, especially in herbal texts. The seeds have a strong, spicy scent, a little like a mix of black pepper and onion, and this scent carries over into the finished oil.
Black seed or caraway? What is the difference
In Slovak, two entirely different plants share the name rasca, and this is the most common source of confusion when people search for this oil online. Caraway is the herb you know from bread, sauerkraut soup or cheese; it belongs to the carrot family, and its seeds are light brown, elongated and slightly curved, with a sweet, aniseed-like scent. Black seed, on the other hand, belongs to the buttercup family, its seeds are tiny, black and angular, and its scent is spicy rather than sweet. The only thing the two plants share is a similar-sounding name, not their botanical origin or their use, and the pressed vegetable oil is in fact only ever sold from the black one, never from caraway. So if you see an oil labelled only with the word rasca and nothing more, it is worth asking which of the two plants it comes from.
| Feature | Black seed (Nigella sativa) | Caraway (Carum carvi) |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Buttercup family | Carrot family |
| Appearance of the seed | Tiny, black, angular | Light brown, elongated, curved |
| Scent and taste | Spicy, slightly peppery | Sweet, aniseed-like |
How the oil is pressed, and its scent, taste and colour
A good oil is made by cold pressing, meaning mechanical pressure on the seeds without any added heat. This way it keeps its natural colour, scent and composition, which would be partly lost with hot pressing. The colour of the oil ranges from dark yellow to amber, sometimes with a hint of brown, and it varies slightly with the origin of the seeds and the particular harvest, much as the taste of fruit changes from season to season. The scent is strong, spicy to peppery, the taste is similar, with a slightly bitter finish that is typical of this oil. If the first drop feels intense, that is not a flaw, it is a natural trait of this ingredient and not a sign of poor quality.
What the oil contains
The composition is the reason so much is written about this ingredient. The oil contains mainly unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic and oleic acid, common components of vegetable oils used in cosmetics and in the kitchen. A characteristic component of the seeds is also thymoquinone, a natural substance mentioned in the specialist literature in connection with Nigella sativa, whose composition is examined by international studies on PubMed. This description concerns only what is naturally found in the plant, not the effect of these substances on the body or skin. The proportions vary with the origin of the seeds and the harvest, so the scent and colour of the oil may differ slightly between batches, even when the pressing method is the same.
How to use it on skin and hair
In cosmetics, this oil is most often applied in a small amount directly to the skin, or mixed with another vegetable oil, such as almond oil, to soften its strong scent. Before using it on a larger area for the first time, it is sensible to test it on a small patch of skin, for example the inner forearm, and wait a few hours.
- On the face: gently massage a few drops into clean skin, on its own or mixed with another carrier oil.
- On hair and scalp: rub a few drops between your palms and massage them into the roots, much as you would with other multifunctional hair oils.
- For massage: mix it with a larger amount of carrier oil so the texture is pleasant to spread.
- Before first use: always test it first on a small patch of skin.
Can you use it in the kitchen too?
Yes, this oil is used in the kitchen, but only cold. It is added, for example, to salads, yoghurt or dressings, or dripped straight onto a finished dish just before serving. Heating it is not recommended, because high temperature changes both the taste and the scent of the oil and spoils its natural composition. Because of its strong flavour, very little is needed, and a few drops can season a whole plate.
How to store it so it does not turn bitter
This oil, like other cold-pressed oils, is sensitive to light, heat and air. Store it in a dark, cool place, ideally in the fridge or at least away from direct sunlight and from the heat of a cooker or radiator. Always close the bottle well right after use so that as little air as possible gets inside. If the oil gradually darkens, turns a more pronounced yellow or starts to smell bitter in a different way than at the start, it is a sign that it has begun to go rancid and it is time to reach for a new bottle. The dark glass packaging in which a good oil is usually sold already protects it from light to some extent.
How to recognise a good oil
When choosing, it is worth looking at a few things right on the label: the pressing method, the packaging and the ingredients. Dark glass protects the contents from light better than a clear bottle. The purest variety contains one hundred percent oil from the seeds with no other ingredients. It is also worth checking the production date, as fresher oil has a more intense scent and taste.
- Cold pressing stated on the label.
- Dark glass packaging.
- Ingredients without unnecessary additives.
- A recent production or best before date.
Black seed oil from Panakeia
We offer 100% black seed oil, which according to the label consists solely of oil pressed from the seeds of this plant, with no other ingredients. If measuring it by the spoonful does not suit you, you will also find the oil in capsules with us. For internal use, always follow only what is written on the label of the particular pack, and do not invent your own dosage. If you are currently taking any medication, discussing the use of the oil with your doctor or pharmacist first is always a wiser step than trying it blindly. You will find the oil in the shop in the organic oils category, and our free Advisor can also help you choose.
Did you know…
Black seed and the caraway you know from bread are not related plants, they only share a similar name.