Few ingredients feel as familiar in our region as habbat al-barakah. A drizzle of the oil, a few seeds on warm bread, a bottle passed down the family. Here is what we know about it, simply and honestly.
In one line
Black seed oil is a plant ingredient pressed from the seeds of Nigella sativa. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and is a source of vitamin E, which contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Tradition is generous with it; science is still catching up, so we prefer to say what it is rather than promise what it does.
What is inside
A good black seed oil is naturally rich in unsaturated fatty acids, mainly omega 6 and omega 9, and brings vitamin E. It also contains thymoquinone, the most abundant active compound in the seed and the one researchers study most closely. Many studies on black seed are small or early, which is why you will not read big promises from us.
In the kitchen and on the skin
Its taste is intense, peppery, warm and slightly bitter. Drizzle it on salads, hummus or labneh, or stir a little into honey; it is best kept away from high heat. On the skin, black seed oil has been used across the region for generations, often in soaps and balms, including for blemish prone skin. If you apply the oil itself, try a small area first, as it can be strong for sensitive skin, and avoid the eye area.
Across the region, black seed has been valued for generations, at the table and in family traditions of care. Researchers are now studying thymoquinone in many areas; results so far are early.
How to choose a good one
Look for an oil that is cold pressed, from the first pressing and unrefined, ideally organic and in a dark glass bottle that protects it from light. A good oil smells and tastes of the seed: if it is bland, it has probably been refined. Keep it closed, away from heat and sunlight.
Where we come in
Our Habbat al-Barakah Oil is organic, first cold pressed and unrefined, from Egyptian Nigella sativa seeds. For the skin, the Habbat Al Barakah Cleansing Soap is a cold process soap with about 15% black seed oil, for face and body. And for those who prefer a capsule, Habbat al-Barakah Skin and Habbat al-Barakah Menopause bring a black seed extract with 20 mg of thymoquinone per capsule. Everything is in our L'Officine du Monde collection.
Your questions
How much can I take?
As a food, a little in your meals is enough. For capsules, follow the label and do not combine several black seed products without advice.
Can I use it during pregnancy?
Please ask your doctor first, during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The same applies if you take regular medication.
Oil or seeds?
Both have a place in the kitchen. The oil is more concentrated, the seeds add texture and flavour to bread and dishes.
Written with care by Banat Nareng. It does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Sources: published reviews on Nigella sativa (PubMed Central, ScienceDirect).
