I was pleasantly surprised to learn about some recent research on the positive effects of black cumin seed oil and Hashimoto’s disease. I’m always searching for compounds that can help my patients with Hashimoto’s disease and black cumin seed oil looks like a real winner.  In this article I break down two promising studies on black cumin seed oil and how it can help autoimmune thyroiditis.

What is Black Cumin Seed?

Black cumin seed is also known as Nigella sativa which is a medicinal plant and the seeds have been used in traditional and folk medicine in the Middle East for centuries. Black cumin seeds are used mainly in Iranian, Pakistani and Northern Indian cuisines. Black cumin seeds contain compounds that have the following properties:

Anti-inflammatory

Antioxidant

Immune balancing

Enhanced blood sugar metabolism thus improving insulin resistance

Anti-cancer

Kidney protective

Decreases pain (Analgesic)

Liver protective

Bronchodilator

Antihistamine

Antimicrobial against bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi

Breaks down biofilms and prevents biofilm formation

Gastroprotective

Cholesterol-lowering

Cardioprotective

Hypoglycemic

Hypotensive

Improves memory

Supports a healthy microbiome

Reduces lung inflammation

Specific chronic diseases that black cumin seed has been shown to improve include:

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

High cholesterol

Coronary artery disease

High blood pressure

Gastritis

Obesity

Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Urinary tract disorders

Asthma

Encephalomyelitis

Neurodegenerative disorders

Hair loss (alopecia)

Eczema

Bronchitis

Rheumatism

Rheumatoid arthritis

Indigestion

Loss of appetite

Diarrhea

Male infertility

Pain

Convulsions

Depression

Allergies

What did the latest research show on Hashimoto’s disease?

40 patients were split into two groups of 20 receiving black cumin seed and 20 receiving a placebo. 2 grams a day of black cumin seed powder was taken for 8 weeks.

What improved at the end of the 8 week study period in those who took black cumin seed?

Body Mass Index (BMI) improved

Waist circumference improved

Hip circumference improved

TSH decreased indicating improved thyroid function

T3 increased which is the most active form of thyroid hormone

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO) decreased

None of the above measurements improved in the placebo group who just took a starch pill. This clearly indicates the black cumin seed had a profound effect on weight loss, metabolism, thyroid function and improvement in the Hashimoto’s antibody thyroid peroxidase (TPO).

What is it that resulted in such excellent improvements?

Black cumin seeds contain a compound called thymoquinone that has all of these beneficial properties. Thymoquinone has been heavily studied and one of its mechanisms is suppression of the COX-2 enzyme resulting in reduced inflammation. COX-2 inhibitors like Celebrex are popular drugs for inflammatory conditions but black cumin seed has similar benefits without the side effects.

Thymoquinone also has also been shown in previous research to improve thyroid function. Not only has it been shown to increase T3 but it actually can repair thyroid tissue that has been damaged by your immune system.

Black cumin seeds also contain thymohydroquinone and thymol which also have many of the same benefits.

Is there more research on black cumin seed oil and Hashimoto's disease?

Another exciting paper was just published which looked specifically at black cumin seeds and their effect on lipids, glucose metabolism, and anthropometric variables including body weight and body mass index (BMI).

The authors start by discussing the connection between hypothyroidism and lipids such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL. High cholesterol levels are a hallmark sign of hypothyroidism which is interesting because some patients are prescribed cholesterol-lowering medication without a proper thyroid evaluation.