Frequently Asked Questions

Black seed, also known as black cumin – Nigella sativa – or habba sawda, is an annual herbaceous plant naturally found in the Mediterranean region, but also cultivated in parts of Saudi Arabia, North Africa, and Asia. Small and rough, no longer than 3 mm, black seed comes from the everyday Nigella Sativa plant of the Ranunculaceae family. It is sometimes confused with Foeniculum Vulgare. The plant has finely divided leaves with light blue, purple, or white flowers growing at the top of its branches. The lower leaves are small, while the upper ones can reach up to 10 cm. The stem can reach half a meter when its fruit (the seeds) bloom. Nigella Sativa reproduces itself by forming a fruit capsule containing many triangular seeds. Once ripe, the capsule opens, exposing the seeds to air, turning them black – hence the name. Depending on the region, Nigella Sativa seeds are also called black caraway, black cumin, or even coriander seeds. In English, it is sometimes referred to as “Love in a mist.” Nigella Sativa has been used for centuries, including in ancient Persian traditions, known for its remarkable healing properties that support the immune system and protect against diseases.

We recommend black seed because it was advised by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) 14 centuries ago: “Use black seed, for it is a remedy for every disease except death.” However, every body is different, and only a doctor can provide a proper diagnosis, especially if you are using heavy medication. Zwartzaadolie.nl is not liable for any (mis)use of its products. Nigella Sativa products are food supplements and should never replace medication. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are ill, in doubt, or using medication. Our advice and blogs are purely informational and not a substitute for medical advice.

No, we deliberately do not sell oil in capsules, even though we receive regular requests for them. There are several important reasons for this, all related to quality, freshness, purity, and transparency.

Many people choose capsules for convenience, but there are several drawbacks that are often overlooked:

1. Less fresh
The oil used in capsules is usually produced on a large scale and stored for long periods before it reaches the consumer. As a result, it can be several months old by the time it’s consumed – especially for less common oils like black seed oil. Fresh oil in a bottle, on the other hand, can be used immediately and retains much more of its natural nutrients and effectiveness.

2. Lower quality due to processing
To make oil suitable for encapsulation, it must be processed – and this processing often reduces its quality and purity. Fresh oil is typically cold-pressed and bottled without heating, preserving the beneficial compounds at their best.

3. Larger intake, harder to swallow
Each capsule contains only a small amount of oil. To get the equivalent of one tablespoon (10 ml), you’d need 20–25 capsules. Many capsules are large and difficult to swallow, making them impractical and more expensive over time.

4. Additives and unsuitable capsules
Many capsules contain fillers, preservatives, or synthetic substances that you won’t find in high-quality bottled oils. In addition, most capsules are made from animal-derived gelatin (often beef or pork), making them unsuitable for vegetarians, vegans, or people with religious or ethical restrictions. This is rarely clearly labeled on the packaging.

Our choice: quality above all
At zwartzaadolie.nl, we place great importance on the purity and effectiveness of our products. Black seed oil is a sensitive and powerful oil, which is why we only offer fresh, cold-pressed oil in glass or BPA-free PET bottles. This way, our customers know exactly what they’re consuming – with no hidden additives or compromises.

In short: capsules may seem convenient, but their drawbacks – reduced freshness, purity, effectiveness, and questionable ingredients – make them a less desirable option. That’s why we proudly choose pure, fresh oil over capsules.

The market for black seed oil is increasingly filled with impressive marketing claims: "extra strong," "9x stronger," or "ultra pure oil." While these sound appealing, such statements are often more marketing than truth. As experts in truly fresh and pure black seed oil, we choose to be transparent. In this blog, we explain why many of these claims are unrealistic or misleading and why it's better to choose an honest product.

Why Not Always the Best Quality?
Some sellers offer both mild and strong oil. This raises questions: why would a producer sell mild oil when the dosage can simply be adjusted? If you want the best for your customers, you should only sell the highest-quality products. It doesn’t make sense to buy inferior seeds, press oil from them, and sell this as "mild." From a marketing perspective, however, it’s a clever tactic to lead customers to the more expensive product because it’s supposedly "the best quality," and people naturally want the best.

Pure Oil Can't Be Extra Strong
Many providers claim their oil is "extra strong" while also stating it’s "100% pure and unprocessed." This is contradictory. To make oil stronger, it must be processed, for instance, through extraction or concentration. Once processed, the oil is no longer pure and natural. We believe the strength of black seed oil lies in the natural balance of its components, and processing compromises the integrity of the product.

No Regulation, Anyone Can Say Anything
A major issue in the market is the lack of regulation. Anyone can claim their oil is "extra strong" or "the purest" without any independent verification. Often, evidence like certificates or test results is missing, or outdated and doctored certificates are used, which say nothing about current batches. This lack of transparency allows for deception. We choose openness and honesty: with us, you know exactly what you’re getting.

The TQ Content: A Misleading Marketing Tool
Thymoquinone (TQ), one of the active compounds in black seed oil, is often highlighted as proof of quality. What many consumers don’t realize is that TQ content can quickly change due to how the oil is pressed, stored, or transported. A lab snapshot tells little about the actual quality. Moreover, testing every batch is very expensive, and reliable labs are mostly based in the US. This adds high costs and long lead times, making the oil less fresh. We focus on freshness and purity instead of misleading claims.

Freshness is Key
The quality of black seed oil isn’t just about TQ but also the freshness and balance of all its natural compounds. The longer the oil is stored, the more quality it loses. A prime example of this is capsules, which are produced in massive quantities and then stored for months by retailers. This is why we don’t offer capsules—they compromise quality. With us, you always get freshly pressed oil, without unnecessary steps or long storage periods. This guarantees an optimal product.

Educate, Don’t Mislead
Instead of enticing customers with grandiose statements, we focus on education and honesty. We explain how our product is made, where it comes from, and why freshness and quality matter. This gives you, as the customer, the confidence that you’re buying a trustworthy product without being misled by marketing hype.

Conclusion
Don’t be misled by claims like "9x stronger" or "ultra strong." The strength of black seed oil lies in the natural balance and freshness of the product. With us, you always get an honest and pure product, artisanally pressed and delivered without gimmicks.

Black seed oil is rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid (Omega-6) and oleic acid (Omega-9). It also contains essential oils (including thymoquinone), vitamins B1, B2, B3, folic acid, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, and phosphorus. Furthermore, it is packed with antioxidants and other active components.

سمع أبو هريرة رضي الله عنه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: (فِي الْحَبَّةِ السَّوْدَاءِ شِفَاءٌ مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ إِلا السَّام) قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ: وَالسَّامُ الْمَوْتُ، وَالْحَبَّةُ السَّوْدَاءُ الشُّونِيزُ)

Abu Hurairah narrated that he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: “In this black seed there is healing for every disease except As-Saam.” Ibn Shihaab said: “As-Saam is death, and black seed is Ashawaniez (the Persian name for Nigella seed).” This narration is reported by Imam Bukhari.

Since 1959, countless studies have been initiated on the effects of black seed. These include studies by internationally leading universities and articles in various scientific journals publishing the astonishing results. In 1960, Egyptian scientists investigated whether Nigelline is responsible for the effect of black seed against bronchitis. Scientists in Germany studied its antibacterial and antifungal effects. Researchers at the Immuno-Biological Laboratory studied Nigella Sativa in relation to bone marrow production, cells, and interferon, and whether black seed protects normal cells against viruses and tumour cells. Researchers in the USA wrote the world’s first report on the anti-tumour effects of black seed, known as the Study of the effects of Nigella Sativa on humans.

For normal daily intake we recommend:

1 to a maximum of 2 small teaspoons of oil per day, or

between 3 and 5 grams of raw black seeds per day.

Internal use:
The oil or seeds can be mixed with a cold drink such as orange juice or yoghurt.
Note: do not mix with boiling drinks (above ~40°C), as high temperatures can negatively affect the active components.

The seeds can also be mixed with warm or cold food, or used as a spice in vegetable or meat dishes.

External use:
The oil can be applied to the skin for dry skin, eczema, arthritis, psoriasis, and scalp flakes. It is also very suitable as massage oil or a calming bath oil.
There is no strict dosage for external use – you will notice when your skin is saturated.

Important:
Shake well before use to mix the sediment with the oil. If you do not shake well, sediment will remain at the end. You can mix this with new oil and shake more with the next bottle.

Shake well before use to mix the sediment (linseed particles) with the oil.

Protect the oil from air and sunlight.

Storage: tightly closed in a dark, cool place, preferably in the refrigerator.

Tip for use:
Add to breakfast, for example in quark or yoghurt, possibly with (ground) nuts and maple syrup to taste.

Dosage:

45+ kg: half to 1 tablespoon

70+ kg: 1 to 2 tablespoons

External use:
Due to its exceptionally high alpha-linolenic acid content, chia seed oil is ideal for natural cosmetics. It helps retain moisture in the skin and hair, protects against drying, removes dead skin cells, helps reduce wrinkles and enlarged pores, supports cell renewal, and thus slows down ageing.
Ideal for sensitive, dry, flaky skin and hair (dandruff), used alone or combined with other vegetable oils.

Internal use:
Less common due to its high price, but it is an excellent plant-based source of essential alpha-linolenic acid, EPA, and DHA. DHA is otherwise only found in fish oil or algae.
One teaspoon per day is sufficient to meet your daily need for these important unsaturated fatty acids.

For black seed oil and chia seed oil, a shelf life of two years is generally stated. However, this does not mean the oil becomes unusable after two years. The oil remains usable but gradually loses its healthy properties after two years. The oil we sell is freshly pressed. This allows you to store and safely consume the oil for two years. For certainty, you will find the 'best before' date on the back of the bottle. We advise storing the oil in a dark place at room temperature. Make sure the temperature differences are not too high. This can happen near an oven, for example. For linseed oil, the shelf life is at least 3 months. This does not mean that the oil can no longer be used after that! Other brands put a shelf life of 1 to 2 years on linseed oil. Linseed oil is very sensitive and is best kept as cool as possible (in the fridge). As soon as the oil is no longer good, this will be clearly noticeable in the taste! The reason for the short shelf life of the oil is that we do not add any nasty E-numbers and leave the oil pure as it is meant to be.

Unfortunately, little research has been done so far. It is mentioned here and there that it is indeed not good during pregnancy. However, this cannot be substantiated with evidence and research. From our own experience, we know that black seed oil is used during pregnancies. It is therefore wise to consult with the midwives. There is also little to no research into the use of the oil during the breastfeeding period. Black seed oil is said to increase milk production. However, there is also no proof or research to be found for this. Since pregnancy and breastfeeding are critical phases in the life of the embryo/baby, our advice remains to always consult your midwife or gynecologist before use.

Black seed is a safe and effective herb that can be used by almost everyone. No complaints or side effects are caused if the dosage is properly adjusted. The benefits are obtained through regular use in the medium to long term (3-6 months).

Why does black seed oil burn/tingle in my throat?
It is indeed true that the oil burns/tingles in the throat. This is also one of the ways you can check the purity and freshness of this type of oil. The burning or tingling sensation can be quite strong depending on the condition of the throat (dry – moist), which is related to the time you take it. It is therefore something normal that can vary from time to time and will decrease over time. If you do not like this, we advise you to take smaller amounts several times until the amount equals 1 teaspoon. You can also moisten your throat in advance with a liquid by simply taking a sip. Furthermore, you can mix the oil with, for example, fruit juice. This way you hardly taste it. Make sure not to mix it with liquids warmer than 40 degrees. This will damage the good nutrients and components in the oil and, depending on the heat, render them completely inactive. So you don’t have to worry! Recent research even shows that this burning sensation (which also occurs with freshly pressed olive oil) has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits. See an excerpt from the article below! “Gary Beauchamp and other researchers from Pennsylvania report that extra virgin olive oil contains a substance that works just like the painkiller and anti-inflammatory ibuprofen. They discovered the substance because Beauchamp noticed that olive oil causes the same irritation in the back of the throat as ibuprofen. “I had a lot of experience swallowing ibuprofen because I took part in research with it,” he says in a press release. “When I tasted freshly pressed olive oil at a molecular gastronomy conference in Sicily, I was amazed to find that the feeling in my throat was almost identical.” Back in Pennsylvania, Beauchamp and his team searched for the substance causing this feeling. They found an unknown compound, which they named oleocanthal. The more of it in the olive oil, the stronger the stinging sensation in the back of the throat, their tests showed.”

We buy the seeds from different regions. For example, black seed from Syria is usually less sharp than black seed from India. There can be a taste difference, just like with oranges or olive oil from different countries and climates. Many producers of black seed oil use additives to maintain and guarantee a consistent taste. We deliberately do not do this and do not use any E-numbers to equalize the taste of different harvests of black seed. It is a natural product, and it is normal for the taste to fluctuate, and we would like to keep it that way. Furthermore, our oil is fresh without any additives and 100% pure.

Nigella oil is golden yellow in color. However, unprocessed and pure oil like ours also contains microscopic black seed particles that come along during pressing, making the oil look black. The amount depends heavily on the seed and varies per harvest. Temperature can also play a role. If the bottle is not shaken for a longer time, it becomes very compact and almost impossible to loosen, and it is almost not visible. Also note that temperature affects the speed of sedimentation and the thickness of the oil. The colder the oil is stored, the thicker it becomes. If you always shake the bottle before use (and do not let it stand too long), nothing remains at the bottom and the oil looks black. If you do not shake, some sediment remains (which you can mix with honey, for example) and the oil is golden.

Orders with a total maximum of the following are sent as letterbox mail:
Netherlands

6 bottles of 100 ml or

600 grams of seeds or

a mix of both (for example 200 ml + 400 grams of seeds)
Other countries

Always a parcel

If you order up to the above, it will fit through the standard legally approved letterbox that almost everyone in the Netherlands has. If you order more, it will automatically be a parcel.
Our packaging is based on the minimum legal dimensions of a letterbox as laid down in the law and agreed with PostNL. This minimum legal dimension of the letterbox slot is at least 265 millimetres in length and 32 millimetres in width.
Note: narrowings, draft strips, rubber strips, flaps with a spring mechanism and letterbox brushes can reduce the width, making it possible that the letterbox parcel no longer fits. If your letterbox has smaller dimensions, which is very rare, the delivery person will ring the doorbell to hand over the order.

Sometimes there is a delay due to, for example, a sorting error or during busy periods (such as the holidays). The track and trace often shows incorrect information. It is often scanned at the depot because few postal workers have scanning equipment with them. It is almost always delivered within a few days, so it can arrive at any moment.
If it has not been delivered within 7 days after the last scan, please contact me. I can then start an investigation and, if necessary, send a new shipment in advance. I remain responsible at all times until you have received your order and are satisfied.

We also deliver to Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Denmark and Austria! Other countries are also possible on request. Ask for the shipping rate via email or WhatsApp.

We use bottles specially developed for us. These bottles are amber-coloured (brown). These are special bottles (also called apothecary bottles) that keep out sunlight. This keeps the oil in excellent condition for a longer time! For litre bottles we use amber-coloured litre bottles. These are sent by regular post, so you need to be home to receive the package. No BPA has been added to our PET bottles by the manufacturer. A declaration from the manufacturer of the bottles can be requested by email if desired.

Yes, that is possible! These are amber-coloured glass bottles of 100 ml. The additional cost is €1 per 100 ml and €2.95 shipping costs per order. These are custom orders that can be ordered via email or WhatsApp.

No BPA has been added to our PET bottles by the manufacturer. A declaration from the manufacturer can be requested by email if desired.

We no longer offer payment afterwards. The reason is that we do not want to be responsible for customers being confronted with collection costs, reminder fees and bailiff charges due to a relatively small payment debt. Although we have no influence on this, we feel responsible. The amount is increased considerably in favour of a third party, which we find morally reprehensible. It can turn a relatively small problem into ever-increasing debts. Payment afterwards is a good solution for people who pay on time, but a disaster for those who do not manage their finances well. We therefore accept slightly lower turnover with the thought that we do not contribute to the debt collection industry.