Nigella sativa — black seed, kalonji, habba sawda — has the deepest traditional-medicine literature of any ingredient in our catalog. From Islamic medical traditions referencing “the seed that cures everything but death” to modern clinical interest in thymoquinone, the immunity-positioning thesis writes itself. This page covers the supplement-formulation specifics.
Why this ingredient for this application
Nigella sativa has measurable immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity attributable to thymoquinone, its primary bioactive. The supplement-market positioning is well-established globally, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia where “habba sawda” supplements are mainstream OTC. Building immunity-positioned products around nigella connects to an existing consumer category vocabulary.
Spec & inclusion
Whole seed: 400–500 mg per Size 00 capsule for seed-format supplements. Ground/powdered: 250–400 mg per capsule for higher surface-area release. Cold-pressed oil (separate format): 250–500 mg oil per softgel. For functional-food applications (immunity bars, immunity blends), inclusion 5–15% nigella powder. Whole or milled to spec depending on format.
Formulation notes
Whole seed has dramatically better shelf-stability than ground (oil oxidation drops thymoquinone content over time once seeds are milled). For supplement brands targeting maximum thymoquinone delivery, mill in-process (just before encapsulation) rather than buying pre-milled. We ship whole seed by default; milling available on quote request.
Sourcing & documentation
Every shipment includes a per-batch Certificate of Analysis with the appropriate grade panel, a phytosanitary certificate issued in Cotonou, and named cooperative attribution. Food grade and cosmetic grade availability varies by ingredient — see grade differences.