Black seed oil holds a prime place in hair care routines, from Sunday masks to overnight oil baths. Studies on the plant are numerous, but rarely where expected: in 2022, a systematic review compiled 14 clinical studies of black seed in dermatology, covering acne, eczema, psoriasis, and vitiligo, yet none addressed hair or scalp, even though the authors also searched for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
This guide takes stock, based on studies identified via PubMed: oil composition, skin trials, laboratory data on fungi, published skin reactions, hair loss causes to verify, and the most studied solutions. You'll also find instructions for use as a mask, with a tolerance test, and what is known about oral intake.
The evidence : no published human trial in PubMed has measured the effect of black seed oil on hair loss, growth, alopecia, or dandruff. Existing trials focus on skin, with small sample sizes: a review of 14 clinical dermatology studies judges the results encouraging but fragile. On the scalp, only laboratory studies are available, where thymoquinone slows fungi responsible for ringworm. The oil remains usable as a cosmetic treatment, not as a hair loss remedy.
What really helps : identify the cause. Diffuse hair loss often occurs around 3 months after fever, diet changes, or shock, and 2 to 4 months after childbirth, then usually resolves on its own. Very low ferritin affects 21% of women experiencing hair loss. For androgenetic alopecia, minoxidil and finasteride remain reference treatments, and a few natural options such as rosemary oil applied topically or pumpkin seed oil taken orally have trial data. As for tolerance, contact dermatitis to black seed oil is published: a preliminary test is necessary.
- What black seed oil contains
- Black seed and hair: the real state of evidence
- What skin trials show
- Dandruff, itching, and fungi
- Why hair falls out: causes to verify
- Alopecia, patches, children: when to see a doctor
- The most studied solutions
- Applying black seed oil to hair: instructions for use
- Tolerance: published reactions
- Oral intake and hair: what we know
- Frequently asked questions
What black seed oil contains
Black seed oil obtained by pressing seeds of Nigella sativa is first and foremost a fatty oil, known as a fixed oil. Its fatty acid composition is well documented: in an analysis of seeds cultivated in Iran, linoleic acid represented 55.6% of fatty acids, oleic acid 23.4% and palmitic acid 12.5%. Another analysis found 50.2% linoleic acid and 19.9% oleic acid. It is therefore an oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which is confirmed by the profile of our Ethiopian oil: approximately 58 g of polyunsaturates, 26 g of monounsaturates and 15 g of saturates per 100 g.
Alongside this fatty fraction, the seed contains a small volatile fraction, the essential oil, where thymoquinone, the most studied molecule of the plant, is concentrated. Its proportion varies widely depending on the samples: 42.4% of the essential oil in an analysis conducted in Iran on seeds intended for antifungal testing, between 27.8 and 57% according to data reported by a team of dermatologists from Lyon. In the Iranian analysis mentioned above, the volatile oil had major compounds of trans-anethole (38.3%), p-cymene (14.8%), limonene and carvone; thymoquinone was not among them.
A 2024 study analyzed thirteen oils extracted from seeds cultivated in India, Syria, Egypt and Poland: the composition in fatty acids and sterols varied little, but the levels of volatile compounds, including thymoquinone, differed markedly from one sample to another. The authors recommend combining any research on the oil's properties with an analysis of its composition. Practical consequence: a result obtained with one oil, extract or essential oil does not automatically transfer to another preparation.
Our Ethiopian black seed oil is a fixed oil: 100% Ethiopian black seed oil, cold-pressed and unfiltered. It is not an essential oil, and studies conducted with essential oils or concentrated extracts do not directly apply to it. To learn more about the molecule, our article on thymoquinone brings together the available data.
Black seed and hair: the actual state of evidence
By cross-referencing in PubMed the terms black seed, thymoquinone, black seed, black cumin with hair, hair loss, alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, dandruff or scalp, our search found no clinical trials in humans, nor any animal studies devoted to hair growth. Hair appears there only indirectly: a review devoted to neurodegenerative diseases mentions in passing the traditional use of the seed applied against hair loss, without presenting data on this point, and a study in pregnant mice observed delayed coat growth in offspring exposed to a black seed extract.
The authors sought all controlled clinical trials of black seed on skin, including dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. They retained 14 studies, involving 1,159 patients, on acne, eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, warts or cutaneous leishmaniasis: none focused on the scalp or hair. The meta-analysis could only combine 4 trials, with an odds ratio of 4.59 in favor of black seed, an estimate that the authors considered should be interpreted with caution.
Nasiri N, Ilaghi Nezhad M, Sharififar F, et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2022;2022:7993579. DOI: 10.1155/2022/7993579
Another indication of this absence: a 2025 network meta-analysis compared, on hair density at 24 weeks, standard treatments for male androgenetic alopecia and seven alternative products with randomized trials, including rosemary oil, melatonin lotion or saw palmetto. Black seed was not among them.
| Question | What is found in PubMed | Type of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hair loss and growth | No human trials, no animal studies on growth | Absent |
| Alopecia areata, telogen effluvium | No trials | Absent |
| Dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis | No trials retained in the 2022 review; one laboratory test on Malassezia (blend of essential oils) | Absent |
| Ringworm fungi | Active extracts, essential oil and thymoquinone in culture dish | Laboratory only |
| Skin: acne, radiation dermatitis, eczema | Small randomized trials, varied preparations, often non-standardized | Human, still limited |
| Tolerance on application | Several cases of contact dermatitis, rare but published serious generalized reactions | Clinical cases |
| Oral intake | Trials on blood glucose and lipids, nothing on hair | Human, outside the scope of hair health |
Not having been tested doesn't mean ineffective: no one can today quantify an effect of the oil on hair. Diffuse hair loss often resolves on its own within a few months, and this spontaneous recovery is easily attributed to the last product used.
What trials show on skin
The most robust trials on nigella applied topically concern skin. They say nothing about hair follicles and use specific preparations, often far from an oil applied as-is.
In 60 patients with acne, a nigella hydrogel standardized in thymoquinone, applied twice daily for 60 days, reduced overall acne score by 78% on average, versus 3.3% with placebo gel, with fewer comedones, papules and pustules. The impact of acne on daily life decreased by 63.49%, versus 4.5%. No adverse effects were reported.
Soleymani S, Zargaran A, Farzaei MH, et al. Phytother Res 2020;34(11):3052-3062. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6739
In 62 women treated with radiotherapy for breast cancer, a gel containing 5% nigella extract applied twice daily reduced the frequency of radiation dermatitis and delayed the onset of grade 2 lesions to 35 days versus 29 under placebo, as well as weeping desquamation to 37 days versus 33. Skin-related quality of life was not modified.
The 2022 review draws a nuanced finding from these trials: nigella appears useful for several skin conditions, but none of the trials specified the active ingredient content of the preparation used, sample sizes are small, and the meta-analysis was based on only 4 publications. On the safety side, one study reported local adverse effects in 5 out of 75 patients, or 6.7%.
A gel against acne acts on the skin surface within weeks; hair loss depends on the hair follicle cycle, hormones, iron or immunity, over months. A skin effect therefore does not allow us to conclude an effect on hair growth.
Dandruff, itching and fungi
Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis are linked to an inflammatory reaction to a skin yeast, Malassezia. A review on their treatment notes that topical antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents remain the most commonly used, in shampoo form for the scalp, with systemic treatments reserved for extensive or resistant forms. No study has tested nigella on dandruff in humans. In the laboratory, only one study targeted Malassezia: a mixture in equal parts of essential oils of nigella, orange and cinnamon slowed its growth (from 6.25 mg/ml), without isolating the nigella component.
Other available data concern other fungi, dermatophytes, responsible for scalp ringworm, skin and nail mycosis. They all come from the laboratory.
On eight dermatophyte strains (five species) cultured in dishes, a nigella seed extract slowed growth at concentrations of 10 to 40 mg/ml, and pure thymoquinone at 0.125 to 0.25 mg/ml. The reference antifungal tested in parallel acted at concentrations of 0.00095 to 0.0155 mg/ml, approximately 8 to 260 times lower than those of pure thymoquinone.
Aljabre SH, Randhawa MA, Akhtar N, et al. J Ethnopharmacol 2005;101(1-3):116-119. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.04.002
A 2014 Iranian study confirms marked activity of essential oil, extracts and especially thymoquinone against three dermatophytes, and a 2016 review judges the activity of oil and extracts moderate against yeasts and dermatophytes, in the laboratory and in animals: a lead, not clinical proof.
Scalp ringworm, especially in children, manifests as scaly patches with short broken hairs, and is treated with a prescribed antifungal. Thick, oily dandruff that itches, with redness on eyebrows or nasal wings, suggests seborrheic dermatitis, which responds to antifungal shampoos. In both cases, consult a healthcare provider.
Why hair falls out: causes to check
Before choosing a treatment, identify the type of hair loss. A frequent cause of diffuse hair loss in women is theTelogen effluvium : a large number of hairs enter the resting phase at the same time, then shed together a few months later. A 2021 review notes that it is often triggered by physiological stress, childbirth, or rapid weight loss, that remission is frequent, and that no targeted treatment currently exists.
After childbirth, approximately 20% of women experience diffuse hair loss, 2 to 4 months later, which typically lasts 2 months and most often ends in complete recovery. Generally speaking, hair loss occurs about 3 months after the triggering event. To measure it, the author counts hairs shed during washing after 5 days without shampooing: beyond 100, telogen effluvium can be suspected, with a median around 300.
Rebora A. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2019;12:583-590. DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S200471
The same review emphasizes that hair loss, often intermittent, can stop on its own: spontaneous improvement is then incorrectly attributed to current treatment, which explains certain successes of folk remedies. It also notes that excess vitamin A can promote hair loss, that cases have been described after selenium supplementation, and that antithyroid antibodies or Hashimoto's thyroiditis are found in up to 60% of chronic autoimmune-type hair loss.
Iron also matters. A meta-analysis of 36 studies and 10,029 participants found ferritin equal to or below 10 to 15 ng/ml in 21% (12 to 29%) of women suffering from non-scarring hair loss, and ferritin on average about 18.5 ng/ml lower than in women without hair loss. This is an association, not proof of cause, but it justifies a blood test. A 2019 review on vitamins and minerals concludes along the same lines that deficiencies are a modifiable risk factor, and that large trials remain necessary to measure the effect of supplementation in deficient individuals. Finally, hormonal causes: hypothyroidism is accompanied by dry skin and brittle hair, polycystic ovary syndrome is often accompanied by androgenetic alopecia, and certain autoimmune diseases are associated with alopecia areata, according to a review of cutaneous manifestations of endocrine diseases.
Type of hair loss
| Suggestive signs | What to check | Telogen effluvium |
|---|---|---|
| Diffuse and abundant hair loss, often 2 to 4 months after childbirth, fever, dieting, or shock | Look for the trigger, ferritin, thyroid; frequent resolution within a few months | Iron deficiency |
| Diffuse hair loss, fatigue, heavy periods, iron-poor diet | Blood test with ferritin | Thyroid disorders |
| Brittle hair, dry skin, cold sensitivity, fatigue, weight gain | TSH level, antibodies if needed | Androgenetic alopecia |
| Progressive thinning, on the crown in women, receding hairline and vertex in men, family history | Scalp examination; in women, hormonal workup if irregular periods or acne | Alopecia areata |
| Round smooth patches, appearing rapidly | Dermatological consultation | Excess supplements |
| Hair loss after heavy supplementation with vitamin A or selenium | Review all supplements being taken | Alopecia areata, patches, children: when to consult |
Certain hair loss requires medical treatment, and the sooner the better.
is an autoimmune disease: the immune system attacks hair follicles, which stop producing hair in round patches, sometimes across the entire scalp and body. A European expert consensus published in 2024 reminds us of its significant impact on quality of life, and the harassment that children affected by it often endure. When 20% or more of the scalp is affected, treatment by systemic route is discussed; two medications from the JAK inhibitor family are now prescribed in severe forms, and other treatments are used depending on the case. In children, a systematic review of 122 publications and 1,032 patients places topical corticosteroids as the first choice, as those with the best level of evidence. Black cumin has never been tested in this disease. Signs that warrant consultation
Smooth patches
Plaques lisses or areas without hair that appeared within a few weeks. Abnormal scalp : redness, pain, crusts, pustules, scars or shiny skin where hair should be, possible signs of scarring alopecia, which requires prompt medical attention. Hair loss in a child, particularly with peeling patches. General signs : marked fatigue, shortness of breath, very heavy periods, feeling cold easily, weight loss. Hair loss that lasts beyond 6 months, or progressive thinning. Hair loss after a new medication : do not stop treatment without medical advice.
The most well-studied solutions
Forandrogenetic alopecia, the most common type of chronic hair loss, medical treatments remain the gold standard. In the 2025 network meta-analysis covering 24 trials in men, 5% minoxidil solution increased hair density by approximately 20 hairs per square centimeter in 24 weeks compared to placebo, with a wide margin of uncertainty; dutasteride taken orally ranked first, and finasteride, whether oral or topical, also performed better than placebo. These medications, which have their own side effects, should be discussed with a doctor.
Among natural options,rosemary oil was directly compared to minoxidil: in a 6-month trial included in this meta-analysis, 50 men applied it twice daily and 50 others used 2% minoxidil. The meta-analysis authors note that trials on these alternative products often involve small sample sizes, and that the placebo effect may sustain the use of these products.
In 76 men with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia, 400 mg daily of pumpkin seed oil in capsules for 24 weeks increased hair count by 40%, compared to 10% under placebo. The evaluator, who was unaware of the treatment, judged 44.1% of men in the pumpkin oil group as improved, versus 7.7% under placebo. Hair thickness did not change.
Cho YH, Lee SY, Jeong DW, et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014;2014:549721. DOI: 10.1155/2014/549721
Limitations: the capsules were supplied by their manufacturer, who held the randomization codes, and a commentary published the following year regrets the lack of results on the frontal area and requests follow-up of at least one year. This trial does not concern black seed oil.
There remains a simple gesture, often associated with oil application: scalp massage. In 9 healthy men, 4 minutes daily of standardized massage with a device over 24 weeks increased average hair thickness from 0.085 to 0.092 mm. The study is tiny, without a control group, conducted with researchers from a cosmetics company, and focuses on massage alone, without oil. Our article on active ingredients studied for hair loss details other options.
Applying black seed oil to hair: instructions for use
Here is a practical method for integrating the oil into your hair care routine. These are usage recommendations, not study results: no study has tested a hair care protocol with this oil. The quantities and application times follow the directions on our Ethiopian black seed oil.
The tolerance test deserves particular attention. In dermatology, contact allergies are detected through repeated applications on the inner forearm: in a trial on a cosmetic preservative, volunteers applied the product five times daily on a 5 cm by 10 cm area, for up to 21 days, and reactions in sensitive individuals appeared over the days. A test lasting several days is therefore more informative than a single drop.
Never apply pure black cumin essential oil to the scalp. More concentrated in volatile compounds than fixed oil, it is responsible for at least one published case of generalized allergic reaction, and homemade essential oil blends multiply sources of allergy.
Tolerance: published reactions
Natural does not mean risk-free for the skin. A 2017 review of clinical trials judges the adverse effects of black cumin taken orally to be generally mild, but topical application raises a different question. Dermatological literature describes a series of allergic reactions since the late 1990s: contact dermatitis after application of black cumin oil in 1997, then after black cumin oil ointment in 2002, generalized erythema multiforme-type reaction with black cumin essential oil in 2011, local and generalized reactions with products claimed to contain seeds and oil in 2019. In 2018, a series of three women hospitalized for severe acute contact dermatitis from black cumin oil was published: lesions extended beyond the application area, with skin loss exceeding 15% and fever, and patch tests performed with their oil were all positive.
Parisian dermatologists identified the allergen. In 2020, a case report (without abstract, indexed in PubMed with terms for scalp, facial dermatosis, and alopecia) designates thymoquinone as the causative allergen, with cross-reactivity to tert-butylhydroquinone. The following year, five new cases indicate that tert-butylhydroquinone can serve as a marker of sensitivity to black cumin oil in allergy testing.
A 28-year-old woman with no medical history applied black cumin oil once daily to her entire body, including face. One week later, a generalized rash appeared with a sharp increase in eosinophils and enlarged lymph nodes: a DRESS syndrome, a severe drug reaction. She recovered in one month with corticosteroids, and a patch test performed six months later with her oil was positive, while remaining negative in three control subjects.
Fargeas M, Calugareanu A, Ben-Said B. Contact Dermatitis 2022;87(2):203-204. DOI: 10.1111/cod.14127
Another case directly concerns hair care: in 2023, dermatologists described severe contact dermatitis in a person repeatedly exposed to beard care cosmetics with black cumin oil used by their partner. The reaction can therefore affect those in close contact.
Preliminary test for one week on the forearm. Immediate discontinuation in case of redness, itching, vesicles, or eczema, on the scalp, forehead, neck, or in a close contact. Medical emergency in case of widespread rash, fever, facial swelling, or malaise. No application on damaged skin, in children, or pure essential oil. A known allergy to black cumin or thymoquinone requires avoiding the oil on skin and seeking medical advice before any oral consumption.
Oral intake and hair: what we know
No trial has measured the effect of oral black seed on hair. Oral trials address other questions: the 2017 review cited above lists uses in inflammatory, autoimmune and metabolic diseases, and estimates that most applications still require clinical and animal studies.
The best-studied area is metabolism. A 2025 meta-analysis combining 16 randomized trials in people with type 2 diabetes found a decrease in fasting blood glucose of 21.43 mg/dL, glycated hemoglobin of 0.44 points and LDL cholesterol of 19.53 mg/dL, with no effect on liver enzymes or creatinine. In one of the trials in this area, 43 diabetic people took two capsules of 500 mg of black seed oil extract per day for 8 weeks, i.e. 1 g, or a sunflower oil placebo.
The quantity in this trial, 1 g per day, corresponds to that of our Egyptian black seed oil capsules (2 capsules), but it was an oil extract, the trial measured blood glucose in diabetic people and not hair, and it did not use our capsules. This decrease in blood glucose is also a reason for caution: when taking antidiabetic medication, black seed oil intake should be discussed with a doctor. For those who prefer the seed itself, our organic black seed powder offers ground seeds.
On the safety side, a meta-analysis of 19 trials and 1,295 participants found no degradation of liver markers; creatinine increased slightly in 3 trials in adjusted analyses, and the authors call for longer and better-quality trials. In pregnant mice, a methanol extract of black seed given by gavage at 300 mg/kg per day during gestation reduced litter size, prolonged gestation and delayed fur growth and reflexes in pups (their weight and size were conversely higher). These are animal data, with an extract and doses unrelated to a food oil, but they align with the precautions on our product sheets: our oils are not recommended during pregnancy and in children, capsules also not in adolescents and during breastfeeding, and bottled oil requires medical advice during breastfeeding. These points are detailed in our article on risks of black seed oil.
Postpartum hair loss is also a situation where caution is warranted: during breastfeeding, capsules are not recommended and oil requires medical advice. This hair loss most often resolves with complete recovery, and having your ferritin checked remains a simple step.
A 100% Ethiopian black seed oil, cold-pressed and unfiltered, in a 100 ml bottle. A few drops massaged onto the scalp, left for at least 20 minutes or overnight, for simple oil treatment, after a tolerance test.
See Ethiopian black seed oilOur guide to the benefits of black seed oil covers all the studies.
Frequently asked questions
Does black seed oil promote hair growth?
No study supports this. No human trial or animal study on hair growth appears in PubMed. Available trials focus on skin, such as acne or radiation dermatitis, and cannot be transposed to the hair follicle.
Is black seed oil effective against hair loss?
It has not been tested against hair loss. A 2022 review compiled 14 clinical studies of black seed in dermatology, and none concerned hair. In case of hair loss, the most useful approach is to identify the cause: childbirth, fever, diet, iron deficiency, thyroid problems or androgenetic alopecia.
How to apply black seed oil to hair?
After a one-week tolerance test on the forearm, apply a few drops to dry scalp, section by section, massage for a few minutes with fingertips, leave for at least 20 minutes or overnight, then wash with a mild shampoo applied to dry hair. These are practical tips, not tested in trials.
How long should black seed oil be left on hair?
At least 20 minutes, or overnight while protecting your pillow, according to the instructions on our oil's product sheet. No study has compared different application times on hair.
Does black seed oil help with dandruff?
No trial has tested it on dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. In the laboratory, thymoquinone and black seed extracts inhibit fungi responsible for ringworm; for dandruff yeast, we only have a laboratory test with a mixture of essential oils including black seed. Antifungal shampoos remain the standard treatment.
Can black seed oil cause an allergy?
Yes. Several cases of contact dermatitis have been published since 1997, thymoquinone has been identified as an allergen, and severe generalized reactions have been described, including a DRESS syndrome in 2022 after application to the entire body. A one-week test on the forearm is recommended before any use on the scalp.
Should black seed oil be taken orally for hair?
No study has measured the effect of oral black seed on hair. Oral trials focus mainly on blood glucose and lipids in people with diabetes. Oral intake should be discussed with a doctor if taking anticoagulant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive or immunosuppressant medication.
Black seed oil or rosemary oil for hair?
Rosemary oil has a 6-month trial in 100 men with androgenetic alopecia, where it was compared to 2% minoxidil. Black seed oil has no hair trial. For androgenetic alopecia, minoxidil is among the best-studied treatments.
How long does it take to see results on hair?
Hair loss trials evaluate results at 3 and especially 6 months, because the hair cycle is slow. Diffuse hair loss itself occurs approximately 3 months after its trigger and often resolves on its own, making it difficult to attribute any rapid improvement to a treatment.
Is black seed oil suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Our black seed oils are not recommended during pregnancy. During breastfeeding, capsules are not recommended and oil in a bottle requires medical advice. In pregnant mice, a black seed extract at 300 mg/kg per day reduced litter size, prolonged gestation, and delayed fur growth and reflexes in offspring, whose weight and size were, however, higher.
What tests should be done in case of hair loss?
The doctor guides the assessment: most often ferritin, as 21% of women experiencing hair loss have very low ferritin levels, and TSH testing for the thyroid. Hormonal assessment is discussed in women with irregular periods, acne, or excessive hair growth.
Sources
The studies cited below were identified via PubMed.
- Nasiri N, Ilaghi Nezhad M, Sharififar F, et al. Therapeutic effects of Nigella sativa on skin diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022;2022:7993579. DOI
- Nickavar B, Mojab F, Javidnia K, Amoli MA. Chemical composition of fixed and volatile oils of Nigella sativa L. from Iran. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C, Journal of Biosciences, 2003;58(9-10):629-631. DOI
- Amin S, Mir SR, Kohli K, et al. Study of the chemical composition of black cumin oil and its effect on the penetration of transdermal formulations. Natural Product Research, 2010;24(12):1151-1157. DOI
- Mahmoudvand H, Sepahvand A, Jahanbakhsh S, et al. Antifungal activity of essential oil, various extracts of Nigella sativa and thymoquinone against pathogenic dermatophytes. Journal of Medical Mycology, 2014;24(4):e155-e161. DOI
- Fargeas M, Calugareanu A, Ben-Said B. DRESS syndrome following cutaneous application of Nigella sativa oil (black cumin). Contact Dermatitis, 2022;87(2):203-204. DOI
- Dąbrowski G, Czaplicki S, Konopka I. Variation in the composition and quality of Nigella sativa L. seed oils: an underestimated impact on their potentially beneficial health properties. Molecules, 2024;29(6):1360. DOI
- Gawas CG, Mathur S, Wani M, Tabassum H. Nigella sativa and its nanoformulations in the management of neurodegenerative diseases: a review. Ibrain, 2023;9(1):111-123. DOI
- Laadraoui J, Laaradia MA, El Gabbas Z, et al. Effect of Nigella sativa consumption during gestation on fertility, morphology and behavior of mouse pups. Birth Defects Research, 2025;117(9):e2530. DOI
- Gupta AK, Bamimore MA, Talukder M. Relative efficacy of conventional monotherapies and over-the-counter non-conventional products in male androgenetic alopecia: network meta-analysis. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025;24(10):e70483. DOI
- Soleymani S, Zargaran A, Farzaei MH, et al. Effect of a Nigella sativa L. hydrogel on acne: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 2020;34(11):3052-3062. DOI
- Rafati M, Ghasemi A, Saeedi M, et al. Nigella sativa L. for preventing acute radiodermitis in breast cancer: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2019;47:102205. DOI
- Borda LJ, Perper M, Keri JE. Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis: a comprehensive review. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2019;30(2):158-169. DOI
- Mirzaii M, Yaeghoobi M, Afzali M, et al. Antifungal activity of a quince seed mucilage hydrogel enriched with essential oils of Nigella sativa, Citrus sinensis and Cinnamon verum. Iranian Journal of Microbiology, 2021;13(3):352-359. DOI
- Aljabre SH, Randhawa MA, Akhtar N, et al. Antidermatophyte activity of the ether extract of Nigella sativa and its active principle, thymoquinone. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2005;101(1-3):116-119. DOI
- Shokri H. Review of the inhibitory potential of Nigella sativa against pathogenic and toxinogenic fungi. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 2016;6(1):21-33. DOI
- Chien Yin GO, Siong-See JL, Wang ECE. Telogen effluvium: a review of the science and current obstacles. Journal of Dermatological Science, 2021;101(3):156-163. DOI
- Rebora A. Telogen effluvium: a comprehensive review. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019;12:583-590. DOI
- Treister-Goltzman Y, Yarza S, Peleg R. Iron deficiency and non-scarring alopecia in women: systematic review and meta-analysis. Skin Appendage Disorders, 2022;8(2):83-92. DOI
- Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP, Tosti A. The role of vitamins and minerals in hair loss: a review. Dermatology and Therapy, 2019;9(1):51-70. DOI
- Lause M, Kamboj A, Fernandez Faith E. Dermatological manifestations of endocrine diseases. Translational Pediatrics, 2017;6(4):300-312. DOI
- Rudnicka L, Arenbergerova M, Grimalt R, et al. European expert consensus on systemic treatment of alopecia areata. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024;38(4):687-694. DOI
- Barton VR, Toussi A, Awasthi S, Kiuru M. Treatment of alopecia areata in children: systematic review. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2022;86(6):1318-1334. DOI
- Cho YH, Lee SY, Jeong DW, et al. Effect of pumpkin seed oil on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014;2014:549721. DOI
- Verma H. Commentary on the pumpkin seed oil trial in androgenetic alopecia. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015;2015:271474. DOI
- Koyama T, Kobayashi K, Hama T, et al. Standardized scalp massage increases hair thickness by exerting mechanical stress on dermal papilla cells. Eplasty, 2016;16:e8. DOI
- Yazar K, Lundov MD, Faurschou A, et al. Methylisothiazolinone from rinse-off products causes allergic contact dermatitis: a study by repeated open applications. British Journal of Dermatology, 2015;173(1):115-122. DOI
- Tavakkoli A, Mahdian V, Razavi BM, Hosseinzadeh H. Review of clinical trials of nigella seed (Nigella sativa) and its active constituent, thymoquinone. Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 2017;20(3):179-193. DOI
- Steinmann A, Schätzle M, Agathos M, Breit R. Allergic contact dermatitis to black cumin oil (Nigella sativa) after topical application. Contact Dermatitis, 1997;36(5):268-269. DOI
- Zedlitz S, Kaufmann R, Boehncke WH. Allergic contact dermatitis to an ointment containing black cumin oil (Nigella sativa). Contact Dermatitis, 2002;46(3):188. DOI
- Nosbaum A, Ben Said B, Halpern SJ, et al. Systemic allergic contact dermatitis to black cumin essential oil, presenting as generalized polymorphous erythema. European Journal of Dermatology, 2011;21(3):447-448. DOI
- Dehavay F, Kolivras A, Scheers C. Local and systemic skin reactions after use of herbal products presumed to contain seeds and oil of Nigella sativa. Contact Dermatitis, 2019;80(3):176-177. DOI
- Gaudin O, Toukal F, Hua C, et al. Association between severe acute contact dermatitis due to Nigella sativa oil and epidermal apoptosis. JAMA Dermatology, 2018;154(9):1062-1065. DOI
- Kurihara F, Soria A, Lepoittevin JP, et al. Thymoquinone, the allergen responsible for contact dermatitis to Nigella sativa oil, with cross-reaction to tert-butylhydroquinone. Contact Dermatitis, 2020;83(2):132-134. DOI
- Seiller H, Kurihara F, Chasset F, et al. Tert-butylhydroquinone, a marker of sensitivity to Nigella sativa oil allergy: five new cases. Contact Dermatitis, 2021;84(6):447-449. DOI
- Assier H, Kouby F, Ingen-Housz-Oro S, Roux C. Severe conjugal allergic contact dermatitis to Nigella sativa seed oil, due to repeated contact with beard cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis, 2023;88(3):245-246. DOI
- Karimi M, Pirzad S, Pourfaraji SMA, et al. Effects of nigella seed (Nigella sativa L.) on cardiometabolic indices of type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2025;90:103174. DOI
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