Our Egyptian Black Cumin Seed Oil is cold pressed fresh from the mill from fully ripened Egyptian Black Cumin Seeds. It is then simply filtered, not deodorised or refined, and is characterised by its golden yellow colour and balanced flavour. Black cumin oil can be heated to a maximum of 90°C. As a vital oil, it is enjoyed pure by the spoonful, but is also used as a typical seasoning for oriental dishes.

The effects of black cumin seed oil

Black cumin oil is dominated by the essential, double unsaturated linoleic acid. Linoleic acid helps to maintain normal blood cholesterol levels. The positive effect is achieved with a daily intake of 10g of linoleic acid.

There is no official recommended daily intake of black seed oil in the EU. For adults, a daily dose of 1 to 2 teaspoons (1 teaspoon is about 4 grams of oil) has been shown to be effective.

One of the special features of black seed oil is its high content of essential oils, which can range from 0.5g to 2.5g per 100g, depending on the harvesting year and growing conditions. There are also bitter and tannic acids such as nigellin and thymoquinone. These give black cumin oil its distinctly intense, typical flavour, but also explain its popularity for a variety of folkloric applications.

Phytochemical thymoquinone

Thymoquinone is a phytochemical belonging to the group of bioactive substances known as terpenes. Terpenes play an important role in the plant kingdom, fulfilling various functions such as protection against pests, attraction of pollinators and defence against pathogens. Terpenes also contribute to the characteristic scents and flavours of many other plants. For example, they are found in the essential oils of citrus fruits, conifers and flowers such as lavender and rosemary.

Thymoquinone has a characteristic aroma profile often described as spicy, earthy and slightly bitter. It has a strong, aromatic scent that is sometimes compared to a hint of black pepper, oregano or thyme. Our black seed oils currently have a thymoquinone content of 703mg/100g.

Black seed oil capsules or pure?

Black Seed Oil is available pure and in capsules. Capsules are suitable for a tasteless intake. They are also easy to dose. Ideally, black seed oil capsules are vegan and free from artificial flavours, colours, preservatives, flavour enhancers or other chemical additives.

The black cumin plant

Black cumin (Nigella sativa) is a member of the buttercup family and is not related to caraway. The seeds are small, angular and, as the name suggests, black.

Black cumin was once known in this country as 'bread root' and grew in many farm gardens before being forgotten. An anecdote has it that when Martin Luther translated the Bible from the Hebrew, he omitted the crucial word "black" before "caraway" at a crucial point in the spice's meaning, thus contributing to misunderstandings. Be that as it may, one thing is certain: black cumin was widespread in Egypt and the surrounding countries at the time of the Pharaohs and was used for a variety of purposes (the best varieties still thrive in Egypt).

Filtered or unfiltered black seed oil - treasures from Egypt

Black cumin seed oil

Unfiltered black cumin seed oil

tastes intensely aromatic

strong flavor, slightly spicy

contains essential oils and fatty by-products

also contains valuable lees and suspended matter

can be enjoyed pure by the spoonful

due to its pungent taste, dose with caution

At Ölmühle Solling, we have been producing mill-fresh black cumin oil from organically grown and fully ripened Egyptian black cumin seeds for over 20 years.

Since this spring we have been offering this Egyptian treasure in unfiltered form. The unfiltered black cumin seed oil has a darker colour and a stronger, slightly pungent taste; the sediment contains valuable substances that are normally filtered out. The essential double unsaturated linoleic acid dominates in black cumin seed oil. The high levels of essential oils, bitter compounds and tannins explain the popularity of black cumin seed oil for a variety of folkloric uses.

Black cumin oil for dogs

Our black cumin seed oil can also be used as a feed supplement for dogs and horses, but acceptance may vary from dog to dog as black cumin seed cake has a naturally bitter taste. Caution: Black cumin seed oil and cake are poisonous to cats because, unlike horses and dogs, they cannot break down the bitter substances completely.

Black seed cake for horses and dogs

The press cake produced when black seed is cold pressed is a high quality feed for horses and dogs. It is not suitable for cats due to the bitter compounds. In veterinary medicine it is used mainly for asthma and respiratory diseases. Black seed is also used for allergic reactions, where it is said to have anti-parasitic and immune-boosting properties.

Our organic black cumin seed cake for horses and dogs is made from Egyptian black cumin seeds by partially removing the oil through cold pressing. This very gentle cold pressing at below 40°C preserves the valuable ingredients in their best form. The press cake is free from additives and contains valuable unsaturated fatty acids and bitter compounds.