Black seed is used for supporting digestive tract conditions including gas, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, and hemorrhoids. It is also used for respiratory conditions including asthma, allergies, cough, bronchitis, emphysema, flu, swine flu, and congestion.
 
Other uses include lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, support cancer defense, and boosting the immune system. Women use black seed for birth control, to start menstruation, and to increase milk flow. Black seed is sometimes used in combination with cysteine, vitamin E, and saffron to ease the side effects of a chemotherapy drug called cisplatin. Some people apply black seed directly to the skin for joint pain (rheumatism), headache, and certain skin conditions.