Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Black cumin (Nigella sativa), also known as black seed or kalonji, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Africa. In these systems, black cumin seeds and their oil have been used for a variety of ailments, including sleep disturbances and insomnia. The rationale for its use is often rooted in the belief that black cumin helps balance the body and calm the nerves, which can theoretically aid in promoting restful sleep. Some traditional herbal texts mention black cumin as an ingredient in remedies designed to induce relaxation or improve sleep quality.

From a scientific standpoint, there is limited and preliminary evidence exploring black cumin’s effects on sleep. A few animal studies have shown that Nigella sativa extracts may have sedative or anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects, potentially by modulating neurotransmitters such as GABA in the brain. However, robust human clinical trials specifically evaluating its efficacy for insomnia are lacking. Most of the available evidence comes from traditional use and anecdotal reports rather than rigorous scientific validation. Therefore, while black cumin is used in traditional medicine to support sleep and address insomnia, its effectiveness for this purpose is not strongly supported by high-quality scientific evidence at this time.

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