Black seed has been valued for centuries and is now being studied for the naturally occurring compounds found within its oil. At Sewak, we use black seed oil alongside miswak as part of a modern oral care formula inspired by traditional ingredients.
What is black seed?
Black seed comes from Nigella sativa, a flowering plant native to parts of the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. The small black seeds are also known as black cumin, kalonji and al-habbah al-sawda. Historical and scientific reviews describe human use of Nigella sativa stretching back more than 3,000 years.
Black seed in the Prophetic tradition
Black seed has a particularly important place in Islamic tradition. An authentic narration from Abu Hurayrah records that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“In the black seed is healing for every disease except death.”
This narration is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 5688 and Sahih Muslim 2215. A closely related narration is also recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 5687.
The hadith refers to black seed itself, rather than specifically to black seed oil. Over the centuries, the seed has been used whole, crushed, mixed with other ingredients and prepared as an oil. Classical scholars also discussed the hadith with nuance, recognising that the way black seed is used can differ depending on the condition and preparation.
For us, this tradition is part of the story of black seed, but it does not replace evidence-based healthcare. We do not use the hadith to claim that Sewak toothpaste cures disease.
A history that goes far beyond one culture
Nigella sativa has a long record of use across the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and parts of Europe. It has appeared in Arab and Islamic medicine, Unani medicine, Ayurveda and Siddha traditions, as well as in Greco-Roman writings.
Historical medical writers including Dioscorides and Pliny discussed black seed. The Persian physician and polymath Ibn Sina, known in the West as Avicenna, also wrote about Nigella sativa in the Canon of Medicine, where it was traditionally associated with supporting vitality and recovery from fatigue.
Across different traditions, black seed preparations have historically been used for a wide range of purposes including digestive complaints, respiratory symptoms, headaches, skin conditions and general wellbeing. Some historical sources also describe its use for toothache and other oral complaints.
Historical use is not the same as modern clinical proof. We include these traditions because they show how long people have valued Nigella sativa, not because every traditional use has been scientifically confirmed.
What makes black seed interesting?
One of the best studied natural compounds in black seed is thymoquinone. Laboratory and clinical research has investigated Nigella sativa and thymoquinone for antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.
Why black seed is personal to our founder
Black seed is not an ingredient I came across simply because it was fashionable. During my master’s degree, I studied black seed oil and antimicrobial resistance, looking at whether compounds within it could influence the activity of older antibiotics against resistant bacteria.
One of the compounds I focused on was thymoquinone, or THQ. In my own laboratory testing, under the conditions I studied, I observed results suggesting that thymoquinone could improve the activity of older antibiotics against resistant bacterial strains and potentially help overcome some resistance.
That work gave me a much deeper interest in black seed and the science behind it. It is one of the reasons I wanted black seed oil to have a genuine place in the Sewak formula rather than being included simply as a traditional or marketing ingredient.
Important: this was laboratory research and should not be interpreted as evidence that Sewak toothpaste treats bacterial infections or antibiotic resistance. The research is part of the scientific background that shaped my interest in Nigella sativa.
Black seed and oral care
Research into black seed specifically for oral health is still developing, but the findings are interesting. Studies have investigated Nigella sativa preparations for their effects on oral bacteria, plaque and gum inflammation.
A 2026 randomised controlled trial involving 36 adults with gingivitis compared a Nigella sativa mouthwash with chlorhexidine over 14 days. Both groups showed reductions in plaque and gingival bleeding. Because this was a small, short study using a mouthwash rather than toothpaste, it should be seen as promising evidence rather than proof of a therapeutic effect from black seed toothpaste.
Why do we use black seed oil in Sewak?
We wanted Sewak to combine ingredients with genuine heritage and a sensible scientific rationale. Black seed oil complements miswak by bringing naturally occurring plant compounds into the formula while helping us create an oral care product that feels very different from a conventional mint toothpaste.
- Deep heritage: Nigella sativa has been used for thousands of years across multiple cultures.
- Prophetic tradition: black seed is specifically mentioned in authentic hadith recorded by both al-Bukhari and Muslim.
- Rich in plant compounds: including thymoquinone, one of its most researched constituents.
- Interesting oral care research: early studies have explored its potential role in supporting plaque control and healthy gums.
- Personal scientific connection: our founder previously studied black seed oil and thymoquinone in laboratory research into antimicrobial resistance.
- Chosen with purpose: it forms part of our miswak-led formulation rather than being added simply for marketing.
Traditional wisdom, modern scrutiny
We believe traditional ingredients deserve respect, but they also deserve proper scrutiny. Our approach is to bring together heritage, personal scientific experience and modern research without turning any of them into exaggerated promises. Where evidence is encouraging, we will say so. Where more research is needed, we will say that too.
Sewak toothpaste is a cosmetic oral care product intended for everyday cleaning and oral hygiene. It is not a medicine and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure dental or medical conditions.
Sources and further reading
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5688
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2215
- Published scientific reviews of Nigella sativa, its historical use and thymoquinone
- Modern research examining Nigella sativa preparations in oral care
We will continue updating this page as stronger evidence becomes available.