Black Seed Oil

Black seed oil in Malta – cold-pressed Nigella sativa, €19.87

Black seed oil is pressed from the seeds of Nigella sativa, the small black seeds you see on Turkish bread. In Maltese they are ħabbet is-sewda; in English the plant is also called black cumin, kalonji or nigella. It has been used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern homes for centuries. At Prime Health Shop in Tarxien we stock the oil and the whole seeds, on the shelf and online with next day delivery in Malta and fast delivery to Gozo.

One honest note: no health claim has been authorised for black seed in the EU, so we do not say what it does. We tell you what is in the bottle and how people take it. If you have a health question, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What we stock

• HealthAid Black Seed Oil 150ml – €19.87. 100% cold-pressed Nigella sativa seed oil, nothing added, no carrier oils. One teaspoon (5ml) a day, so the bottle lasts 30 days – about €0.66 a day. Thymoquinone, the compound most often measured in black seed, is naturally present. In stock.
• Good Earth Nigella (Black Onion) Seeds – €1.15. The whole seeds, for bread, curries, rice and pickles. Currently on order – call us to reserve a pack.
• Lestello Corn Bites with Black Cumin 65g – €2.50. A gluten-free corn snack topped with nigella seeds, for people who like the taste. A food, not a supplement.

Cold-pressed or blended?

Cold pressing squeezes the oil out of the seeds without heat. It is slow and gives less oil, which is why a small bottle of pure cold-pressed oil costs more than a large bottle of "black seed oil" that is mixed with sunflower or olive oil. Read the ingredients: if the label lists only Nigella sativa seed oil, it is pure. The HealthAid bottle lists nothing else.

How to take black seed oil

A common serving is one teaspoon (5ml) a day, or what the label says. The taste is strong – warm, peppery, a little bitter, closer to oregano and cumin than to olive oil – so most people stir it into a spoon of honey, a few spoons of yoghurt or a smoothie. Keep the bottle closed, in a cool dark cupboard, and use it within the time stated on the label once opened. Whole nigella seeds are used as a spice: toast them for a few seconds in a dry pan and scatter them over flatbread, dhal, roasted vegetables or hummus.

Black seed oil FAQ

What does black seed oil do? The EU has not authorised any health claim for black seed, so we are not allowed to tell you it does anything, and we would rather say that plainly. What we can tell you is what is in the bottle. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have a specific question.

Is black seed the same as black cumin? Yes. Nigella sativa is sold as black seed, black cumin, kalonji, nigella or black onion seed, and in Maltese as ħabbet is-sewda. It is a different plant from the cumin in your spice rack, and it is not caraway.

Oil or seeds? The oil is the concentrated form that people take daily by the spoon. The seeds are a spice for cooking. Same plant, different use.

Can I take it while pregnant or with medication? Ask your doctor or pharmacist first. Keep it out of reach of children.

Is it halal? The HealthAid oil is a single-ingredient plant oil with nothing added. Check the label for any certification mark; call us and we will read it for you.

Where can I buy black seed oil in Malta? At Prime Health Shop, 10 Triq il-Witja, Tarxien (Mon–Fri 9am–7pm, Sat 9am–1pm), or online here. Order before 12:45pm for next day delivery in Malta; Gozo deliveries go out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Card payment only. Phone +356 2168 6807.

Looking for other traditional oils and seeds? See our herbs and spices page, or the full range of vitamins and supplements in Malta.

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.