Nigella sativa is an annual plant which belongs to southwest Asia. It grows up to 20-30cm, with divided and linear (not thread-like) leaves. Its flowers are delicate, and usually pale blue and white, with 5-10 petals. The fruit is a large and inflated capsule composed of 3-7 follicles and each contains numerous seeds. The seed is used as a spice. Ns has been used in medicinal purposes for centuries as a herb and sometimes as oil, in Asia, Middle East, and Africa in order to treat ailments including asthma, bronchitis, rheumatism and related inflammatory diseases, increasing milk production in nursing mothers, promoting digestion and fighting parasitic infections, health, stomach and intestinal health, kidney and liver functions, circulatory and immune system support, as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, ant allergic, antioxidants, anticancer, antiviral and for general well-being. Its oil has been used in order to treat skin conditions such as eczema and boils and cold symptoms. Medicinal plants widely are used in traditional medicine in order to avoid major effects caused by chemical drugs. The black seeds of Ns contain nonvolatile (30%>) and volatile oil (45-40%). And thymoquinone is the main component of this oil. In different countries the black seed is used in traditional medicine in order to treat diseases such as hypertension, blood pressure, fat diseases, reduction asthma and diarrhea, rheumatism and infectious diseases against nematodes and cestodes (tape worms), anti-malaria, tumors and cancers disinfectant. This article reviews the pharmacology of the oil of TQ of Ns in treating diseases.
