Black cumin oil

Nigella sativa (oil)

Mechanism

Black cumin oil is the fatty oil obtained from the seeds of Nigella sativa. It contains unsaturated fatty acids (predominantly linoleic acid) as well as a fraction of essential oil with the characteristic constituent thymoquinone, to which antioxidant and inflammation-modulating properties are attributed in in-vitro and animal-model studies. Traditionally the oil is used to support the immune system, skin/coat and airways. It is the oily counterpart to feeding the whole seeds; compared with the seeds it provides the fat-soluble constituents in concentrated form, but no mucilage. Controlled efficacy studies in the horse on clinical endpoints are largely lacking; its use is predominantly experiential and extrapolated from other species.

Cautions

· Essential oils (incl. thymoquinone) act dose-dependently — dose moderately, do not overdose
· Use sparingly during pregnancy/lactation (insufficiently studied)
· The oil is prone to oxidation — do not feed once it smells rancid

Sources

Review Nigella sativaReview Nigella sativa / Thymochinon — antioxidativ und entzündungsmodulierend

EMA/HMPC Nigella sativaEMA/HMPC — Hinweise zu Nigella sativa (Schwarzkümmel)

Equiterna Score

57/100

solid

Science4.5/10

Practical experience6/10

Safety7/10

Overall score scale

high overall75–100solid55–74limited0–54

How the Equiterna Score is built

The Equiterna Score combines three dimensions into a value of 0-100: science (40%), practical experience (30%) and safety (30%). It is transparently derived from evidence level, attributed sources (PubMed/journals), legal classification and cautions. The FEI doping status is shown separately as a competition-law note and does not enter the score. Commissions and vendor relationships have no influence on the score. In addition, the editorial safety rating caps the result: it limits the safety dimension and the overall tier (orange: at most solid). For entries rated red, no score is calculated at all. The rating never raises anything — a green rating does not lift a calculated value.

An editorial assessment of the evidence and safety situation — not a healing claim and not an individual recommendation. It does not replace veterinary advice.

Dosageproduct-specific; in practice approx. 20–40 ml/animal/day (large horse), introduced gradually; store cold-pressed and protected from light/heat

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusNot listed

SafetyWith caution

Evidenceemerging

Usage note

This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.

“Nothing forced can ever be beautiful.”

Xenophon · On Horsemanship (c. 365 BC)

Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is study-attributed and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.