Best Black Seed Oil

Maybe you’ve heard friends talk about black seed oil, or scrolled through social media where it’s hailed as a remedy for everything from stubborn skin issues to thinning hair. That kind of buzz can spark curiosity but also healthy skepticism — can one oil really do so much?

Black seed oil comes from the seeds of Nigella sativa, a flowering plant used in traditional medicine for centuries. Modern research hasn’t confirmed all of the bold claims, but scientists are finding promising evidence in areas like inflammation and skin health.1 2 Also, a growing number of studies suggest its active compound, thymoquinone, may play a role in reducing oxidative stress — a process tied to chronic conditions, from eczema to heart disease.3 4

In this guide, we look past the hype to show you what the science actually says about black seed oil, who might benefit from it, and which black seed oil supplements stand out for safety, quality, and value.

Start with our summary of recommendations for a quick overview, then keep reading to see how we arrived at our picks.

Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers make more informed decisions about staying healthy and living healthier lives.

Our investigation into black seed oil began by reviewing its long history in traditional medicine and examining how modern research evaluates its active compounds, particularly thymoquinone. We read through dozens of clinical trials, systematic reviews, and other scientific papers to understand its potential effects on inflammation, skin health, metabolism, and more. With that foundation in place, we turned our attention to the supplement market, identifying products that align with the doses and safety parameters described in the literature. Finally, we purchased and tested many of these products ourselves so that we could provide real insight into the customer and user experience.

As with all health-related content on this site, this guide has been thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy and will continue to be updated as new research and products emerge.

Identifying the market's best black seed oil supplements involved assessing brands on factors that normally influence consumer choices:

• Effectiveness
• Safety
• Cost
• Convenience

These four factors are among the key things people weigh when choosing a supplement.

In the sections ahead, we outline how each of our top black seed oil picks performed across these categories — and where certain brands stood out. It’s worth noting that all of our selections performed well overall; when we call out an “advantage,” it doesn’t imply the others underperformed, only that a particular product showed a clear edge in that area.

Effectiveness

Advantage: Health Thru Nutrition Black Seed Oil 500mg 2% Thymoquinone

When you’re buying black seed oil, the compound to pay the most attention to is thymoquinone (TQ) — its best-studied bioactive. A large scientific review describes TQ as central to black seed oil’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, mechanisms tied to many of the benefits people seek (skin health, metabolic support, and more).5 The authors concluded:

“The results of our study suggest that the thymoquinone (TQ) content should be declared on all black seed oil products to enable researchers to choose a suitable study medication and consumers to buy black seed food supplements that contain sufficient active principle for the maintenance and improvement of health.”

The problem: most black seed oil products don’t disclose their TQ content, making it difficult for consumers to know if they’re getting an effective dose. That’s why every product we recommend in this guide publishes and verifies its TQ level.

So what’s an effective dose? One clinical trial using a black seed oil standardized to 5% TQ found that 200mg per day (10mg TQ) was safe and well tolerated for 90 days, while improving lipid profiles.6 This 10mg daily TQ benchmark guided our picks: it’s a practical dose for most people and aligns with published human safety data. We couldn’t find a reputable supplement in that exact 200mg/5% format on the U.S. market, so the next best option is a product that delivers the same 10mg of TQ by another route.

That’s where Health Thru Nutrition Black Seed Oil comes in. Each softgel provides 500mg of oil standardized to 2% TQ — yielding the 10mg of TQ per capsule we’re after. It’s third-party verified and stable in softgel format, which matters because black seed oil is prone to oxidation and potency loss when exposed to light and air.7

However, there are also reasons to consider higher doses or different formats:

• Higher-dose use: For individuals with liver health concerns, larger doses of black seed oil are associated with more significant health benefits.33 In these cases, a 5% TQ product like TQ-Advanced Black Seed Oil softgels or liquid — capable of delivering 25-50mg of TQ per dose — may be the better choice.
• Topical use: Liquids can also lend themselves to skin routines. Clinical trials using ointments containing 10-20% black seed oil have improved eczema severity and quality of life, though oral use remains more widely studied.2 9 42

Safety

Advantage: Health Thru Nutrition Black Seed Oil 500mg 2% Thymoquinone

When it comes to safety, black seed oil has a long track record of use and is generally well tolerated in human studies.10 That said, supplements aren’t regulated like prescription drugs: manufacturers don’t have to prove efficacy or safety before sending their products to market. For consumers, the most reliable safeguard is choosing a brand that verifies purity and potency through independent third-party testing.

So Health Thru Nutrition Black Seed Oil earns the edge here because:

• It’s produced in NSF- and NPA-certified GMP facilities, verified through both in-house and third-party testing, and has certificates of analysis (COAs) available on request.
• It’s encapsulated in opaque softgels that limit light and air exposure, helping preserve potency from bottling to use.
• Each 500mg softgel provides 10mg of TQ, a dose consistent with published 90-day clinical safety trials.6

Health Thru Nutrition isn’t the only company that emphasizes safety. Other brands in this guide also undertake rigorous third-party testing — including Triquetra, which posts detailed quality standards on its website, and Eden Botanicals, which publishes lab results directly on its product page (though their oil is intended for topical use only).

But taken together, Health Thru Nutrition’s alignment with published safety data, verified potency, and stability in softgel form make it the standout choice for safety, even as Triquetra and Eden Botanicals demonstrate commendable quality practices in their own right.

Cost

Advantage: Prime Natural Organic Black Seed Oil

Comparing black seed oil supplements by price alone can be partially misleading. What also matters is the amount of TQ per serving, since that’s the compound most closely tied to benefits in clinical studies.5 A low-cost oil with very little TQ may end up being more expensive on a per-TQ basis than a pricier but more concentrated product.

The chart below shows each product’s cost per gram of oil and per 10mg of TQ:

For cost per gram of oil, Prime Natural comes out ahead. It offers a relatively strong TQ concentration for its price point, at more than three times the average found in typical black seed oils.5 That makes it a practical, budget-friendly choice for someone starting out.

The picture changes when you zero in on TQ content. Triquetra’s liquid carries a much higher concentration — 5% TQ, compared to the less than 0.5% average in most oils — and its cost per 10mg of TQ is effectively on par with Prime Natural.14

In short, the better value depends on what you’re prioritizing. Prime Natural makes sense if you want an inexpensive introduction to black seed oil, while Triquetra’s liquid is the stronger choice if maximizing TQ content at the lowest possible cost is your main goal.

Convenience

Advantage: Health Thru Nutrition Black Seed Oil 500mg 2% Thymoquinone

When it comes to supplements, “convenience” isn’t just about how easy they are to take. It also covers how simple dosing is, how well a product stores between uses, and how flexible the company makes things like shipping, subscriptions, and returns.

For black seed oil, capsules generally win on convenience: they’re easier to dose consistently, less messy than liquids, and protect the oil from light and air. That already makes both Health Thru Nutrition and Triquetra more convenient than liquid options like Prime Natural or Eden Botanicals.

Where Health Thru Nutrition edges out Triquetra is in its customer support:

• Return policy: Health Thru Nutrition offers a 90-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee with no restocking fees. Triquetra also provides a refund option, but it’s limited to 30 days.
• Subscription options and extras: Health Thru Nutrition provides 10% off with 30-, 60-, or 90-day subscription deliveries, plus a rewards program that can unlock discounts and occasional free gifts. Triquetra’s subscription discount is larger (15%) and allows the same interval options.

So while both are close on overall convenience, Health Thru Nutrition’s 90-day policy gives it the edge. That longer window may actually matter: many clinical trials of black seed oil last 4-12 weeks, so 90 days might be enough time for consumers to decide whether the supplement is working for them.11 12

It’s worth noting that Prime Natural offers one of the most flexible refund policies we’ve seen — essentially open-ended — but because it only sells liquid oil, it doesn’t overcome the dosing and storage challenges that make capsules more convenient day-to-day.

The chart below offers a quick reference for how our top picks compare in several major ways, including their costs, serving counts, and more.

Black seed oil is the edible oil pressed from the seeds of Nigella sativa — often called black seed or black cumin (not the same as culinary cumin, Cuminum cyminum). Chemically, it’s rich in terpenoid compounds: thymoquinone (TQ, the best-studied), thymohydroquinone, thymol, carvacrol, and α-hederin, which together are thought to underlie many of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects reported in research.3

The use of black seed oil has a long history:3

• Greco-Roman authors such as Hippocrates and Dioscorides referenced “melanthion,” the ancient Greek name for black seed oil.
• Medieval physician Avicenna discussed black seed oil’s restorative uses in The Canon of Medicine.
• Archaeologists have identified black seed in the tomb of Tutankhamun.

While those references don’t prove efficacy, they illustrate black seed oil’s long-standing use as a culinary spice and traditional remedy across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe and Asia.

How black seed oil is made

Most modern black seed oil is made by cold-pressing the tiny, crescent-shaped seeds of Nigella sativa, a process that squeezes out the oil without high heat or solvents. This method helps preserve compounds like TQ, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids, yielding the dark amber oil that ends up in bottles or softgels.13

Not all black seed oils are created equal, though. The amount of TQ can swing dramatically depending on the plant variety, where it’s grown, how the oil is extracted, and even how it’s stored. Analyses of retail products have found more than a 200-fold difference in TQ levels between brands — a reminder that two bottles labeled “black seed oil” may not deliver the same potency.5 For consumers, that variability makes it worth checking whether a product discloses its TQ content, since this compound appears central to many of the benefits under investigation.14

Black seed oil is also a delicate oil, highly susceptible to oxidation. Over time, exposure to heat, light, and oxygen can alter its flavor, reduce its nutritional value, and shorten its shelf life.19 That’s one reason softgels are so common — the capsules protect the oil from air and light, helping preserve potency until you take it.7

Researchers have identified several ways compounds in black seed oil, especially TQ, may act in the body:

Not every claim about black seed oil rests on the same kind of science. Some benefits have been tested in multiple human clinical trials, while others are supported only by small studies or early research in animals or cells. To make things clearer, we’ve grouped the potential benefits by the strength of the evidence:

• Strong: Multiple human trials with consistent results
• Moderate: Encouraging human data, but studies are smaller, shorter, or show mixed findings
• Emerging: Early signs from a few human trials, often backed by animal or cell research, but not yet conclusive
• Weak: Very limited human evidence; findings come from single small trials or mostly preclinical work

Here’s how the research stacks up:

The table above summarizes the key areas where black seed oil has been studied, along with the relative strength of the evidence. Below, we take a closer look at each potential benefit in more detail.

Glycemic control (prediabetes and type 2 diabetes)

Evidence strength: strong

Black seed oil has some of the most consistent evidence for supporting blood sugar control. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses show that it can modestly reduce fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), two key markers of glycemic regulation.

• A 2020 meta-analysis of 23 RCTs found that black seed supplementation improved fasting glucose, HbA1c, and insulin resistance.21 Across trials, effective doses generally ranged from 1,000mg to 3,000mg/day of oil (capsules or liquid) or 2-3g/day of seed powder, taken for at least eight weeks. Some studies ran as long as a year, with benefits maintained over time.
• A 2022 meta-analysis pooling 11 RCTs confirmed the above results, showing significant reductions in fasting glucose and HbA1c in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Benefits were most consistent in trials lasting at least eight weeks, with doses ranging from 2g to 3g/day of seed powder or roughly 1,000-2,000mg/day of oil.8

Taken together, the consistency across multiple human trials and meta-analyses gives this benefit a strong rating.

Cholesterol and blood pressure

Evidence strength: Moderate

Research suggests black seed oil can produce modest but measurable improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, particularly cholesterol and blood pressure. Most studies are small and short-term, which is why this benefit is rated moderate.

• A 2016 meta-analysis of 17 RCTs found that black seed supplementation reduced total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. In subgroup analyses, oil was more effective than powder for lowering total and LDL cholesterol, while powder was linked to small HDL increases. Both forms lowered triglycerides. Most trials used 1,000-3,000mg/day of oil or 2-3g/day of seed powder for 6-12 weeks.31
• Another 2016 meta-analysis of 11 RCTs focused on blood pressure and reported average reductions of about 3mmHg systolic and 3mmHg diastolic compared to placebo. Trials most often used 1,000-2,000mg/day of oil for 8-12 weeks, though some studies tested seed powder (200-2,000mg/day) and found it produced stronger and more consistent effects than oil.11
• A 2024 meta-analysis updated the lipid findings, again reporting significant improvements in LDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol across diverse populations.32 The strongest effects appeared in people with metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes, though changes were generally small in absolute terms.

Overall, black seed oil shows a modest but consistent ability to improve lipid profiles and slightly lower blood pressure, though larger and longer trials are still needed to confirm its role in long-term heart health.

Liver health

Evidence strength: moderate

Black seed has been tested in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with some encouraging results. Several small RCTs and a meta-analysis suggest it can improve liver enzymes and reduce fat buildup on imaging, though findings are not entirely consistent.

• A 2019 double-blind RCT gave 5mL/day of standardized black seed oil for 12 weeks. Participants had significant reductions in ALT and AST (liver enzymes that rise with liver stress or damage), as well as ultrasound-graded liver fat, compared to placebo.33
• A 2023 systematic review pooling RCTs in NAFLD concluded that black seed supplementation lowered ALT, AST, and steatosis scores, but highlighted variability in protocols and quality.34

Taken together, these results point to a potential supportive role for black seed in fatty liver management, but the trials are small and short-term. It should be considered adjunctive to lifestyle measures like diet and exercise, not a replacement.

Seasonal allergies

Evidence strength: emerging

Black seed’s anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating actions have made it a candidate for seasonal allergy relief. Clinical research is still limited, but a few randomized controlled trials suggest it may help with nasal symptoms like sneezing, itching, congestion, and a runny nose.

• A 2024 double-blind RCT tested a 250mg capsule of black seed oil enriched to 5% TQ, with an absorption enhancer (2.5mg piperine), in people with seasonal allergic rhinitis.25 The active group reported significant reductions in overall symptom scores compared to placebo, with the strongest effects in nasal congestion and sneezing.
• Earlier small trials using oral black seed capsules also found improvements in allergy symptom scores, though products varied in TQ content and results have not been consistent across all measures.35 36

Because trials remain few and short-term, the evidence is rated emerging. Standardized, TQ-rich oils look most promising, but larger and longer studies are needed before black seed can be considered a reliable therapy for seasonal allergies.

Asthma

Evidence strength: emerging

Black seed has been tested as an add-on to standard asthma treatment. Early results show it may help patients gain better symptom control, but the evidence base is still small.

• A 2017 double-blind RCT in 80 adults with partly controlled asthma found that adding 1g/day of black seed oil for 12 weeks significantly improved Asthma Control Test (ACT) scores and some lung function measures compared to placebo. Symptoms such as wheezing and night awakenings were reduced, though changes in spirometry — a standard lung function test — were inconsistent.37
• Meta-analyses pooling these small trials suggest a modest benefit for asthma control when black seed is used alongside inhalers, but not enough evidence to recommend it as a stand-alone therapy.26

Overall, black seed appears promising as an adjunct in asthma management, but larger and longer trials are needed before it can be considered a reliable option. It should never replace prescribed inhalers or controller medications.

Skin health

Evidence strength: emerging

Black seed has a long history of topical use for skin ailments, and early trials support some of these claims. Evidence is still limited, but results suggest potential benefits for acne and possibly other inflammatory skin conditions.

• A 2020 double-blind RCT tested a topical black seed hydrogel in people with mild to moderate acne.27 After 60 days, participants using the hydrogel showed a significant reduction in lesion counts compared to placebo. The product was well tolerated and no major side effects were reported.
• A 2014 RCT in psoriasis compared oral, topical, and combination black seed regimens.28 All groups showed some symptom improvement, but results were inconsistent, and the study was small, limiting conclusions.
• Additional pilot studies and early clinical evidence suggest black seed may help reduce skin inflammation, support wound healing, and inhibit bacterial and fungal growth.9 These mechanisms align with anecdotal use, but large-scale clinical trials are still lacking.

Overall, black seed shows promise for skin health — particularly acne — but current evidence is too limited to recommend it as a primary treatment for chronic skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema.

Helicobacter pylori (stomach bacteria)

Evidence strength: emerging

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common stomach bacterium linked to ulcers and, in some cases, stomach cancer. Eradication typically requires “triple therapy” — two antibiotics plus an acid-reducing drug.38

• A 2010 randomized trial compared Nigella sativa seed powder (2g/day) plus omeprazole to standard triple therapy.29 Eradication rates with black seed were comparable to triple therapy, suggesting a potential role as an alternative when antibiotics aren’t tolerated.
• A 2023 follow-up trial tested Nigella sativa as an add-on to standard regimens and found improved eradication rates compared to conventional therapy alone.39 The authors concluded that black seed may strengthen, but not replace, standard antibiotic treatment.

Overall, black seed shows potential as part of an adjunct or alternative approach to H. pylori eradication, but evidence is limited to a few small trials. Larger high-quality studies are needed before it can be considered a reliable option.

Male fertility

Evidence strength: weak

The best available evidence comes from a small double-blind RCT in infertile men. Participants who took 5mL/day of black seed oil for two months showed significant improvements in semen parameters, including sperm count, motility, and morphology, compared to placebo.30

While encouraging, these results are preliminary and haven’t yet been confirmed by larger or follow-up trials.

Hair health

Evidence strength: weak

A few small studies suggest topical products with black seed oil may support hair density or reduce shedding.

• In one 90-day trial, a multi-herbal oil blend that included black seed improved hair thickness and density compared to placebo.61
• Another study found a lotion with black seed extract reduced hair loss in people with telogen effluvium (a temporary form of hair shedding).62

Because both trials used combination products and were small in size, the evidence is preliminary and far from conclusive.

Most clinical studies on black seed oil focus on how much oil or seed people consumed each day, but they usually don’t say how much TQ was in that dose. Because of that, we’ve assumed an average of 0.5% TQ when translating study doses. This reflects survey data on commercial oils, but the same work also found TQ levels ranging nearly sevenfold between brands.14 That wide variability is why more trials should standardize their oils by TQ content, something we hope is done more in the future.

Our chart below converts the studied oil doses into equivalent amounts of oil at 1%, 2%, or 5% TQ. That way, if your supplement is standardized, you can cross-check your bottle against what’s been tested in human studies.

One takeaway here is that 500mg/day of a 2% TQ oil lands right in the effective range for blood sugar and cholesterol support.

A note on topical use

Black seed oil isn’t only taken by mouth. Creams, gels, and ointments have been studied for acne, eczema, psoriasis, and wound healing.9 These are applied directly to the skin and don’t follow the same dosing rules as oral supplements. Formulations are often prepared using 10-20% black seed oil, applied twice daily.2 9 42 Results so far are promising, but there’s no universal standard for topical strength yet.

Overall, black seed oil has been well-tolerated in human studies. The most common side effects are mild digestive issues, like nausea or bloating.3 In a phase 1 safety trial, participants took 200mg per day of a 5% TQ oil for 90 days without serious adverse events, supporting its short-term safety profile.6 Questions remain about safe upper limits and longer-term use, which researchers are only beginning to address.

Safe upper limits and long-term use

Because most human trials report oil doses but not TQ content, setting firm limits is challenging. A laboratory analysis of commercial oils and capsules found TQ content varied from 3mg to 809mg per 100g. Using that data, the authors estimated that 30mg/day of TQ from 4mL of a high-TQ oil was unlikely to be harmful and recommended an upper safe limit of 48.6mg/day of TQ for adults.5 In practical terms, that aligns with the top end of oil doses studied in humans — about 5mL/day (roughly 5g).

For long-term use, most trials last 8-12 weeks, but a few have extended out to 12 months.44 For example, a yearlong trial in type 2 diabetes patients using 2g/day of seed powder reported sustained improvements in glucose control and cholesterol without safety concerns.45 While this is encouraging, the number of long-term studies is still small, and more work is needed to confirm safety beyond a year — especially at higher TQ concentrations.

Allergic or dermatologic reactions (topical)

When used on the skin, black seed oil is usually well tolerated. Gels and creams containing 10-20% black seed oil have been tested for acne, eczema, and psoriasis with positive results and no serious side effects.2 9 42 While most people tolerate it well, there have been rare reports of severe allergic reactions — sometimes just a rash on the skin, but occasionally a reaction that affected the whole body.46 47 If you’re trying a topical for the first time, patch testing on a small area is a sensible precaution.

Black seed oil isn’t a cure-all, but research suggests it can provide adjunctive support — small, incremental benefits layered onto standard care. Here’s where it may make sense:

Who are they not for?

Black seed oil is considered safe for most healthy adults, but it isn’t risk-free or universally appropriate. Certain groups should avoid it or use it only under medical supervision, and a few popular claims about its effects go well beyond what research supports. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Best for general health

Founded more than four decades ago, Health Thru Nutrition is a U.S.-based supplement company that produces its products in NSF- and NPA-certified GMP facilities. Each formula undergoes both in-house and third-party testing to confirm purity, potency, and freedom from contaminants.

What sets Health Thru Nutrition’s Black Seed Oil apart is the close match to an important study:

• A human safety trial of concentrated black seed oil used a 200mg softgel standardized to 5% TQ — a format that delivered 10mg of TQ daily and proved well tolerated over 90 days.6
• We searched for a reputable supplement in that exact format and couldn’t find one on the U.S. market. Health Thru Nutrition arrives at the same benchmark dose from a different angle: a 500mg capsule standardized to 2% TQ, which also yields 10mg of TQ per serving.

For most people, that makes Health Thru Nutrition’s product a practical sweet spot — high enough to support meaningful benefits for markers of cholesterol and metabolic health, without venturing into the higher-dose territory where safety evidence is more limited.41 42

Pricing, subscriptions, and shipping

Compared to liquids like Prime Natural and Eden Botanicals, Health Thru Nutrition looks higher on a per-gram basis — but that’s expected. Capsules almost always cost more than oils or powders. The tradeoff is convenience and stability: capsules are easier to dose and better protect against oxidation.7 When stacked against another capsule option like Triquetra, Health Thru Nutrition comes out cheaper per dose.

Here’s how Health Thru Nutrition’s costs break down:

The catch: subscriptions can only be delivered every 30, 60, or 90 days. At one capsule daily, the 100-count bottle almost lines up but not quite, so some planning may be required to get the most out of the discount.

Health Thru Nutrition’s rewards program adds another layer of value, with points redeemable for coupons or occasional free products. Shipping is $7.95 on orders under $60, but free once you hit that threshold — which usually means two or more bottles or combining supplements.

Refunds and guarantees

Health Thru Nutrition backs its supplements with a 90-day money-back guarantee, one of the most generous policies in this guide. By comparison, Triquetra limits refunds to 30 days, and Eden Botanicals only offers partial refunds.

The three-month window is meaningful: most black seed oil clinical trials run 8-12 weeks, so you have a realistic chance to judge results before the guarantee expires.44

Best high-dose softgel and best liquid

Founded in 2010, Triquetra Health is a U.S. supplement company that centers its brand on plant-based nutrition. Its products are manufactured in GMP-certified facilities and undergo third-party testing, with testing partners detailed on the company’s website.

What makes Triquetra’s black seed oil stand out is its 5% TQ, far above the 0.3-0.5% average found in most oils.5 That potency is available in two formats:

• Softgels: Each capsule contains 500mg of oil standardized to 5% TQ (25mg TQ). This dosage may appeal to users aiming closer to the higher end of the published safety threshold (48.6mg/day TQ), which may overlap with amounts explored in liver health studies.5 33
• Liquid: Each 2oz bottle delivers about 60g of oil with 3,000mg of TQ total. It offers flexible dosing for higher oral intakes and can also be used topically.

This elevated concentration makes Triquetra especially attractive for individuals seeking higher-dose use cases. Still, it’s advisable to remain below the estimated upper limit of 48.6mg/day TQ for adults.5

There’s one important consideration with the liquid format: testers described the taste as distinctly bitter and peppery — more intense than Prime Natural’s oil, likely due to its higher TQ concentration. While manageable, some users may find it challenging for daily use.

Pricing, subscriptions, and shipping

With its unusually high 5% TQ concentration, Triquetra comes in at a higher sticker price than budget-friendly oils like Prime Natural. But once you factor in potency, the softgel’s 25mg of TQ per capsule and the liquid’s 3,000mg per bottle make Triquetra one of the most cost-efficient ways to secure concentrated TQ.

Here’s how Triquetra’s costs break down:

Subscriptions provide 15% savings with flexible delivery every 30, 45, 60, or 90 days. The 60-day interval pairs neatly with the 60-count softgel bottle, making it easy to line up refills without leftover doses.

The main catch is shipping. Orders under $75 incur a fee of around $7 (that’s what it cost to ship to our Southwest U.S. tester), which adds noticeably to the cost of single bottles. Free shipping kicks in once your order total reaches $75, which makes single-bottle purchases less cost-effective.

Refunds and guarantees

Triquetra offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on direct purchases, giving new customers about a month to see how the product works for them. That window is shorter than Health Thru Nutrition’s 90-day policy, but still enough time to judge tolerability and early effects, especially since some black seed oil studies report changes in lipids and inflammatory markers within 4-8 weeks.8 63

If you purchase through Amazon, you’ll need to initiate a return or replacement through Amazon’s system first. Because Amazon restricts returns for certain supplement categories, your request may be redirected back to Triquetra. In those cases, the company still honors its 30-day money-back guarantee, but you’ll need to complete that extra step of contacting Amazon before Triquetra processes the refund.

Best topical for skin health

Founded in 1985, Eden Botanicals is a California-based supplier specializing in essential oils and extracts. While many of the companies in this guide market ingestible supplements, Eden is firmly rooted in aromatherapy and topical wellness. Its Black Cumin CO₂ extract is organic, standardized to about 3% TQ, and produced via CO₂ extraction — a method that may preserve volatile compounds more effectively than cold-pressing.64

Another advantage of Eden Botanicals is its testing transparency. Few companies publish third-party test results directly on their product pages, but Eden does, making it easier for customers to verify purity and potency. Eden also provides practical guidance for use: for example, they suggest diluting black cumin oil to 5-20% in a carrier oil such as sunflower or jojoba for safe skin applications. These instructions are found on the company website.

Clinical research supports topical uses of black seed oil in skin health. Ointments containing 10-20% black seed oil have improved symptoms and quality of life in people with eczema, and preliminary studies suggest benefits for acne and temporary hair shedding.2 9 42 62 The evidence base is strongest for skin, and more limited for hair, but Eden’s concentration and dilution guidance make it a viable option for those interested in topical applications.

Pricing, subscriptions, and shipping

Eden Botanicals offers more size options than any other company in this guide — from tiny trial samples to bulk kilos — making it flexible for people who want to test first or commit long-term.

Here’s how pricing looks across the range:

This pricing structure makes Eden Botanicals unique in two ways. First, it lowers the risk for new users: a $2 sample vial or $10 half-ounce bottle lets you try the oil in skin routines without committing to a larger purchase. Second, the bulk options become cost-effective for formulators, aestheticians, or anyone making their own blends, with per-gram prices dropping steadily as size increases.

One consideration is shipping. Costs vary by weight and destination — for us, sending a 1oz bottle to the Southwest U.S. was $10.25. Free shipping applies once your order total reaches $75. Unlike Health Thru Nutrition or Triquetra, there are no subscription discounts.

Refunds and guarantees

Eden’s return policy is more restrictive than those of the other companies in this guide. Unopened items can be returned within two weeks for a full refund, but opened bottles incur a 50% processing fee. Because of the short window — and the fact that essential oils can trigger sensitivities in some people — it makes sense to start with a small bottle or sample. Performing a small patch test on the skin before wider use is also a smart step to gauge tolerance before committing to larger sizes.

Best budget liquid and budget topical

Founded in 2015, Prime Natural is a U.S.-based company focused on organic oils and supplements, including tamanu and moringa oils. Its black seed oil is USDA Organic, third-party tested (with verified TQ content), and consistently priced well below most competitors.

At 1.5% TQ, Prime Natural sits below high-potency oils like Triquetra (5%) but above the typical 0.3-0.5% found in many cold-pressed oils.14 That makes it roughly three times stronger than average, and the taste reflects it: still strong and peppery, but generally easier to tolerate than Triquetra’s more intense oil. For many users, it’s an affordable entry point for trying black seed oil in its liquid form.

Pricing, subscriptions, and shipping

Prime Natural’s biggest advantage is price. The company offers multiple sizes, plus bulk discounts for its 4oz bottle. Subscriptions save you an additional 5% and can be set for one-, two-, or three-month intervals.

Here’s how the costs break down:

Shipping is free on all U.S. orders, which makes these per-gram and per-TQ costs fully accurate, without hidden add-ons. Additionally, it should be noted that bulk discounts are only available for the 4oz bottles.

Refunds and guarantees

Prime Natural lists an unusual promise right on the bottle: “If you are not completely satisfied, please contact us for a full refund.” When asked to clarify, the company confirmed that the policy has no strict time limit and applies to both Amazon and direct purchases — a rare level of openness in the supplement space. In practice, that makes trying Prime Natural essentially risk-free, giving new users confidence to see how the oil fits into their routine without the pressure of a narrow return window.

Maybe you’re curious about black seed oil but want to compare it with better-studied options, or perhaps you’re already taking it and wondering what else might support similar goals. Whether it’s for blood sugar, cholesterol, or skin health, there are several alternatives you can consider — some of which can even complement black seed oil.