The black seeds are used all over the world in many different forms. These include:
Whole Black Cumin Seeds: The cleaned and dried seeds of the black cumin are available in a variety of package sizes, ranging from a couple of ounces to many kilograms. These seeds are used in a number of ways.
- Used whole as a spice in the preparation of curries, pastries and cheese. It is often used as a substitute for pepper. In India it one of the spices in ‘panch phoran’, a popular spice combination.
- The seeds can be used to prepare tea by boiling a tablespoon-full in water for over ten minutes.
- Powdered black cumin seeds can be mixed with honey and garlic powder and can be taken as a medicine.
- Mixed with vinegar to use as a medicine.
- Whole seeds are used for garnishing breads, nans and salads.
- Can also be eaten whole by chewing the seeds (although a little bitter and spicy)
Even though there are no known toxicities to the black cumin seeds, some experts advise to restrict its consumption to a maximum 75grams per day.
Black Cumin Seed Oil: This is the most popular commercially available preparation of the black cumin. It is available as bottled oil or as capsules. The oil is used for internal consumption as well as for external use. The daily dose is as per the instruction of the manufacturer.
Black Cumin Tea: Commercial tea preparations of black cumin are available with black cumin alone or blended with other herbs and green tea.
Black Cumin Cosmetics: Preparations meant only for external application are supplied by some manufacturers.
Black Cumin Honey: This is a preparation of black cumin powder blended in honey. Sometimes contain other herbs also.
Black Cumin Nutribars: These are highly nutritious energy bars prepared with black cumin, sesame, molasses and sometimes dates.