Does Medical Medium Recommend Black Seed Oil? What We Could and Couldn't Find
If you have searched for black seed oil and Medical Medium together, you were probably hoping to find what Anthony William recommends: a dose, a protocol, or a warning. We went looking for the same thing. As of 20 October 2026, we could not find any statement by Anthony William about black seed oil or Nigella sativa on his website, his recent Instagram posts, or his YouTube channel. What we did find are two older posts in which he praises the "black seeds" of papaya and watermelon, which are different plants entirely. This article sets out exactly what we checked, where the confusion may come from, what he has said about oils in general, and what the human research on black seed oil actually shows.
For our own oil, see our cold-pressed Ethiopian black seed oil.
The Short Answer
- As of 20 October 2026, we could not find a published recommendation from Anthony William (Medical Medium) for or against black seed oil, black cumin or Nigella sativa. We searched every page of medicalmedium.com, the captions of his most recent 1,500 Instagram posts, and his YouTube channel.
- His website does praise the black seeds inside papaya and the black seeds in some watermelons. Those are papaya seeds and watermelon seeds, not black seed (Nigella sativa), and the two are easy to mix up in a search.
- We could not search the full text of his books or the audio of his podcasts, so we cannot rule out a mention there. If you know of one, tell us and we will update this page.
- On oils in general, his site says some seed oils (canola, soy and corn) are harmful, and that people with chronic illness may do better keeping all fats low, olive oil included.
- The human research on black seed oil is a separate question. A 2025 meta-analysis of 82 randomised controlled trials found small improvements in blood pressure, blood lipids and blood sugar markers in trial participants.
Who Anthony William Is, Stated Accurately
Anthony William publishes under the name Medical Medium. He is the author of a series of books, including Medical Medium, Liver Rescue, Thyroid Healing, Life-Changing Foods, Celery Juice, Cleanse to Heal and Brain Saver, and he is widely associated with the celery juice trend. His official YouTube channel describes him as having the ability to converse with what he calls the Spirit of Compassion, which he presents as the source of his health information.
His own website is clear about his qualifications. The disclaimer at the foot of his blog pages states that neither Anthony William nor his company is a licensed medical doctor or other formally licensed healthcare practitioner, and that the content is not a substitute for professional medical advice. We mention this because it comes from him, and because it helps readers weigh any health advice, from any source, in the right way.
He has a large audience: his official channels, linked from medicalmedium.com, include Instagram (@medicalmedium), YouTube (@MedicalMediumAnthonyWilliam), TikTok, X, Facebook, Rumble and a podcast. That reach is exactly why people search his name alongside products they are considering.
What We Checked, and What We Found
We searched each of his official channels for the terms people use for this oil: black seed, blackseed, black cumin, nigella, kalonji, black caraway and habbat. Here is what we found, as of 20 October 2026.
| Source | What we checked | Result |
|---|---|---|
| medicalmedium.com | Every page listed in the site's sitemap (3,747 pages): blog posts, supplement lists, podcast pages, FAQs and book pages | No mention of Nigella sativa, black cumin or kalonji. Two pages mention "black seeds": papaya and watermelon. |
| Instagram @medicalmedium | Captions of the most recent 1,500 posts (19 October 2025 to 20 October 2026) | No mention. "Cumin" appears only as ordinary cumin in recipes. |
| YouTube @MedicalMediumAnthonyWilliam | The channel's own search for "black seed" and "nigella" | No video titled on the topic. "Nigella" returned no results. We did not transcribe video audio. |
| His books | A Google Books exact-phrase search for "black seed" across his titles | No results for that phrase. We could not search the full text of every book. |
| Podcast audio | Not checked | No transcripts were available to search. |
Pages on his site that you might expect to cover it do not. His post on cumin is about ordinary cumin (Cuminum cyminum). His podcast page on seed oils names canola, soy and corn oil, not black seed oil. His article on supplements to avoid does not mention it either.
It is important to be precise about what this means. Not finding something is not the same as proving it was never said. Anthony William has written many books and recorded many hours of audio, and we could not search all of it. What we can say is that, as of 20 October 2026, we could not find a verifiable statement from him about black seed oil in any of the places we checked. If a page or a video tells you that "Medical Medium recommends black seed oil", it is worth asking for the source.
The Black Seeds He Does Write About: Papaya and Watermelon
There is one likely source of confusion, and it is worth explaining clearly because the words overlap. Two posts on medicalmedium.com, both from 2015, praise "black seeds", but neither is about Nigella sativa.
- Papaya (posted 7 May 2015). His papaya post says the black seeds inside the fruit are edible and can act as an "effective vermicide or worm/parasite remover". These are the round, peppery seeds you scoop out of a papaya (Carica papaya).
- Watermelon (posted 18 April 2015). His watermelon post encourages people to eat the black seeds of seeded watermelons, describing benefits for the nervous system. These are watermelon seeds (Citrullus lanatus).
Black seed, the plant this article and our oil are about, is Nigella sativa. It is also called black cumin, kalonji or habbat al-barakah. It belongs to a different plant family altogether, and its oil is cold-pressed from the seed itself. So when someone remembers "Medical Medium says black seeds remove parasites", the post they are most likely recalling is about papaya.
| Black seed | Papaya seeds | Watermelon seeds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Nigella sativa | Carica papaya | Citrullus lanatus |
| Other names | Black cumin, kalonji, habbat al-barakah | Papaya pips | Watermelon pips |
| What they look like | Small, angular, matte black seeds from a flowering herb | Round, glossy seeds inside the fruit, peppery taste | Flat, oval seeds inside the fruit |
| Mentioned on medicalmedium.com? | Not found as of 20 October 2026 | Yes (2015 post) | Yes (2015 post) |
The research on the two seeds is separate too. The papaya-seed claim has been tested in one small pilot trial: 60 Nigerian children with intestinal parasites were given either an elixir of dried papaya seeds and honey or honey alone, and stools cleared in 23 of 30 versus 5 of 30 a week later (Okeniyi et al., Journal of Medicinal Food, 2007; PMID 17472487). For Nigella sativa, the human evidence on worms is thinner still: a single small 1991 field trial in children with tapeworm infection compared black seed with a standard medicine, niclosamide, by counting worm eggs in stool (Akhtar and Riffat, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 1991; PMID 1942479). Neither study is a basis for treating yourself, and if you suspect a parasitic infection you need a stool test and a doctor. We cover this in more depth in our guide to where black seed fits in a natural parasite cleanse.
What Medical Medium Says About Oils in General
Although we found nothing on black seed oil specifically, his site does set out a general view on oils that is relevant to anyone following his approach. In a podcast page published in February 2025, he says that some seed oils, naming canola, soy and corn oil, are harmful, and that it is a mistake to treat every seed oil as equally damaging. He also says that for someone with chronic illness, all oils can slow healing because of their fat content, that even healthier fats such as avocado, nuts and olive oil can be burdensome, and that people who are unwell should keep fats low.
That is his position, stated as fairly as we can. It does not mention black seed oil, so we would not infer what he thinks of it. If you follow his approach closely, the honest takeaway is that his published guidance on fats in general, rather than any specific statement on black seed oil, is the relevant part.
Our approach is different: we look at what controlled human trials have measured, and we report the size of the effect and the limits of the evidence. That is the subject of the next section.
What the Human Research on Black Seed Oil Shows
Black seed has been studied in many small clinical trials, mostly using capsules of oil or powdered seed alongside usual care. Pooled analyses of those trials give the clearest picture. They measure changes in markers such as blood pressure and cholesterol in trial participants. They do not show that black seed oil treats or prevents any disease.
| Area | What the pooled human trials found | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiometabolic markers overall | 82 randomised controlled trials (5,026 participants; 200 to 4,600 mg a day for 1 to 48 weeks). Improvements in blood pressure, blood lipids, blood sugar markers and body measurements in pooled data. | Jafari et al., Pharmacological Research, 2025 (PMID 40714301) |
| Blood lipids | 50 trials. Total cholesterol about 17 mg/dL lower, LDL about 18 mg/dL lower and triglycerides about 16 mg/dL lower than control. | Hallajzadeh et al., Phytotherapy Research, 2020 (PMID 32394508) |
| Blood sugar | Fasting glucose about 15 mg/dL lower and HbA1c about 0.45 percentage points lower across trials. A separate review of 7 trials in type 2 diabetes found fasting glucose about 18 mg/dL lower. | Hallajzadeh 2020; Daryabeygi-Khotbehsara et al., Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2017 (PMID 29154069) |
| Blood pressure | 11 trials, 860 people, average 8 weeks. Systolic about 3.3 mmHg and diastolic about 2.8 mmHg lower than control. | Sahebkar et al., Journal of Hypertension, 2016 (PMID 27512971) |
| Inflammation markers | No significant effect on CRP, TNF-α, total antioxidant capacity or MDA in the 50-trial analysis. | Hallajzadeh 2020 |
Three things help put these numbers in proportion. First, the effects are modest: a 3 mmHg fall in blood pressure is real in pooled data, but it is not a substitute for prescribed treatment. Second, many of the trials are small and short, and products vary widely, from powdered seed to oil to extracts, which makes it hard to compare one study with another. Third, results on inflammation markers are mixed, so we would not describe black seed oil as anti-inflammatory for people.
If you want the detail behind a specific area, our articles on black seed oil and blood sugar, black seed oil and cholesterol and what the human studies on black seed oil show go further.
Using Black Seed Oil Sensibly
Because trials show black seed can shift blood sugar and blood pressure readings, the people who most need to check with a doctor first are those taking medicine for diabetes, blood pressure or blood clotting. The same applies if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or preparing for surgery. Our guides to black seed oil side effects and safety and drug interactions cover this in full.
If you decide to try it, three checks matter more than any endorsement:
- Cold-pressed and unrefined. Thymoquinone, the compound most studied in black seed, is sensitive to heat and light, so high-heat processing and clear bottles work against it.
- A stated thymoquinone figure. A specific percentage, backed by an independent test, is the only number that lets you compare one bottle with another.
- A certificate you can see. A brand that tests its oil can show you the result. "High potency" on a label is not a measurement.
For a fuller walkthrough, see our guide to choosing a quality black seed oil. If you are comparing what other health personalities have said about black seed oil, we have also looked at Dr Berg's published advice, the Dr Sebi name and the viral claims attributed to Barbara O'Neill in the same way.
Why Sidr & Stone
This article is about checking sources rather than repeating them. We apply the same rule to our own oil and publish facts you can verify.
- Independently tested at 2.67% thymoquinone in its first batch (August 2025), with every batch tested.
- Tested by Analytice, an ISO 9001-certified French analytical testing service, which issues a certificate of analysis.
- Organically grown Ethiopian highland Nigella sativa, chosen after a 36-supplier evaluation.
- Cold-pressed below 40°C to protect the heat-sensitive thymoquinone.
- 100% pure: a single ingredient, with nothing added.
- Unrefined — not refined or deodorised after pressing.
- Bottled in matte black UV-protective glass.
- Halal-suitable: one plant ingredient and nothing else.
- 10% of profits go to charity, with fulfilment in the UK, EU, and US.
We will not tell you that any well-known figure endorses our oil, and we will not tell you it is the strongest on the market; those are the kinds of claims this article asks you to check. What we will say is that every batch is independently tested, our first batch measured 2.67% thymoquinone (Analytice, August 2025), and the certificate is there to see.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medical Medium recommend black seed oil?
As of 20 October 2026, we could not find a recommendation for or against black seed oil from Anthony William on medicalmedium.com, in his most recent 1,500 Instagram posts, or on his YouTube channel. We could not search the full text of his books or his podcast audio.
Why do people link Medical Medium with black seeds?
His website praises the black seeds inside papaya, describing them as a parasite remover, and the black seeds in watermelon. Those are papaya and watermelon seeds, not Nigella sativa, so a search for "black seeds" can easily blur the two.
How can I check whether a "Medical Medium says" claim is genuine?
Ask for the source: a link to a page on medicalmedium.com, a specific post on his official Instagram, a video on his official YouTube channel, or a book title and page number. If none is given, treat the claim as unverified.
Is black cumin the same as cumin?
No. Black cumin is another name for black seed (Nigella sativa). Ordinary cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is a different plant, and it is ordinary cumin that his cumin post discusses.
How is Sidr & Stone black seed oil different from other black seed oils?
We publish our first batch's figure, 2.67% thymoquinone (Analytice, August 2025), and every batch is independently tested by Analytice, an ISO 9001-certified French analytical testing service. The oil is cold-pressed below 40°C from organically grown Ethiopian highland seed, unrefined and bottled in UV-protective glass.
What does the research say black seed oil does?
Pooled human trials show small improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar markers in participants, with mixed results for inflammation markers. These are changes in measurements during trials, not evidence that it treats any condition.
Is black seed oil a medicine?
No. Black seed oil is a food supplement, not a medicine. It has a long traditional history and an interesting body of research around thymoquinone, and can be a worthwhile part of a healthy routine — but it does not cure diseases and is not a substitute for medical care. Be cautious of any black seed oil marketed with specific disease-cure claims.
Final Thoughts
The honest answer to "what does Medical Medium say about black seed oil?" is that, as far as we could find, he has not said anything about it in the places we could check. The black seeds he does praise belong to papaya and watermelon, and his broader guidance for people who are unwell is to keep all fats low. Anyone who tells you otherwise should be able to point you to the source.
That leaves the question most readers really have: is black seed oil worth taking? The fairest answer comes from human trials, which show small, measurable changes in blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar markers, and mixed results elsewhere. It is a food supplement worth considering with realistic expectations, and a conversation with your doctor if you take regular medication.
If you decide to try it, choose an oil that tells you what is in it. Our cold-pressed Ethiopian black seed oil, every batch independently tested (first batch: 2.67% thymoquinone (Analytice, Aug 2025)), is available now, with fulfilment in the UK, EU, and US.
Our black seed oil is pressed from organically grown Ethiopian highland Nigella sativa, but it is not certified organic: formal organic certification is hard to obtain in the Ethiopian highlands, so we tell you how the seed is grown rather than claim a certificate we do not hold.
Shop Sidr & Stone Cold-Pressed Ethiopian Black Seed Oil — Every Batch Independently Tested →
References
- Jafari A, Mardani H, Faghfouri AH, et al. Does Nigella sativa supplementation improve cardiovascular disease risk factors? A comprehensive GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of 82 randomized controlled trials. Pharmacological Research. 2025;219:107882. PMID 40714301.
- Hallajzadeh J, Milajerdi A, Mobini M, et al. Effects of Nigella sativa on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and biomarkers of inflammatory and oxidative stress: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Phytotherapy Research. 2020;34(10):2586-2608. PMID 32394508.
- Daryabeygi-Khotbehsara R, Golzarand M, Ghaffari MP, Djafarian K. Nigella sativa improves glucose homeostasis and serum lipids in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2017;35:6-13. PMID 29154069.
- Sahebkar A, Soranna D, Liu X, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of supplementation with Nigella sativa (black seed) on blood pressure. Journal of Hypertension. 2016;34(11):2127-2135. PMID 27512971.
- Okeniyi JA, Ogunlesi TA, Oyelami OA, Adeyemi LA. Effectiveness of dried Carica papaya seeds against human intestinal parasitosis: a pilot study. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2007;10(1):194-196. PMID 17472487.
- Akhtar MS, Riffat S. Field trial of Saussurea lappa roots against nematodes and Nigella sativa seeds against cestodes in children. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 1991;41(8):185-187. PMID 1942479.
- Medical Medium. Papaya (posted 7 May 2015); Watermelon (posted 18 April 2015); Seed Oils: Are They Damaging You? (posted 26 February 2025). medicalmedium.com, accessed 20 October 2026.
Disclaimer: This article describes publicly available material published by Anthony William (Medical Medium) and the published research on black seed at the time of writing, 20 October 2026; his published material and the research may change, and readers should check current sources. References to Anthony William and Medical Medium are made in good faith and fair terms, and Sidr & Stone is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Black seed oil is a food supplement, not a medicine, and is not a substitute for medical treatment of any condition. For any health concern, consult a qualified medical professional.