A Powerful Natural Ally: Black Seed and Heart Health Black seed (Nigella sativa) has been used for centuries in traditional wellness practices. Today, modern research is continuing to uncover just how broad its potential health benefits may be. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in Pharmacological Research brought together findings from 82 controlled studies involving more than 5,000 participants. The goal was to better understand how black seed may influence risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The results were impressive. Researchers