Black cumin oil: a must-know!

Updated on 2026-01-20

Summary: Black cumin oil: a must-know!

In the midst of a winter marked by a long season of colds and flu, Lynn Goneau, naturopath at La Boîte à Grains, suggests a natural combination to support immunity: black cumin oil (also known as nigella) and oregano oil. Used since ancient times and nicknamed "the gold of the Pharaohs", black cumin oil is recognized for its powerful anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It stimulates the immune system, supports the respiratory tract and digestion, and even helps manage stress and inflammation.

Combined with oregano oil - highly effective but concentrated - it offers complete winter protection when properly diluted, notably to prevent and relieve respiratory infections.

1) Why talk about it in winter

Cold and flu season is drawing on, and the immune system is under heavy strain. Black cumin oil acts as a natural immune tonic.

2) Black cumin oil (nigella)

Rich in vitamins, enzymes, trace elements and omega-3s, it is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant. It supports immunity, the respiratory tract and digestion, and can help combat anxiety and allergies.

3) Oregano oil: powerful but handle with care

Highly concentrated, it is renowned for fighting respiratory and digestive infections and sore throats. It should always be diluted (water or olive oil) to avoid irritating mucous membranes.

4) The winning duo

A spoonful of black cumin oil combined with 2 drops of oregano oil, creates effective natural winter protection, ideal for prevention or support at the onset of symptoms.

About the author

Lynn Goneau, Certified Naturopath

Specialized in :

• Digestive health
• Hormonal health
• Stress and fatigue
• Memory and concentration
• Weight management

Frédéric Bisson, radio host at 104.7 FM

Host of the 104.7 FM radio station on the Cogeco network. Frédéric Bisson has hosted L'Outaouais Maintenant from 3 to 5 p.m. every weekday since February 27, 2023.

Transcription

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

It's true that winter seems to be dragging on forever. And then, on top of that, we're putting a really, really tough cold and flu season on the back burner, with lots of cases, a peak that's slow to arrive or is there, but lasts a long time. Lynn Goneau naturopath at La Boîte à Grains has a solution this week. It's called black cumin oil.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Hello.

Frédéric Bisson - radio host at 104.7 FM:

Hello Lynn. Black cumin oil.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

OK, let's make it a duet. We'll make it a duo with, uh, oregano oil.

Frédéric Bisson - radio host at 104.7 FM:

I already knew about oregano oil. You have a sore throat for a cold in two steps.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, but that's because I love black cumin. It's also known as nigella. Sometimes you'll hear the name nigella, but it's black cumin oil. It's a black seed with pungent, peppery aromas, fresh like a bit with notes like onion, then oregano, then generally is used in oriental cooking and traditional medicine for its 1000 and one virtues there.

Frédéric Bisson - radio host at 104.7 FM:

I'm familiar with cumin, but I find it a bit harsh as a spice. So this is, this is something else. It's cumin, but black.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, indeed. Ok, then it has many, many beautiful virtues, is known to be anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiviral and antidiabetic. For diabetics, yes. Those with high blood pressure. It stimulates the digestive system, then helps with anxiety, stress, insomnia, allergies, asthma, joint pain, the urinary system and, I think, a thousand and one virtues.

Frédéric Bisson - radio host at 104.7 FM:

We've been using it for a long time anyway, because it's crazy. You have to know black cumin like the back of your hand.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

But in Egyptian times, it was known as the gold of the pharaohs. Was it? And they say it can cure all illnesses, except death.

Frédéric Bisson - radio host at 104.7 FM:

Yeah, death is incurable. We're all going to go through it. We used it for a lot of things. The immune system is very important.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

That's why we're talking about it today, because its exceptional composition of vitamins, enzymes, trace elements and omega-3s. That's why we're talking about it today, because its exceptional composition of vitamins, enzymes, trace elements and omega-3s means that this spice boosts and strengthens your immune system by promoting the action of the little white blood cells, the soldiers who patrol, identify and destroy all the little viruses and bacteria. It's wonderful. Studies have even shown that it can help with autoimmune diseases.

Frédéric Bisson - radio host at 104.7 FM:

Well, it's also useful for people with respiratory tract problems.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, especially that. Because it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It acts as a sort of bronco-dater, so it relaxes the bronchial tubes and relieves sinus symptoms and respiratory problems in general.

Frédéric Bisson - radio host at 104.7 FM:

Okay, when you're talking about a business that has as many virtues as this, I'm telling you, it's got to taste like death.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Not so much no, no, it goes down well. Well, I mix it anyway, because we're going to talk about oregano oil. Normally, I like to mix the two. Oil of oregano has been used for a long time to relieve respiratory infections, colds and sore throats, but it's important to remember that it's highly concentrated. I put three drops in a small shot with water, and then I see it being used straight away.

Frédéric Bisson - radio host at 104.7 FM:

Me, I take the dropper and then shove it straight down my throat.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Not a good idea.

Frédéric Bisson - radio host at 104.7 FM:

It burns. I like it.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

But you'll get the benefit if you dilute it a little and consume it directly like that, you can put a little olive oil too if you want other than water just to be able that it doesn't irritate all the mucous membranes there because it's beautiful that you feel it burning. We don't want it to irritate.

Frédéric Bisson - radio host at 104.7 FM:

What are the main benefits?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Once again, we're talking about an anti-infective that's effective against viruses and parasites. It's even very good for the digestive system, because it's going to help fight infections, all that bloating, diarrhea, all that, it's fabulous for that. I like to mix the two. What I do is take a tablespoon or a teaspoon, depending on your size. Then I add the black cumin oil with two drops of oregano oil. It gives me winter protection, and frankly, it's great. Ecoideas organic black cumin oil is a Canadian company that makes 100% organic foods and superfoods, and black cumin oil is 100% raw and organic.

Frédéric Bisson - radio host at 104.7 FM:

Thank you Lynn Goneau, we remind you that if we want to go and see you and you tell us more about black cumin oil, we can make an appointment.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, indeed, I'm at La Boite à Grains, the branch on boulevard Gréber. My office is there. So yes, you can send me an e-mail. All my contact details are on the La Boite à Grains or on the site here at and we can make an appointment to talk about health, a little bit of everything.

Frédéric Bisson - radio host at 104.7 FM:

It's important. A little bit of everything. Yes, I talk about health one evening. We should do it more often. Lynn Goneau, see you next week. Thank you very much for your time.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Thanks Fred.