• Vulvovaginal candidiasis and Nigella sativa L.: A Review Article
  • Masoumeh Norouzi Allaleh Korabi,1,* Malihe Tabarrai,2
    1. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    2. Department of Persian Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran


  • Introduction: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is one of the most common vaginitis in women of childbearing age. Despite the availability of topical chemical medicine, many women tend to use herbal remedies. The purpose of the current study was to conduct a review on the effect of Nigella sativa in the treatment of VVC.
  • Methods: In the current narrative review article, the international scientific resources, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched from inception until March 2021, using keywords such as Vaginitis, Nigella sativa, Black seed, Black cumin, Thymoquinone, Vulvovaginal, candid, vaginitis. The articles presented in conferences and theses were excluded.
  • Results: Various studies have demonstrated that the oil, extracts, and active ingredients of Nigella sativa, particularly thymoquinone, have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. The results of the present studies showed that the use of Nigella sativa reduces the symptoms and signs of VVC in women. Nigella sativa also has a therapeutic effect by decreasing the growth of the number of fungal organisms and increasing IgM levels.
  • Conclusion: The use of Nigella sativa L. seems to be an effective treatment for VVC. Nigella sativa can also be used as an adjunct to the main treatment. Due to the lack of reports of serious side effects, the use of Nigella sativa is recommended for the treatment of VVC.
  • Keywords: Nigella sativa; Black cumin; Thymoquinone; Candidiasis