Black seed oil or kalonji cures HIV in two weeks: Fact or scam?

Hyderabad: A post claiming that black seeds can cure HIV in two weeks has gone viral on social media.

The viral testimonial post reads, “I had HIV virus for 20 years. I started taking black seed oil 5 ml once a day for 2 weeks. Then did some blood work. The blood work showed that the virus was so low that it can’t be detected all. Which means there is nothing (sic). “

Cure for HIV is a debated topic for a long time now.

So, can black seed oil cure HIV in two weeks? Let’s find out.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found the claim to be a scam (False).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions, “HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).”

It said currently, there is no effective cure for HIV. “Once people get HIV, they have it for life,” it added.

CDC furthers said, “With proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. People with HIV who get effective HIV treatment can live long, healthy lives and protect their partners.”

We also found an article published on the website of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that has debunked nine HIV cure myths. The first myth busted is whether there is a cure for HIV. It states, “There is no cure for HIV. There is one documented case of Timothy Ray Brown being cured, but we do not know how to safely replicate those findings in other humans yet.”

According to a review of clinical trials of black seed and its active constituent, Thymoquinone, “Some effects of N. sativa, such as its hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and bronchodilatory effects, have been sufficiently studied and are sufficiently understood to allow for the next phase of clinical trials or drug developments. However, most of its other effects and applications require further clinical and animal studies.”

Another study concluded that, “The sustained sero-reversion induced by Nigella sativa concoction in this HIV patient means that all HIV cells at all stages in infected cells in the body must have been lysed. Therefore, there is need to further study more HIV patients on Nigella sativa therapy and its virucidal effect on this pandemic virus.”

From the above investigation, it is evident that although black seed has a number of medical benefits, as of now there is no study or scientific evidence that proves black seed oil can cure HIV. It should be noted that there is no proven cure for HIV yet.