Black cumin is a member of the buttercup family. When whole, the seeds are dark, thin, and crescent shaped. They contain more than 100 chemical compounds, some of which are still unidentified. The primary active compound in black cumin seed is crystalline nigellone. Other important active ingredients include: Thymoquinone, Beta sitosterol, Myristic acid, Palmitic acid, Palmitoleic acid, Stearic acid, Oleic acid, Linoleic acid, Linolenic acid, Arachidonic acid, Protein, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Folic acid, Calcium, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Phosphorous..