The species grow to 20–90 cm (8–35 in) tall, with finely divided leaves; the leaf segments are narrowly linear to threadlike.

Nigella damascena has been grown in English cottage gardens since the Elizabethan era, commonly called love-in-a-mist.

Nigella hispanica is a taller species with larger blue flowers, red stamens, and grey leaves.

In traditional medicine, the seeds are used as a carminative and stimulant to ease bowel and indigestion problems, and are given to treat intestinal worms, nerve defects, to reduce flatulence, and induce sweating.

Black cumin oil or powder are used in the treatment of pathologies such as skin diseases, muscle pain, eczema or psoriasis,[15] but also acne,[16] diabetes, asthma,[17] A 2014 study showed its positive effects on the harmful effects of radiotherapy treatments.