As there is no specific antiviral drug approved, the patients with tomato flu or tomato fever (hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) are managed mainly with symptomatic treatment and supportive care.

This review article focuses on the beneficial effects of adjuvant therapy of black seeds (Nigella Sativa) in the management of tomato fever (HFMD). The literature was searched in online databases including Medline/PubMed/PMC, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Ebsco, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and reference lists, to identify relevant publications that determined potential effects of black seeds (N. sativa) related to signs and symptoms of tomato fever (HFMD).

Several clinical and preclinical studies demonstrated antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties of black seeds (N. sativa) which would help patients with tomato fever (HFMD). Adjuvant use of N. sativa, along with symptomatic treatment and supportive care, would be beneficial for patients with HFMD to enhance the recovery rate, as numerous clinical as well as preclinical studies determined antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties of N. sativa.

The safety and efficacy of N. sativa in patients with HFMD would further be established by future randomized controlled clinical trials.