Kalonji (Nigella sativa)

Kalonji (Nigella sativa), often known as black cumin or black seed, is a small blooming plant that is native to South and Southwest Asia. It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family.

Kalonji Scientific Name

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Nigella
Species: Nigella sativa

Kalonji Common Name

English: Black Seed, Black Cumin
Sanskrit: Krishna Jiraka, Kalika
Hindi: Kalonji
Urdu: Kalonji
Tamil: Karunjeeragam
Telugu: Nalla Jilakara
Marathi: Kala Jeera
Arabic: Habbat al-Barakah (Seed of Blessing)

Kalonji Uses

Digestive Support - Helps improve appetite and gastrointestinal motility.

Respiratory Health - Used to treat asthma, bronchitis, cough, and sinus issues.

Immune System Support - Traditionally used for fever, flu, and general immunity boosting.

Anti-Diabetic and Metabolic Regulation - Helps regulate blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for diabetic patients.

Skin and Hair Health - Treats eczema, acne, and other skin conditions, Strengthens hair roots, prevents hair loss and graying.

Reproductive Health - Promotes menstrual balance and lactation in women, Used as a general reproductive tonic.

Phytochemical Constituents

Kalonji seeds are rich in volatile oils, alkaloids, and antioxidants. Major bioactive compounds include:

Thymoquinone – Main active ingredient having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects.
Nigellidine & Nigellicine – Alkaloids with neuroprotective and antimicrobial actions.
Carvacrol, p-Cymene, and α-Thujene – Provide antifungal and antibacterial benefits.
Palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids – Beneficial fatty acids.
Vitamins and Minerals – Including iron, calcium, zinc, and B-complex.

References

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Govt. of India, Ministry of AYUSH.

Unani Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol II. Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM).

Ahmad, A. et al. (2013). “A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb.” Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 3(5), 337–352.

Ali, B.H. and Blunden, G. (2003). “Pharmacological and toxicological properties of Nigella sativa.” Phytotherapy Research, 17(4), 299–305.

Ghosheh, O.A. et al. (1999). “High performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the pharmacologically active thymoquinone in Nigella sativa seeds.” Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 19(5), 819–823.

Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L., & Chopra, I.C. (1956). Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. CSIR, New Delhi.

European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP), Monographs on the medicinal uses of plant drugs, Nigella sativa.