Nigella Seed (Kalonji Seed)

Nigella Seed is pungent seeds, which are used as a spice and in herbal medicine. These are small nutty flavoured black seeds derived from the fruit of an annual flowering plant called Nigella Sativa. The fruit is a large and inflated capsule composed of three to seven united follicles, each containing numerous seeds.

Nigella Seed contains linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and trans-anethole, and other minor constituents. Aromatics include thymoquinone, dihydrothymoquinone, p-cymene, carvacrol, α-thujene, thymol, α-pinene, β-pinene and trans-anethole.

Kalonji seeds are widely used as a spice. The seed and oil of Kalonji was frequently used in ancient Unani remedy in Asian countries and in the Middle- East. its stimulant, carminative, diuretic, lactiferous, emmenagogue (stimulate uterine contractions). Used in puerperal fever. Powdered seeds externally applied to boils. Essential oil— used in common cold, cough and bronchospasm.