Kalonji is known as Kalajaji in Sanskrit and Black cumin and Small Fennel in English. It is also commonly called Kalajira, Mugrela and Upakuncika. Kalonji is an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine. It is a small herb which yields yellowish brown oil rich in d -limonene, carvone and nigellone, a carbonyl compound. Kalonji has various health benefits.
The botanical name of Kalonji is Nigella sativa and it belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. It helps in preventing the dental caries. Kalonji also prevents bronchial asthma and cough. It is also rich in some amino acids content. Some other health benefits of kalonji are discussed in this article.
Ayurvedic Properties of Kalonji
Kalonji has the following health benefits:
- Rasa (Taste) — Pungent (Katu), Bitter (Tikta)
- Guna (Properties) — Light (Laghu), Dry (Rukhsa), Sharp (Tikshna)
- Virya (Potency) — Hot (Ushna)
Health Benefits of Kalonji
Kalonji is used for the following health benefits:
- Eyesight — Take ½ teaspoon of kalonji mixed with carrot juice before meals to increase the eyesight and continue the treatment for 6 months.
- Toothache — Gargle with warm water containing ½ teaspoon of kalonji oil. Oil can be directly applied to the paining tooth to get quick relief.
- Cleanser — Kalonji seeds contain saponin, which are good cleansing agent.
- Skin Problems — Kalonji seeds are made into paste form, which are used for various skin related problems and hair fall.
- Piles — Its paste can also be applied to get relief from pain and swelling piles.
- Nervous System — This herb is made into powder form to strengthen the nervous system.
- The powder of kalonji is also used for uterine relaxation and contraction to make the delivery easy. It also helps maintain the normal urinary tract.
- Oil obtained from seeds show properties such as antibacterial, hypotensive, bronchiodilatory and immunostimulant.
- The alcoholic extract of seeds are rich in some nourishing amino acids like lysine, cysteine, leucine and valine.
Other diseases that can be cured with kalonji are:
- Headache
- Pain
- Rhinitis
- Tastelessness
- Asthma
- Cough
- Fever
- Dysurea
- Abdominal distension
- Less milk secretion in mothers
The above are some of the health benefits of kalonji. This herb is non-toxic when taken in normal dosage.
