Black Cumin - Health benefits, application, chemical constituents, side effects and many more

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Black Cumin - A Miracle Herb


For many centuries, seeds of Nigella sativa (black cumin), a dicotyledon of the Ranunculaceae family, have been used as a seasoning spice and food additive in the Middle East and Mediterranean areas. The use of N. sativa seeds and oil in traditional remedies goes back more than 2000 years, and the herb is described as ‘the Melanthion’ by Hippocrates and Discroides. Black seeds and their oil have a long history of folklore usage in the Indian and the Arabian civilizations as food and medicine and have been commonly used as treatment for a variety of health conditions pertaining to the respiratory system, digestive tract, kidney and liver functions, cardiovascular system, and immune system support, as well as for general well-being. It is very popular in various traditional systems of medicine like Unani and Tibb, Ayurveda and Siddha. 

It shows antidiabetic, antitussive, anticancer, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, neuro-protective, gastroprotective, immunomodulator, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, and bronchodilator activity. 

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It has different names in different languages such as Hindi name(Syah jeera, Kali Jeera, Kala jeera, Krishnajeera),  Marathi name(Shahaajire, Shahajeeram, Kalejeere),  English name(Meridian Fennel, Black caraway, Black cumin),  Gujarati name(Shaahjeeru),  Tamil name(Shimayishiragam, Shimah shombu),  Telugu name(Sheema jilkar, Shimaisapoo),  Bengali name(Kala Jeere, Krishna jeera),  Kannada name(Kari jeerige, Karijeerake),  Arabian name(Kamoone aramani).


Phytochemical constituents

  • The maximal nutritional value of black cumin can be linked to the presence of substantial amount of vegetable protein, fiber and minerals, and vitamins. 
  • The nutritional composition reported from different sources revealed 20-85% of protein, 38.20% of fat, 7-94% of fiber, and 31.94% of total carbohydrates. 
  • Among various amino acids identified, glutamate, arginine, and aspartate while cysteine and methionine were the major and minor amino acids, respectively. 
  • Black cumin seeds also contain significant levels of iron, copper, zinc, phosphorus, calcium, thiamin, niacin, pyridoxine, and folic acid. 
  • In addition, phytochemical analyses of N. sativa displayed the presence of over hundreds of phytoconstituents which include mainly alkaloids, saponins, sterols, and essential oil
  • Black cumin oil contains omega-6 linoleic acid , omega-9 oleic acid, thymoquinone, nigellone, melanthin, nigilline, damascenine, and tannins.
  •                - Aromatics include thymoquinone, dihydrothymoquinone, p-cymene, carvacrol, α-thujene, thymol, α-pinene, β-pinene and trans-anethole. Protein and various alkaloids are present in the seeds.
  • The seed oil is comprised of 0.4%–2.5% essential oil.
  •         - Amongst different active constituents reported so far, thymoquinone found as major component of the essential oil is the most bioactive compound and exhibits wide ranging therapeutic benefits. 
  • The major sterols identified were β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and 5-avenasterol. Tocopherols exhibited attractive scavenging potentials of free radicals which are believed to terminate lipids peroxidation. The total tocopherol contents of black seed oil reported in varied quantities from diverse sources ranged from 9.15 to 27.92 mg/100 g. Among the foremost tocopherols recognized in black cumin seeds, α- and γ-tocopherol and β-tocotrienol are well recognized.
  • Steroidal glycosides of new and known structures have been isolated from N. sativa seeds which include 3-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-11-methoxy-16, 23-dihydroxy-28-methylolean-12-enoate, stigma-5,22-dien-3-β-D-glucopyranoside [24], and 3-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopy-ranosyl]-11-methoxy-16-hydroxy-17-acetoxy hederagenin.
  • Moreover, alkaloids of diverse types have been isolated from the seeds of black cumin, which include novel Dolabellane-type diterpene alkaloids: nigellamines A1, A2, B1, and B2 and nigellamines A3, A4, A5, and C possessing lipid metabolizing property, and indazole class of alkaloids: nigellidine, nigellicine and nigellidine-4-O-sulfite 




Properties and Benefits

  • Guna (qualities) – Laghu (light to digest), Rooksha (dry)
  • Rasa (Taste) – Katu (pungent)
  • Vipaka (taste conversion after digestion) – Katu (pungent)
  • Veerya (potency) – Ushna (hot)
  • Effect on Tridosha – Balances Vata Kapha but increases Pitta
  •            Click here for more information about Tridosha (vata-Kapha-Pitta)
  • Deepana – improves digestion strength
  • Sangrahi – absorbent, useful in diarrhoea
  • Medhya – improves intelligence
  • Garbhayashuddhikara
  • Jvaraghna – Useful in fever
  • Pachana – carminative
  • Vrushya – natural aphrodisiac
  • Balya – improves strength and immunity
  • Ruchya – improves taste
  • Chakshushya – good for eyes, improves vision power
  • Ruchya – improves taste
  • Dantashodhani – cleanses teeth
  • Useful in the treatment of
  • Adhmana – bloating, gaseous distension of abdomen
  • Gulma – Abdominal tumor, bloating
  • Chardi – vomiting
  • Atisara – diarrhoea, dysentery
  • Shopha – inflammatory conditions
  • Jeernajvara – chronic stages of fever





Uses, Benefits, Application and Remedies

1) It has been widely used as a spice and flavoring agent in variety of food preparations such as in bread, yogurt, pickles, sauces, and salads.

               - The dry-roasted seeds flavour curries, vegetables, and pulses. They can be used as a seasoning in recipes with pod fruit, vegetables, salads, and poultry. 


2) Black Jeera oil is widely used to improve skin tone,treat acne, scar, dark spots and also used as a moisturizer. It is also known to promote hair growth.


3) 10 gram each of seed powder and jaggery are taken and mixed well. This bolus is taken twiuce daily for 10-12 days prior to expected date of menstruation. It helps to regularize the period and to relieve menstrual pain and dysmenorrhoea.

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4) In some cultures, the black seeds are used to flavour bread products, and are used as part of the spice mixture panch phoron (meaning a mixture of five spices).


5) Black cumin seeds stimulate the body's energy and helps recovery from fatigue and dispiritedness. 


6) 5-10 gram of caraway seeds are taken and slightly roasted. Added with 2 cups of water, boiled and reduced to half a cup and then filtered. This is tobe  administered in the dose of 20-30 ml twice/thrice daily. This helps to reduce diarrhoea, pain abdomen and dysentery.


7) The seeds have been traditionally used in Southeast Asian and the Middle East countries for the treatment of several diseases and ailments including asthma, bronchitis, rheumatism and related inflammatory diseases. 


8) A tincture prepared from the seeds is useful in indigestion, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, dropsy, amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea and in the treatment of worms and skin eruptions. 


9) 25-20 gram seeds are soaked with water and next day it is made into fine paste. To this 100 ml each sesame oil and water are added and cooked well in mild intensity of heat. This oil is used to apply over the body parts. It relieves joint pain, body ache, finger web infections etc. In case of tooth ache 3-4 drop of this oil is instilled to the base of the teeth or rub bed to the gum.

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10) Externally the oil is used as an antiseptic and local anesthetic. 


11) Fine powder of cumin seeds, caraway and rock salt are taken and mixed well. 1 teaspoon of this is taken along with warm water. This is very effective in cases like abdominal distension, digestive disturbances, tastelessness, nausea, bloating, burping etc.


12) Roasted black seeds are given internally to stop the vomiting.


13) Clean and fresh matured leaves are collected and fresh juice is obtained by pounding. This is applied over the itching skin lesions and over the bitten parts of leeches in forest. Also it is effective in wasp bite.


14) The seeds of N. sativa are suggested with buttermilk to obstinate hiccups and also utilized in loss of appetite, vomiting and dropsy. 


15) Black cumin seeds are also very useful in digestion as it increases pancreatic enzymes.


16) It also reduces muscle spasms or contraction as it contains anti-histamines, it also helps in colic pain especially in dysmenorrhea.


17) Roasted caraway seeds and rock salt are taken in 3:1 ratio and mixed well. This is applied or rubbed over the gums in case of gum bleeding.


18) Black cumin seeds oil is also useful as an anti-wrinkles local application, as it decreases skin allergy and tightens the skin.


19) The application of oil decreases the dark circles of the eye.


20) It reduces hypertension and hardening of arteries, as it contains thymoquinone.


21) Powder of black cumin seeds is useful in toothache and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).


22) Cumin and Black Cumin are twin appetizers which have significant health benefits being in the shelf of kitchen. Proper usage will help to prevent as well as to cure several simple ill health conditions especially of Gastro intestinal origin.


23) Paste prepared by nigella seeds is applied over hands and foot to reduce inflammation.


24) Essential oil obtained from nigella seeds are used to cure skin related disorders.


25) It helps to stimulate low digestive fire,  indigestion and abdominal bloating.


26) In South Indian, after delivery, A water decoction made with black cumin is administered to the mother from day 2 to day 10. In a dose of 15 ml in the morning, empty stomach. It is done to fight post delivery infection and to strengthen the mother’s internal system.


27) Paste prepared by nigella seeds is wrapped over abscess helps to reduce pus and pain.


28) It is very effective herb for treating both hypertension and hyperglycaemia.



Side effects

  • There are no known side effects with Kala Jeera.



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Reference 

1) Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019; Published online 2019 May 12.   PMCID: PMC6535880

2) J Pharmacopuncture. 2017 Sep; 20(3): 179–193.   PMCID: PMC5633670

3) J Herb Med. 2021 Feb; 25: 100404.  PMCID: PMC7501064

4) Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013 May; 3(5): 337–352.  PMCID: PMC3642442

5) Journal of Plant Development Sciences Vol.4 (1): 1-43. 2012

6) International Journal of Research and Review (ijrrjournal.com) 342  Vol.8; Issue: 4; April 202

7) Journals  Nutrients  Volume 13  Issue 6  10.3390/nu13061784 

8) Evolution Med. Dent. Sci./eISSN- 2278-4802, pISSN- 2278-4748/ Vol. 9/ Issue 30/ July 27, 2020

9) Pharm. Sci. & Res. Vol. 7(8), 2015, 527-532

10) Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2018 Dec; 21(12): 1200–1209.  PMCID: PMC6312681

11) Nutrients. 2021 Jun; 13(6): 1784.  PMCID: PMC8225153

12) Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2014 Dec; 17(12): 929–938.  PMCID: PMC4387228

13) J Food Sci Technol. 2015 Oct; 52(10): 6136–6142.  PMCID: PMC4573164

14) Dhanvantari Nighantu

15) NCBI

16) PUBMED

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