Health Benefits of Kalonji (Nigella Seeds)

About

Nigella sativa also known as kalonji seeds, or black cumin seed is a perennial plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family that shines excellent medicinal properties and commercial significance. The seeds are black, triangular shaped, and give a pungent odor. The plant is native to Asian Middle Eastern countries like India, South Europe, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Mediterranean regions.

Kalonji seeds are an amazing spice significant in Indian literature for their healing actions. Kalonji seeds' health insights are highly praised in folk medicine like Ayurveda and Unani. It showcases effective results in cardiovascular diseases, asthma, diabetes, bronchitis, infection, inflammation, rheumatism, skin diseases, and gastrointestinal disorders (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Nigella sativa (Kalonji): A Black Seed of Miracle

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Phytochemicals in Kalonji Seeds

The health-benefitting properties of Kalonji seeds are credited to the presence of several phytochemical constituents. Thymoquinone is the most active phytochemical present in about 30% to 48%. Here are a few others.

• Dithymoquinone
• Thymohydroquinone
• Thymol
• Carvacrol
• Nigellone
• Nigellidine
• Nigellicine
• Nigellimine
• Alpha-hederin (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
  Nigella sativa (Kalonji): A Black Seed of Miracle
  
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Health Benefits of Kalonji

Extensive research has revealed a wide spectrum of kalonji's benefits to human health. Let's explore the healing properties of this magical seed.

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Cardiovascular Benefits

A study showed significant improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure associated with the consumption of 500 mg/day of kalonji seed powder. Administering in doses of 2g/day for four to six weeks has been shown to increase HDL-cholesterol levels and reduce LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels, thereby aiding in the management of dyslipidemia and prevention of heart diseases. Another study also revealed that consuming 2g of seed powder for a year may protect from diastolic dysfunction and improve left ventricular and systolic functions (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Potential health benefits of Nigella sativa on diabetes mellitus and its complications: A review from laboratory studies to clinical trials

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A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa (kalonji) seeds

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Black Seeds

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Effect on Nerves

Kalonji seeds have exhibited positive effects in neurological conditions. Animal studies have revealed that nigella seed oil increases levels of tryptophan and stands as a useful choice for treating anxiety. It exhibits anti-depressant effects and may induce better sleep. Thymoquinone has been reported to show anticonvulsant activities as well (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa (kalonji) seeds

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Effect on Respiratory System

Nigella seeds have displayed positive outcomes in managing asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Nigellone found in these seeds may help in inhibiting trachea contractions and increase mucociliary clearance. A study conducted among asthmatic adults showed that administering boiled extract of kalonji significantly improved asthma symptoms, and its frequency, chest wheezing, and reduced the usage of inhalers and oral drugs. Another study revealed benefits in allergic rhinitis by reducing nasal congestion, nasal itching, and sneezing attacks (5^✔ ✔Trusted Source
A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb

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Digestive Health Booster

In Unani medicine, kalonji seeds are largely used for stomach pain and as a laxative. Thymoquinone displays gastroprotective effects by inhibiting acid secretion, proton pump, neutrophil infiltration, mucosal histamine content, and enhancing nitric acid production, and mucin secretion. The seed boosts digestive juice synthesis and helps in flatulence, appetite, and abdominal distension (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Nigella sativa (Kalonji): A Black Seed of Miracle

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A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa (kalonji) seeds

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A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb

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Reproductive Health

Kalonji's benefits for female reproductive health have been identified and vastly used in Ayurveda. It is known to improve menstrual flow, alleviate menstrual pain, and treat other symptoms of dysmenorrhea. It also exhibits galactogenic actions by improving breast milk production. Kalonji's benefits for males have been reported to improve semen quality and fertility (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Nigella sativa (Kalonji): A Black Seed of Miracle

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Effect on Kidney

The benefits of kalonji in kidney health have been observed in its potential to prevent and treat kidney stones. Kalonji's main phytonutrient thymoquinone exhibits antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects that pose benefits to the kidney (6^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Renal injury, nephrolithiasis and Nigella sativa: A mini revie

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Blood Glucose Friendly

Kalonji oil has portrayed fruitful effects in metabolic health. Consuming 2g of the seed per day along with oral hypoglycemic agents resulted in significant reductions in fasting blood glucose, post-prandial blood glucose, and HbA1c levels. Studies among people with prediabetes showed that its administration reduced BMI, fasting blood glucose levels, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR (4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Black Seeds

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A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb

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Anti-inflammatory and Anticancer Effect

Nigella seeds have shown positive effects in managing inflammation-related diseases like osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. Thymoquinone helps in inducing apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation of carcinoma cells (5^✔ ✔Trusted Source
A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb

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Effective Antioxidant

The production of free radicals partially builds the foundation for many human diseases. Thymoquinone has been the star contributor to the antioxidant actions of kalonji seeds. Other components like anethole, carvacrol, and 4-terpineol have also highlighted scavenging effects against free radicals. The seeds upregulate the activity of antioxidant enzymes namely, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. However, there are insufficient human trials available to understand the seeds' antioxidant effect on the human body (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa (kalonji) seeds

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Antimicrobial Actions

Ground kalonji seeds showed inhibition against bacteria and fungi. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be sensitive to ethanolic extracts of the seed. Benefits have been observed in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia by eradicating Helicobacter pylori.

Research on the uses of kalonji seeds for skin infections denotes its potential in anti-dermatophyte drugs. The methanolic extracts of the seed have shown strong inhibitions against strains of Candida albicans (5^✔ ✔Trusted Source
A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb

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Nutritional Value of Kalonji

Kalonji's nutritional values evaluated by different studies have revealed it to be a storehouse of several vital macro and micronutrients.

The seeds contain 31.94% of total carbohydrates, 26.7% of protein, and 28.5% of fat. It also contains unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids include 50 to 60% of linoleic acid, 20% of oleic acid, 10% of dihomolinoleic acid, and 3% of eicodadienoic acid. Palmitic acid and stearic acid are the saturated fatty acids present in amounts up to 30%.

Amino acids like glutamate, aspartate, arginine, methionine, and cysteine are present in significant amounts.

Among the micronutrients, significant amounts of B vitamins (thiamine, niacin, pyridoxine, and folic acid), iron, calcium, copper, zinc, and phosphorus have been identified (5^✔ ✔Trusted Source
A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb

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Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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