| Latin Names |
English Names |
Sanskrit/Indian Names |
Nigella sativa |
Small Fennel, Black Cumin
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Kalonji, Kalajira, Kalajaji, Mugrela, Upakuncika |
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 A small herb. The seeds give on steam-distillation a yellowish brown volatile oil with an unpleasant odor. The oil contains carvone, d -limonene, and a carbonyl compound, nigellone.
Preliminary clinical trials indicate its possible therapeutic use in some conditions of cough and bronchial asthma. The alcoholic extract of the seeds is reported to prevent dental caries. It contains nourishing amino acids such as cysteine, lysine, valine and leucine. The seed oil showed antibacterial, insecticidal, bronchiodilatory, hypotensive, and immunostimulant activities. The seed contains saponins which have good cleansing properties. The oil also exhibited CNS depressant and potent analgesic effects on experimental animals. Intraperitoneal administration of the oil of black cumin seeds (50mg/kg) to fasting normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits produced significant hypoglycemic effects. |
Used in Anti-Dandruff Shampoo.
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