Botanical Name: Nigella sativa Linn.
Family: Ranunculaceae
Introduction:
Latin name : Nigella = fennel flower- love in mist, devil in bush; sativa = cultivated
Names in different Indian languages
| English | Black Cumin, Small Fennel |
|---|---|
| Hindi | Kalajira, kalomji |
| Kannada | Karinjiragae |
| Malayalam | Karinjirakam |
| Sanskrit | Upakunchika |
| Tamil | Karum seeragm |
| Telugu | Nallajilakarra |
| Unani | Kalonji, Kamaazaruus |
| Folk |
Synonyms
Upakunchika, Deepya, Kalee, Manodnya, Taruna, Jeerna, Sushavi, Pruthveeka, Kalika, Bashpika, Kaalaajaaji, Kalikaa, Prthvikaa, Sthulajiraka.
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
| Charaka | |
|---|---|
| Susrutha | |
| Vagbhata |
Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)
Morphology
This herb grows 20-30 cm height
Leaves –compound, pinnatisect
Flower- bluish
Seed- black , trigonous
Distribution & Habitat
A shrub imported from South Europe. Now-a-days cultivated all over India
Chemical constituents:
nigellone , 2-methyl-3-isopropyl-pquinone, carvone, d-limonene and cymene
Properties:
Guna: laghu, ruksha, tikshna;
Rasa: katu, tikta;
Veerya: ushna;
Vipak: katu;
Karma –
Raktapittaharam, ruchya, garbasya visodini, deepana, medya, vrishya
stimulant, carminative, diuretic, lactiferous, stimulate uterine contractions
Srotogamitva:
Dosha: Vataghna, kaphaghna and pittavardhak.
Dhatu It digests ama in all dhatus. majja (brain tonic), shukra aphrodisiac), increases physical strength, rasa (breast milk
Mala Purisha (astringent, foul smell scavenger and anthelmintic
Organs Uterus (purification), eyes.
Indication:
Krimi, sulam, ajirna, adhmana, gulmam,
cold, cough , bronchospasm
Part used:
seeds
Dosage:
Powder 2-4 g
uses:
Oxytrophic arid galactogogue. lt is used for external application in alopcia. It is used as a nasya in jaundice and headache it is also used in