Common Name: Kalonji, Mangrella, Krishnajirka
English Name: Back cumin, Small fennel, Nigella Seed
Botanical Name: Nigella sativa Linn.
Family: Ranunculaceae
Description: Nigella sativa is an annual flowering plant, native to southwest Asia. It grows to 20–30 cm tall, with finely divided, linear (but not thread-like) leaves. The flowers are delicate, and usually coloured pale blue and white, with 5–10 petals. The fruit is a large and inflated capsule composed of 3–7 united follicles, each containing numerous seeds. The seed is used as a spice.
Chemical Constituents: The seeds contain: isochinoline alkaloids like nigellimin and nigellimin-N-oxide, and pyrazol alkaloids include nigellidin and nigellicin.In the essential oil (avr. 0.5%, max. 1.5%), thymoquinone was identified as the main component (up to 50%) besides p-cymene (40%), a-pinene (up to 15%), dithymoquinone and thymohydroquinone. Carvacrol, carvone, limonene, 4-terpineol, citronellol are also found. On storage, thymoquinone yields dithymoquinonene and higher oligocondensation products (nigellone).
Properties: Thymoquinone contains excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is also a strong antioxidant and helps cleanse the body of toxins. Both nigellone and thymoquinone work in conjunction with one another to enhance Black Seed's action against respiratory ailments. It also provides a healthy alternative to the more commonly prescribed cortisone based therapies used by allergy sufferers. Black seed provides a rich supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These ingredients play a key role in daily health and wellness. They help regulate the metabolism, carry toxins to the surface of the skin for elimination, balance insulin levels, regulate cholesterol, improve body circulation, and promote healthy liver functions. A deficiency in polyunsaturated fatty acids can lead to a wide number of health problems including nervous system disorders, uninhibited growths, and skin diseases. Black seed contains over 100 valuable nutrients.
Used in the following MATXIN products: