Health benefits of black onion seeds

The botanical name of black onion seed is Nigella sativa. It is also commonly called as kalonji or small fennel. 

It’s major chemical constituents
Kalonji Seeds – contain fixed and essential oils, proteins, alkaloids and saponin.
Nigella Essential oil – contains Cymine, Nigellone, Carvone, Limonene, Nigellimine.
Thymoquinone is the major chemical component of its essential oil.

 

Health benefits of Kalonji include :

It helps to act as appetizer and improves digestion strength.
It is useful in neurological disorders such as paralysis, hemiplegia, neuropathy etc
It helps to relieves bad breath, toothache, bloating and vomiting.
As it has hot potency which helps to induces menstruation due to which it is useful in conditions like amenorrhea.
It is absorbent and bowel binding spice thus useful in IBS, diarrhea, dysentery.
It act as Brain  tonic and helps to improve eye sight.
It is useful against intestinal worm infection, in fever and abdominal tumor, 
It act as aphrodisiac and shown anti- cancer result,
The uses of kalonji in folklore remedies and Unani system of medicine include treating asthma, diarrhoea and high cholesterol levels.
It is useful in nephrotoxicity (toxins in Kidney) and Hepato toxicity (toxic liver). 
It is a good anti inflammatry, analgesic, relieves pain, fever and inflammation. 
Useful in headache, tooth ache, conjunctivitis.
Part used- 

Seed, seed oil

Dosage-

 Powder 1-3 g

Ways to use kalonji for health benefits mentioned above.


Make a water Decoction with Kalonji seeds. Take that decoction up to 15ml empty stomach. 
Alternatively, one can chew kalonji seeds up to 4-5 minutes and then drink water on top of it.
Kalonji seed powder 1-2 g with honey.
External application of kalonji seed powder over male genitals helps to treat erectile dysfunction.

Side effects of Kalonji 

Avoid using kalonji in any form if one has sensitive stomach or gastritis as it can worsen the gastric burning sensation
People who cannot tolerate hotness and spiciness may find it difficult to use this spice.
Because it can induce menstruation, it is not ideal for patients with heavy periods, short menstrual cycles.
It is best to avoid this during pregnancy. Can be taken in limited quantities in children and lactating mothers.
Because it can lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels, people with high BP and diabetes medication need to take precaution.
References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3252704/
http://www.naturalnews.com/040404_Black_cumin_hypertension_Nigella_sativa.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18801029