Abstract

A REVIEW ON FOLKLORE USES AND THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS OF NIGELLA SATIVA – A MIRACLE HERB

Dr. Renuka Phulwaria*, Dr. Kamini Kaushal, Dr. Ashwini Kumar Sharma, Dr. Rajesh Chand Mishra and Dr. Pradeep Soni

Abstract

The word ‘Dravyaguna’ means the science dealing with properties and actions of drugs. It would be necessary, at first, to understand the fundamentals of Ayurveda in general before one can grasp the concepts of Dravyaguna. Nigella sativa (black caraway, also known as black cumin, nigella, and kalonji) is an annual flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to south and southwest Asia. Nigella sativa and its active constituent, thymoquinone, have been documented to exhibit antidiabetic, antiobesity, hypotensive and hypolipidemic properties. This is also revealed that most of the therapeutic properties of this plant are due to the presence of thymoquinone which is major bioactive component of the essential oil. Seeds and oil have a long history of folklore usage in various systems of medicines and food. The seeds of N. sativa have been widely used in the treatment of different diseases and ailments. In Islamic literature, it is considered as one of the greatest forms of healing medicine. It has been widely used as antihypertensive, liver tonics, diuretics, digestive, anti-diarrheal, appetite stimulant, analgesics, anti-bacterial and in skin disorders.

Keywords: Nigella sativa, Miracle herb, Ranunculaceae, Thymoquinone, Black seeds, Anti-diabetic, Antioxidant.