Abstract

ETHNOMEDICINAL SURVEY OF NIGELLA SATIVA L. (BLACK CUMIN/KALONJI) PLANT

Firdos Fatima Mirza Khaleel Baig*, Dr. Roopa Vishwanath Sangvikar

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Abstract

Nigella sativa L. is a well-known traditional herb, and for the present study, the plant is surveyed and collected from Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Washim, Maharashtra. Its seeds are mainly used for medicinal purposes and are known by various names, such as Black Seed, Black Cumin, and Kalonji. Its cultivation is highly productive and cost-effective, but its medicinal value is exceptional. People use the oil and raw seed in their traditional style for disease management, with honey, milk, decoction, as spices, etc. From its aqueous to oil extract, the seeds have the potential to cure inflammation, microbial infection, constipation, cancer, diabetes, etc. In India, from Maharashtra to Punjab, Gujarat to Assam, the plant is cultivated, and people use it to cure illnesses traditionally and by modern methods in different ways.

Keywords: Ethnomedicinal, Nigella sativa L., Thymoquinone, Bioactive compound.