Kalonji
(Nigella Sativa)
Dr. M. Laiq Ali Khan*
The plants of Kalonji are found throughout
India in the form of bushes. The height of the plant is approximately half
a meter. It possesses blue flowers. It originated from Turkey and Italy.
Later on, it was brought to Asia by physicians and cultivated in India.
Seeds are triangular in shape, black in colour and possess a severe
pungent smell, contain a considerable amount of oil. It is incorrect that
Arabs learnt its use from the Greeks, because before the advent of
Islam, no description or record is found about its use. Its
therapeutic use was initiated after the advent of Islam, since; Prophet
Muhammad (Pbuh) mentioned its therapeutic efficacy and potential of cure.
Chemical Composition - seeds contain 1.5%
volatile oil, while 37.5% Non volatile oil. In addition to this Albumen,
Sugar, Organic acids, Glucoside Melanthin Metarbin and bitter substances
are also found. The Glucoside is toxic in nature, hence the use of Kalonji
in large doses and prolonged use might be harmful.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah States - “I have
heard from Rasool Allah (Pbuh) that there is cure for every disease in
black seeds except death and black seeds are shooneez.”
Salim Bin Abdullah narrates with reference
to his father Hazrat Abdullah Bin Omar that Rasool Allah (Pbuh) said,
“Let fall these black seeds upon you, these contain cure for all
diseases except death.”
The same narration is found in Sanad-e-Ahmed
from Hazrat Aisha (t) and in Ibn-al-Jozi and Trimizi from Abu Huraira.
Hazrat Buraida narrates that Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) stated - “Shooneez
is cure for all ailments except death.”
It is stated in the books of seerat that
Nabi-e-Akram (Pbuh) himself used to take these seeds for therapeutic
purpose but with the syrup of Honey.
Khalid Bin Saad states that he was
travelling with Ghalib Bin Jabr, when he fell ill during the journey. Ibn
Abi Ateeq (nephew of Hazrat Aisha) came to meet us. On seeing the patient,
he took 5 or 7 seeds of Kalonji and ground it, mixed it in olive oil and
dropped in both nostrils, Hazrat Aisha told us that Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh)
stated that there was cure in black seeds for all ailments except sam. I
asked him, what was sam? He said “Death”.
Ghalib Bin Jabr became healthy with that treatment.
Observations of the scholars of Hadith
reveal that shooneez is equally effective for the diseases due to heat and
cold. Zahbi states that kalonji removes the obstruction of any part of the
body, expels the gases and strengthens the stomach.
- It
is Emmenagogue, Lactogogue and Diuretic.
- It
is an Anti-Helminthic, if taken with vinegar.
- It
is useful in chronic cold. Inhalation of its smell is useful in common
cold.
- The
oil of Kalonji is effective in Alopecia.
- Half
teaspoonful, if boiled in water and taken, is helpful in Asthma and
diffuses the toxic effects of Bee and Wasps.
- Continuous
use of kalonji is effective in mad dog bites.
- Fumigation
of kalonji is useful in Respiratory Diseases.
- It
is useful in Paralysis, Facial Palsy, Migraine, Amnesia and
Palpitation.
- It
is also an Expectorant and Antipyretic.
- It
normalizes the secretions of stomach and pancreas.
- This
phenomenon is very much effective and significant in the treatment of
Diabetes Mellitus.
- It
expels the Kidney and Urinary Bladder stones, if taken with the syrup
of honey.
- It
is effective in Jaundice if taken with milk.
- Its
powder if taken with water is effective in treating Haemorrhoids.
- If
Kalonji seeds are boiled in vinegar and this solution is applied on
Gums and Teeth, it removes the Inflammation of the gums and relieves
the pain also.
- It
is also reported that its fine powder is effective if applied in early
stages of Cataract.
- Kalonji
is also used in Skin disorders.
- The
oil of the seeds is also effective in Earache.
- If
it is taken with Qust Sheering after breakfast and dinner, it is
effective in chronic Dysentery and Asthma.
- Qust
Sheering is a good medicine for sexual debility, but if it is taken
with Kalonji seeds and Habburrashad, it becomes more fortified.
- Modern
trials have proven that Kalonji seeds alone or in combination with
other drugs are highly effective in Diabetes Mellitus, Vitiligo and
other Skin ailments.
(* Director, Shah Faisal Institute of
Hadith & Medical Sciences, Kasganj - 207123 ,UP)
with permission from: http://members.muslimsites.com/skalghazal
-------------------------
The following information was provided by a
reader:
Kalonji refers to the small black seeds of
the Love-in-a-Mist plant. Sometimes they are confused with
"onion" seeds or black cumin or caraway. The seeds are deep
black and sharp-cornered.
Kalonji seeds are reported to be beneficial for the respiratory system.
They have also been shown to have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory
properties.
Crushed kalonji has an aroma somewhat like oregano. They are normally used
whole, mainly in breads. The seeds taste pleasantly bitter and slightly
pungent.
Kalonji seeds are generally sautéed in Ghee or dry-roasted to release the
aroma and flavor and then added to vegetable dishes.
Historical Uses
Cultivation of black seed has been traced back more than 3,000 years to
the kingdom of the Assyrians and ancient Egyptians. A bottle of black
cumin oil was found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun, perhaps to protect
the ruler in the afterlife.
Black cumin was a vital ingredient in many Egyptian dishes. Physicians of
the pharaohs used the seeds as a digestive aid after opulent feasts and as
a remedy for colds, headaches, toothaches, infections, inflammatory
disorders and allergies. Black seed oil has been a beauty secret of women
since ancient times. Queen Nefertiti, praised for her exquisite
complexion, was an avid user of black seed oil.
Pliny the Elder crushed black seeds, mixed them with vinegar and honey,
and applied the paste to snake bites and scorpion stings.
Black cumin and its oil have been used to purge parasites and worms,
detoxify, ameliorate amoebic dysentery, shigellosis, abscesses, old
tumors, ulcers of the mouth and rhinitis. Recent research confirms these
uses for humans, dogs, cats and horses.
Modern Research
More than 200 university studies conducted since 1959 attest to the
effectiveness of traditional uses of black seed. The essential oil of N.
sativa seeds is antimicrobial and successful in the ratification of
intestinal worms. In vitro studies in Jordan and the
United States have shown its volatile oil to be anti-leukemic. Other
studies suggest this same active ingredient may serve as an immune-system
booster and is proven effective in treating asthma and whooping cough.
Black seed is a complex substance of more than 100 compounds, some of
which have not yet been identified or studied. A combination of fatty
acids, volatile oils and trace elements are believed to contribute to its
effectiveness. As for all the benefits packed into this tiny seed waiting
to be discovered, ongoing research will have to judge.
English = Nigella, love-in-a-mist, fennel flower, black cumin, black
caraway, black coriander, black seed
English, Old (also in King James Version of the Bible) = Fitch
Finnish = Neidonkuka
French = Cheveux de venus, Nigelle or Faux cumin
German = Schwarzhuemmel, later protvurz or brotchrut
Greek, Ancient = Melánthion or meláspermom
Hebrew = Ketzah
Hindi and Urdu = Kalonji
Indian = Nutmeg flower
Italian = Nigela
Persian = Schonaiz
Sri Lankan = Kaladuru
Submitted by Piet Van Allen pietvana@yahoo.de
http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Park/6443/Hospitals/kalonji.html
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