Kalijiri: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!

Introduction

A member of the Asteraceae family, Kalijiri or black cumin (scientifically known as Centratherum anthelminticum or Vernonia anthelmintica) is a tall, sturdy leafy plant with wide distributions across the country.

Renowned for its wide use in culinary practices, Kalijiri has been acknowledged as a prominent medicinal plant with its acceptance reported in traditional medicinal systems like Ayurveda and Unani for the management of diverse physiological conditions such as cough, diarrhoea, asthma, kidney troubles and inflammation.

Characterized by a bitter taste, black cumin seeds are known to possess numerous therapeutic as well as pharmacological activities.^1,2,3

Chemical Composition of Kalijiri:

With respect to the chemical composition, this plant is mainly composed of glycosides, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds and sterols.^4,5,6 The seeds of this plant comprise fixed oil (18%), volatile oil (0.02%) and flavonoids that are known to control the neuropharmacological plant activity.^7,8  

Therapeutic Uses of Kalijiri:

• Kalijiri is a vital source of various compounds and is used extensively in the management of cough, fever and diarrhoea.¹
• In accordance with Ayurveda, Kalijiri seeds play a critical role in managing ulcers, skin disease and leucoderma.⁹
• The seeds are also used for dealing with asthma, kidney troubles and inflammation.^9,10  

Benefits of Kalijiri:

1. Anti-inflammatory Benefits of Kalijiri

The anti-inflammatory activity of the petroleum ether and alcoholic extracts of the Kalijiri seeds in rat models has been well documented.^1,9  

2. Antidiabetic Benefits of Kalijiri

• Significant hypoglycaemic effects were observed in streptozotocin and alloxan-induced diabetic rat models that were exposed to the ethanolic extract of the Kalijiri seeds.^9,11
• Management of diabetic rats using Kalijiri seeds was deemed fruitful owing to reduced complications like thirst, fatigue, and irritation over the standard drug, glibenclamide.¹² 

3. Anthelmintic Benefits of Kalijiri

Kalijiri seeds have demonstrated great anthelmintic activity in terms of expelling distinct parasitic worms out of the body and subsequently leading to significant results in deworming among children and adults.¹² 

4. Anticancer Benefits of Kalijiri

The chloroform fraction and acetone extracts of the Kalijiri seeds have shown antiproliferative properties and cytotoxic effects along with inhibition of the tumour necrosis factor through activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B response.^1,9 

5. Antimicrobial Benefits of Kalijiri

Significant inhibitory effects of methanolic as well as acetone extracts of the Kalijiri seeds were observed against various gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial and fungal agents.^9,12  

6. Benefits of Kalijiri Due to Antifilarial Activity

The alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the Kalijiri seeds have demonstrated antifilarial activities against the parasitic roundworm Setaria cervi.^1,8,12 

7. Benefits of Kalijiri Due to Antioxidant Activity

• Significant antioxidant activity has been demonstrated by the methanolic and aqueous extracts of the Kalijiri seeds against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate and (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) radicals.^1,12 
• Research indicated that the antioxidant property of the seeds was controlled by the phenolic compounds present within the seeds, as highlighted by a significant correlation between the two.¹² 

Also Read – Kaunch Beej: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, Precautions & More!

8. Benefits of Kalijiri Due to Immunomodulatory Activity

Suppression of Rh”incompatibility of pregnant females was observed through the oral administration of the Kalijiri seeds, which presented with no harmful steroids.¹⁰ 

9. Benefits of Kalijiri Due to Melanogenesis Activity

Flavonoids from the Kalijiri seeds have been found to stimulate melanogenesis in human epidermal melanocytes.⁹ Subsequently, these flavonoids proved effective against vitiligo, also known as leukoderma, which is characterized by the impaired function of melanocytes.¹² 

10. Benefits of Kalijiri For Wound Healing

Histological studies have demonstrated the wound-healing activity of the Kalijiri seeds which were found to exhibit reduced scar formation and enhanced healing properties in terms of angiogenesis (i.e. formation of new blood vessels).¹² 

11. Benefits of Kalijiri Due to Larvicidal Activity

The petroleum ether extract of the Kalijiri fruit and leaves is known to exhibit significant larvicidal activity in efforts to control the Anopheles mosquito larvae.¹² 

12. Benefits of Kalijiri for Skin

Skin formulations in the form of a topical ointment have been developed from a variety of plant extracts, including the Kalijiri seeds. This ointment has been used to manage chronic skin conditions like eczema, lichen planus and psoriasis.¹³ 

Studies show that Kalijiri has anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic benefits. Due to these properties, it may be useful in managing various inflammatory conditions.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Read More – 16 Simple Home Remedies for Glowing Skin!

How to Use Kalijiri?

• Seeds: Kalijiri seeds ground into powder can be used externally. Ethanol extract of the seeds has exhibited smooth muscle stimulant and spermicidal activity.^8,14 The decoction of seeds is used to manage gonorrhoea, dysentery and helminths. It also aids with symptoms of indigestion and promotes weight loss through the use of methi seeds and Ajwain. The paste of the seeds, on the other hand, is externally applied to help in the healing of scorpion stings.¹⁰  
• Roots: Roots of Kalijiri have proved effective in managing stomach aches, ulcers and cough.¹⁴   
• Flowers: The purgative flowers of Kalijiri help in normalising bowel movements and subsequently aid in dealing with indigestion.¹⁴ 
• Leaves: Extracted juice from the leaves help in managing phlegmatic discharges from nostrils.¹⁰ Extract from the Kalijiri leaves possess wound healing properties due to the presence of flavonoids.¹² 

Your Ayurvedic physician will prescribe you the form and dosage as per your health condition. 

Side Effects of Kalijiri:

 Limited scientific literature is available pertaining to the side effects of Kalijri. Hence, further research studies are warranted to examine the long-term side effects of this medicinal plant.¹⁵ Data collected up to this point has indicated that the crude extracts of the Kalijiri seeds are safe to use as far as acute dosing is concerned.¹⁵ 

Kalijiri has many medicinal properties. It includes properties like analgesic, antipyretic, anti-microbial, etc. Some studies reported that when Kalijiri is used with anti-anxiety compounds like diazepam, it may be able to reduce anxiety more significantly.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Precautions to Take With Kalijiri:

Keep the following points in mind: 

• Oral administration of the Kalijiri seeds have revealed suppression of Rh”incompatibility in pregnant females, highlighting the immunomodulatory activity of Kalijiri with no report of harmful steroids and its overall safe use.¹⁰ 
• No scientific literature is available regarding the safe consumption of Kalijiri during breastfeeding. Consultation with a doctor would be advisable with regards to its use and dosage. 

Also Read – Kalmegh: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, Precautions & More!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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