{"id":156565,"date":"2022-03-16T18:45:22","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T13:15:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=156565"},"modified":"2026-05-22T06:31:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T06:31:34","slug":"ayurveda-uses-benefits-side-effects-of-kalijiri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/ayurveda-uses-benefits-side-effects-of-kalijiri\/","title":{"rendered":"Kalijiri (Black Cumin): Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<\/head>

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Table of Contents<\/p>\nToggle<\/span>

Introduction<\/a><\/li>
Chemical Composition of Kalijiri<\/a><\/li>
Potential Uses of Kalijiri<\/a><\/li>
Benefits of Kalijiri<\/a><\/li>
How to Use Kalijiri?<\/a><\/li>
Side Effects of Kalijiri<\/a><\/li>
Precautions to Take with Kalijiri<\/a><\/li>
Conclusion<\/a><\/li>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li>
References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n \n <\/span>\n $\"Join$ \n <\/a>\n
<\/span>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A member of the Asteraceae family, Kalijiri or black cumin (scientifically known as Centratherum anthelminticum<\/em> or Vernonia anthelmintica<\/em>) is a tall, sturdy leafy plant with wide distributions across the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Characterized by a bitter taste, black cumin seeds are known to possess numerous therapeutic as well as pharmacological activities1<\/a>,2<\/a>,3<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Chemical Composition of Kalijiri<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWith respect to the chemical composition, this plant is mainly composed of glycosides, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds and sterols 4<\/a>,5<\/a>,6<\/a><\/sup>. 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<\/a>,8<\/a>\u00a0<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Potential Uses of Kalijiri<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
Kalijiri is a vital source of various compounds and is used extensively in the management of cough, fever and diarrhoea 1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
In accordance with Ayurveda, Kalijiri seeds play a critical role in managing ulcers, skin disease and leucoderma 9<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The seeds are also used for dealing with asthma, kidney troubles and inflammation 9<\/a>,1<\/a>0<\/a><\/sup>.^{\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n}
<\/span>Benefits of Kalijiri<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n1. Anti-inflammatory Benefits of Kalijiri<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"anti-inflammatory$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
The anti-inflammatory activity of the petroleum ether and alcoholic extracts of the Kalijiri seeds in rat models has been well documented 1<\/a>,9<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Studies show that Kalijiri has anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic benefits. Due to these properties, it may be useful in managing various inflammatory conditions 17<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\nDr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
2. Antidiabetic Benefits of Kalijiri<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"diabeties\"$
_{Image Source: freepik.com<\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n}
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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<\/a>,11<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
3. Anthelmintic Benefits of Kalijiri<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"infection\"$
_{_{Image Source: freepik.com<\/sub><\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n}}
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<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Anticancer Benefits of Kalijiri<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"skin$
_{Image Source: freepik.com<\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n}
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<\/a>,9<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Antimicrobial Benefits of Kalijiri<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"antimicrobial\"$
_{Image Source: freepik.com<\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n}
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<\/a>,12<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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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 18<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\nDr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
6. Benefits of Kalijiri Due to Antifilarial Activity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"Antifilarial$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
The alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the Kalijiri seeds have demonstrated antifilarial activities against the parasitic roundworm Setaria cervi 1<\/a>,8,<\/a>12<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Benefits of Kalijiri Due to Antioxidant Activity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"Antioxidant\"$
_{Image Source: freepik.com<\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n}
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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\u2032-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) radicals 1<\/a>,12<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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