• Fouzia Bashir
• Jamal Akhtar
• Nighat Anjum
• Shah Alam

The use of herbal drugs is as old as human beings. Kalonji (N. sativa) is a widely used medicinal plant throughout the world. It is very popular in various traditional systems of medicine like Unani, Ayurveda and Siddha. The seeds of Kalonji (N. sativa) have been widely used in the treatment of different diseases and ailments. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) had described the healing powers of the Black Seeds against a variety of diseases. According to common Islamic and Arabic belief, Habbatul Barakah is a remedy for all ailments (universal healer). Black Seed is also mentioned as the curative “black cumin” in the Holy Bible and is described as Melanthion by Hippocrates and Dioscorides and as Gith by Pliny. It is one of the most common medicinal plants worldwide and contains many useful chemical constituents. It has been widely used as antihypertensive, liver tonic, diuretic, digestive, anti-diarrheal, appetite stimulant, analgesic, anti-bacterial and in skin disorders. Extensive studies on Kalonji (N. sativa) have been carried out by various researchers and a wide spectrum of its pharmacological actions have been explored which may include antidiabetic, anticancer, immunomodulator, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, bronchodilator, hepato-protective, nephro protective, gastro-protective, antioxidant properties, etc. The present review is an effort to provide a detailed survey of the literature on scientific researches of pharmacognostical characteristics, chemical composition and pharmacological activities of the seeds of this plant.

Kalonji, Nigella sativa, Unani System of Medicine

"Kalonji (Nigella Sativa): Transformation from Herb to Multifunctional Medicine", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 8, page no.132-141, August-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1808766.pdf

"Kalonji (Nigella Sativa): Transformation from Herb to Multifunctional Medicine", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 8, page no. pp132-141, August-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1808766.pdf