The plant of Kalonji is approximately half a meter in height and it is readily available all across India. The seeds are black in colour and contain a large amount of oil along with a pungent smell. The overall chemical composition of the seeds of Kalonji include 1.5 per cent volatile oil, 37.5 per cent non-volatile oil, albumen, sugar, organic acids, Glucoside Melanthin Metarbin, etc.
Black seeds are rich sources of calcium, iron, sodium and potassium. It is such a versatile seed that its usage cures almost all kinds of diseases and malfunctions of the body and improves the overall resistance of the body. Use of kalonji helps in synthesis of prostaglandin E1 which suppresses the release of allergic messenger substances and harmonises the immune system. It has been traditionally used for a variety of conditions and treatments related to respiratory health, stomach and intestinal health, kidney and liver function, circulatory and immune system support, as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antioxidants, anti-cancer, antiviral and for general well-being.
Black Seed stimulates bone marrow and immune cells and raises the interferon production, protects normal cells against cell destroying effects of viruses, destroys tumour cells and raises the number of anti-bodies producing B cells. It is widely used in various ophthalmic diseases such as redness of eyes, cataract, eye’s trouble, eye weakness and watering, etc.
Blood cancer, intestinal cancer, throat cancer and even other types of cancer can be cured by the intake of Kalonji oil which is extracted from the Kalonji seeds. Half a teaspoon of Kalonji oil when taken with a glass of grapes juice thrice a day can work wonders for cancer patients. Asthma, cough, allergy, diabetes, heart attack, polio, paralysis, joint-pain and many more diseases and malfunctions can be treated with the use of black seeds or its oil.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) has also mentioned the immense benefits of Kalonji seeds. Abu Hurairah is reported to have said, “I have heard from the Messenger of Allah that there is cure for every disease in black seeds except death.”
There are some other exceptional benefits of Kalonji seeds. It is used in migraine, amnesia and palpitation and continuous use of kalonji is effective in mad dog bites. Fumigation of kalonji is useful in curing respiratory diseases. The oil is effective in treating severe earache and it expels the Kidney and Urinary Bladder stones if taken with the syrup of honey.