# Kalonji

Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/kalonji/

> Kalonji (Nigella sativa) is a plant drug, also called Upakuncika and Kalaumji, from the Ranunculaceae family. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Nigella sativa
- **Family:** Ranunculaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India at recommended dose of 0.5-4 g seed powder for digestive and carminative purposes. Recognized in Unani medicine and in Prophetic medicine (Tibb-e-Nabawi, traditional Islamic medicine) with extensive historical documentation. Not yet included in WHO monographs as a standalone entry, though substantial peer-reviewed evidence supports therapeutic applications.

## Names in the Indian languages

Every name form this project holds for this drug, with the script form first and the
transliteration after it. Sources per name are on the canonical page.

| Language | Names |
| --- | --- |
| Sanskrit | उपकुञ्चिका (upakuñcikā) |
| Hindi | कलौंजी (kalauṃjī) |
| Tamil | கருஞ்சீரகம் |

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Kalonji |
| Latin/Botanical | *Nigella sativa* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Thymoquinone](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#thymoquinone) (TQ, major bioactive in essential oil)
- [Thymohydroquinone](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#thymohydroquinone)
- [Thymol](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#thymol)
- [Carvacrol](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#carvacrol)
- p-Cymene
- alpha-Thujene
- Nigellicine and [Nigellidine](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#nigellidine) ([alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids))
- alpha-Hederin (saponin)

## How does it work?

- Thymoquinone inhibits NF-kB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production
- Anti-asthmatic action through functional antagonism of muscarinic receptors, inhibition of [histamine](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#histamine) H1 receptors, calcium channel blocking, [potassium](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#potassium) channel opening, and beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation
- [Anticancer](/reference/anticancer/) activity via induction of apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of angiogenesis
- [Antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/) mechanism through enhanced pancreatic beta-cell function, improved insulin sensitivity, and inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis
- [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) action through oxidative stress-induced cell apoptosis, efflux pump blockade, and enhanced membrane permeability in pathogens

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

*These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.*

- Traditionally used as a digestive aid and carminative for bowel and indigestion problems. Pharmacological studies have reported [antispasmodic](/glossary/pharmacology/#antispasmodic) and carminative effects.
- Traditionally used for asthma and other respiratory complaints. Clinical studies have reported bronchodilatory effects and improved lung function in people with asthma.
- Traditionally used for blood sugar control in diabetes. A clinical study reported improved glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes when it was used as an adjuvant.
- Traditionally used to lower lipids and protect the heart. Meta-analyses have reported improvements in lipid profiles.
- Traditionally used for immune modulation and against infections. Immunological studies have reported enhanced immune cell function and antimicrobial activity.

## What do recent studies show?

- Alberts A, Moldoveanu ET, Niculescu AG and others 2024. [Nigella sativa: A Comprehensive Review of Its Therapeutic Potential, Pharmacological Properties, and Clinical Applications](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39769174/). *International journal of molecular sciences*. PMID [39769174](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39769174/) · [doi:10.3390/ijms252413410](https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252413410)  
  Comprehensive review covering main compounds of Nigella sativa with their therapeutic effects, molecular structure, properties, and mechanisms of action, establishing scientific basis for traditional medicinal uses.
- Li Z, Wang Y, Xu Q and others 2023. [Nigella sativa and health outcomes: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37057067/). *Frontiers in nutrition*. PMID [37057067](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37057067/) · [doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1107750](https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1107750)  
  Umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses confirmed significant effects of N. sativa on glycemic control, lipid profiles, blood pressure, body weight, and inflammation markers across multiple clinical trials.
- Wahab S, Alsayari A 2023. [Potential Pharmacological Applications of Nigella Seeds with a Focus on Nigella sativa and Its Constituents against Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: Progress and Future Opportunities](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38005726/). *Plants (Basel, Switzerland)*. PMID [38005726](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38005726/) · [doi:10.3390/plants12223829](https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12223829)  
  Highlighted thymoquinone's anti-inflammatory mechanisms targeting NF-kB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT pathways, with therapeutic potential in rheumatoid arthritis, IBD, asthma, and neuroinflammatory conditions.
- Mashayekhi-Sardoo H, Rezaee R, Karimi G 2020. [Nigella sativa (black seed) safety: an overview](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37551386/). *Asian biomedicine : research, reviews and news*. PMID [37551386](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37551386/) · [doi:10.1515/abm-2020-0020](https://doi.org/10.1515/abm-2020-0020)  
  Safety overview establishing that N. sativa has a very low degree of toxicity; LD50 varies from 28.8 mL/kg to 3,371 mg/kg in mice; aqueous extracts at doses up to 6 g/kg showed no toxicity in subacute evaluations.

*Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- An estimated safe daily thymoquinone dosage below 48.6 mg per adult has been calculated (based on NOAEL of 5 mg/kg in 90-day rat studies, converted to human equivalent dose)
- Very low toxicity profile; two cases of contact dermatitis reported with topical use; no significant adverse effects on liver or kidney function with oral administration of seed extract or oil
- Caution advised with concurrent use of antidiabetic, [antihypertensive](/glossary/pharmacology/#antihypertensive), and immunosuppressive drugs due to potential synergistic effects; not recommended during pregnancy without medical supervision

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Thymoquinone
- Thymohydroquinone
- Thymol
- Carvacrol
- Nigellidine
- Alkaloids
- Nigellicine

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Seed (whole), Churna (seed powder), Taila (seed oil), Capsule, Soft gel capsule, Tablet

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3g whole seeds daily; 2.5-5ml oil daily; 500mg-1g extract; commonly mixed with honey (1 tsp seeds + 1 tsp honey)

**Optimal Timing:** Morning on empty stomach with honey (traditional); with meals for digestive support; oil with fatty meal for enhanced absorption

**Storage:** Seeds: cool, dry, airtight containers. Oil: amber glass, nitrogen-flushed, below 25°C. Protect from light and heat. Avoid plastic containers for oil storage.

**Marker Compounds:** Thymoquinone, Thymohydroquinone, Thymol, Carvacrol, [Nigellone](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#nigellone), p-Cymene, Alpha-hederin, Nigellidine, Nigellicine

### Synergistic Combinations

- With Honey for immune support (Prophetic medicine tradition)
- With [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) (traditionally combined)
- With [Ajwain](/herb/ajwain/) for digestive support
- With [Methi](/herb/methi/) seeds (traditionally combined to support metabolic function)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/kalonji/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.