# Krishna Jeeraka

> Krishna Jeeraka is a substance used in the Ayurvedic materia medica. SNEDDS and solid lipid nanoparticle formulations improve TQ bioavailability by 3-5 fold. Piperine co-administration increases TQ plasma levels by 50%. Fixed oil serves as natural lipid carrier enhancing TQ self-emulsification.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Krishna [Jeeraka](/herb/jeeraka/)|Krishna Jeeraka |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Katu | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## What is it made of?

### Mineral/Elemental Profile

- **Primary component:** Mineral-derived preparation
- **Note:** Composition varies by specific preparation method

**Analytical Methods:** XRD, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Taila (oil), Ark (distilled water), Essential oil

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3 g powder twice daily; 3-5 drops essential oil (diluted); 500 mg capsule twice daily; 5-10 mL Ark

**Bioavailability:** [Thymoquinone](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#thymoquinone) (TQ) — primary bioactive — has moderate oral bioavailability (30-40%) limited by poor aqueous solubility and hepatic first-pass metabolism. SNEDDS and solid lipid nanoparticle formulations improve TQ bioavailability by 3-5 fold. [Piperine](/reference/piperine/) co-administration increases TQ plasma levels by 50%. Fixed oil serves as natural lipid carrier enhancing TQ self-emulsification. [Thymohydroquinone](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#thymohydroquinone) (reduced form) shows improved absorption.

**Optimal Timing:** After meals with honey (traditional); essential oil inhalation: anytime for respiratory benefit; before meals for appetite and digestive stimulation

**Standardized Extract:** Cold-pressed seed oil standardized to minimum 2% thymoquinone by HPLC; essential oil to minimum 35% thymoquinone and 25% p-cymene by GC-MS

**Shelf Life:** 18 months for seed powder; 24 months for cold-pressed oil (with tocopherol [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/)); 36 months for soft gel capsules; 24 months for essential oil

**Storage:** Cold-pressed oil in amber glass bottles at 4-15°C (refrigeration extends potency). Seeds in airtight containers away from light. Thymoquinone degrades in heat and light — cold chain preferred for premium products.

**Marker Compounds:** Thymoquinone, Thymohydroquinone, [Thymol](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#thymol), [Carvacrol](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#carvacrol), p-Cymene, Alpha-pinene, [Nigellone](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#nigellone) (dithymoquinone), [Nigellidine](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#nigellidine), Nigellicine

### Extraction Methods

- Cold pressing of seeds for fixed oil (Black seed oil)
- Steam distillation for essential oil
- Supercritical CO2 extraction for thymoquinone-enriched oil
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70% ethanol) for non-oil fraction
- Enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction

### Synergistic Combinations

- Honey ([Madhu](/herb/madhu/)) — classical Prophetic medicine combination for immune support
- Haldi ([Turmeric](/herb/turmeric/)/[curcumin](/herb/curcumin/)) for anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer potentiation
- [Methi](/herb/methi/) (Fenugreek) for metabolic syndrome
- [Jeeraka](/herb/jeeraka/) ([Cumin](/herb/cumin/)) for digestive combination
- Amalaki for antioxidant synergy

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/krishna-jeeraka/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- 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.