Age Ayurveda Nighantu

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.

Key facts
Also known asKrishna Jeeraka, KrishnaJeeraka

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishKrishna Jeeraka

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)KatuPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Laghu, RukshaPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)UshnaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)KatuPost-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 (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 co-administration increases TQ plasma levels by 50%. Fixed oil serves as natural lipid carrier enhancing TQ self-emulsification. 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); 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, Carvacrol, p-Cymene, Alpha-pinene, Nigellone (dithymoquinone), 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) — classical Prophetic medicine combination for immune support
  • Haldi (Turmeric/curcumin) for anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer potentiation
  • Methi (Fenugreek) for metabolic syndrome
  • Jeeraka (Cumin) for digestive combination
  • Amalaki for antioxidant synergy

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