Kalonji, or Nigella seeds, are one of the most beneficial seeds that mother nature has given us. They just don’t add value to the food, but they have tremendous benefits for the human body.

Whether you consume it in solid form like seeds, or the in a liquid form as an oil. Kalonji has many good effects on the body. But the irony is that many people do not know the health benefits of Kalonji. By the way, kalonji is also called black cumin in some cultures.

What is Kalonji? 

Kalonji or black cumin is a spice that is not just meant for adding flavor to your dishes, but is one that can have a heavy positive effect on your health. Particularly Muslims are very fond of this spice. It is because, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has highly praised Kalonji. 

The Prophet exactly said that, there is healing for every disease except for death. That’s the obvious reason that kalonji or black cumin seeds have seen great popularity in the Muslim medications. You will find a mention to it in details in the book, ‘The Prophetic Medicine’ by a medieval scholar Ibn al-Qayyim.

Digressing, Muslims love some foods and believe them to have serious health benefits. Honey, olive, fig, milk, talbina etc. Similarly, Hindu traditions show special affinity to shilajit. 

Anyways, coming back to the topic of discussion, here are the following 11 unknown health benefits of Kaloji.  I have called them unknown because most people are ignorant of this spice and thus are unaware of its benefits.

Let’s get started!  

Read: The Shilajit Story – Its Composition, Uses & Benefits

Benefit #1 – Controlling Blood Pressure

Kalonji has been proven to be very useful in controlling blood pressure/hypertension, drinking half a teaspoon of kalonji oil mixed with warm water followed by an effective diet regime has proven to keep blood pressure under control.

Benefit #2 – Weight Loss

Kalonji helps in speeding up your body metabolism and promotes a faster weight loss. When added to your everyday routine with daily exercises and a healthy diet kalonji helps lose weight in rapidly and constantly. Half a teaspoon of kalonji oil with two teaspoons of honey and in lukewarm water is an effective weight loss recipe

So, if you are serious about weight loss, this is nigella seeds are your go to super food. Nigella seeds is the English name of Kalonji Seeds. 

Benefit #3 – Preventing Hair Loss

Hair loss is a problem that earlier affected people, mostly men. But now it has spread to an epidemic degree. Hair loss has spread its roots affecting both men and women of all ages. There are many remedies available for battling hair loss and one of the most effective solutions is the oil of black cumin seeds known for preventing hair loss and stimulating hair growth.

So from the benefit of Kalonji oil is that it provides hair with the moistness that it needs. This helps in the nourishment of hair tissues and reinforces strength to the roots of your hair. In this case, the benefits of kalonji oil supersede those of kalonji seeds. 

Benefit #4 – Boosts Memory

Kalonji is known to treat weak memory. Boosting of memory is from the benefits of kalonji that are rarely known. Kalonji has properties that can boost memory power, concentration, and alertness. Mixing kalonji seeds with mint leaves or honey in water and also adding half a teaspoon of kalonji oil to it works like a charm. This mixture helps in regaining memory and makes it sharper. From other benefits of kalonji are that it increases concentration and prevents forgetfulness. It is effective on all age groups, but is of particular benefit to people of an old age.

Benefit # 5 – Battles Asthma

Another disease that has crept its way into the lives of people of all ages is Asthma. Asthma is growing  with the increasing levels of pollution. It has started reaching dangerous levels in the last 5 years. Asthma has started targeting large populations and severely affecting both young and old people. There are many home-made therapies that battle asthma and kalonji is one of the most powerful remedies. Drinking a mixture of Kalonji oil and honey in some warm water brings instant and prolonged relief from asthma.

Benefit #6 – Antioxidant Nature

Kalonji seeds and kalonji oils act as antioxidant that prevents oxidative damage to cells and protects the human body against several types of chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. It consists of composites like thymoquinone, carvacrol, t-anethole and 4-terpineol which have powerful antioxidant properties.

Benefit #7 – Improves Liver Health

Liver ailments can be treated properly with proper medical care and under professional guidance and kalonji can be used as a supplement to fasten the recovery. Kalonji oil when used with the approval of a doctor reduce the toxicity of the chemicals in your body. Kalonji oil has a strong tendency to protect the body against liver and kidney damage.

The antioxidants present in kalonji reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. That’s the reason why both kalonji seeds and kalonji oil can be used every day as a supplement to fight liver damage.

Benefit #8 – Lowers Cholesterol

High amounts of cholesterol in your blood increase your risk of heart disease, as is known widely. But what is not known is that, a natural remedy can help you against cholesterol.  Kalonji has been proven to be effective in lowering cholesterol. Kalonji decreases the bad LDL cholesterol, as well as blood triglycerides.

Although in this case, kalonji oil is much more effective than kalonji seeds but seeds can also increase the levels of good HDL cholesterol much more effectively. Some experiments suggest that taking 2 grams of kalonji daily for 12 weeks reduces both total LDL cholesterol and also increases the good and total HDL cholesterol.

Benefit #9 – Fights Cancer

Like already mentioned, kalonji has antioxidant properties. That help in fighting many chronic ailments. The most dangerous among them is cancer. Studies have revealed that kalonji has some characteristics which can potentially be used as an anti-cancer weapon.

This is because kalonji consists a compound called thymoquinone which is said to fight and kill harmful cells causing blood cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and skin cancer.

Benefit #10 – Normalizes Blood Sugar

Kalonji helps in keeping the blood sugar normalized. It also prevents dangerous adverse side effects of diabetes like increased thirst, unintentional weight loss, fatigue, nerve damage, vision changes and slow wound healing by improving levels of fasting, average blood sugar and insulin resistance.

Benefit #11 – Eases Joint Pain

Lastly, since ancient times kalonji seeds have been used for treating multiple ailments. The oldest use of these seeds has been to ease the pain in the joints. When kalonji seeds are mixed with essential oils like mustard oil etc, and applied all over the joints, the mixture is effective in reducing pain, inflammation, and stiffness. This helps in making the joints stronger.

Concluding Note  

Kalonji is used as a natural supplement to boost the body’s immune system and help fight diseases. That’s what kalonji should be used for. Its benefits go hand in hand with the actual medical procedures and should not be mistaken as a replacement for a medicine. When taken alongside a medicine or other medical treatments it also enhances the benefits of the treatment and provides quicker recovery.

Also Read:

• The Shilajit Story – Its Composition, Uses & Benefits
• Top 13 Benefits of Saffron [Scientific Research]
• Top 11 Benefits of Almonds {Backed by Science}
• Top 11 Benefits of Honey {Science Backed}
• 7 Anjeer Benefits that Make it a Must-Have Dry Fruit
• Top 21 Benefits of Dry Fruits [Science Backed]