Black Caraway Benefits, Usage, Dose, Side Effects – As Per Ayurveda
Black Caraway is an ancient Indian spice. It is widely used in after delivery care of the mother. It is good for eyes, bloating, vomiting etc. It is also used in children’s medicines. This little spice has huge health benefits with almost nil side effects.
Its botanical name is Carum bulbocastanum / Bunium bulbocastanum / Carum carvi, belongs to the family Umbelliferae (Satapushpa Kula)
Table of Contents
Medicinal qualities
Guna (qualities) – Laghu (light to digest), Rooksha (dry)
Rasa (Taste) – Katu (pungent)
Vipaka (taste conversion after digestion) – Katu (pungent)
Veerya (potency) – Ushna (hot)
Effect on Tridosha – Kaphavatashamaka – balances Kapha and Vata, increases Pitta
According to Ayurveda it is a very good
carminative (deepana),
digestive (pachana),
vedanasthapana (anti inflammatory and analgesic),
tikta balya (bitter tonic),
jwaraghna (antipyretic) and
ruchya (taste enhancer).
It is bitter in taste, possesses light and dry nature and hot in potency
Availability, varieties
Availability: It is available in Kashmir, Gadhaval, Kumavu, Afghanistan, Baluchisthan, at 6000 – 11000 feet height regions.
Varieties:
There are two herbs used in the name of Black cumin.
Carum bulbocastanum / Bunium bulbocastanum / Carum carvi – Black cumin, Black caraway
Nigella sativa – small fennel / Simple nigella / Kalonji
B. Pr. Ni – Jiraka, Krishna Jiraka, Upakunchika
Dh. Ni – Jiraka, Shukla Jiraka, Krishna Jiraka, Vanya Jiraka
Classical categorization
Bh. Pr Ni – Haritakyadi varga
Sanskrit Verses
Traditional Benefits
Deepana – improves digestion strength
Sangrahi – absorbent, useful in diarrhea
Medhya – improves intelligence
Garbhayashuddhikara
Jvaraghna – Useful in fever
Pachana – carminative
Vrushya – natural aphrodisiac
Balya – improves strength and immunity
Ruchya – improves taste
Chakshushya – good for eyes, improves vision power
Ruchya – improves taste
Dantashodhani – cleanses teeth
Useful in the treatment of
Adhmana – bloating, gaseous distension of abdomen
Gulma – Abdominal tumor, bloating
Chardi – vomiting
Atisara – diarrhea, dysentery
Shopha – inflammatory conditions
Jeernajvara – chronic stages of fever
Dose – 1 – 3 grams
Black Caraway Home Remedies
Diarrhea, pain abdomen
Black caraway seed decoction in diarrhea, pain abdomen and dysentery:
5-10 grams of caraway seeds are taken and slightly roasted. Added with 2 cups of water, boiled and reduced to half a cup, filtered. This decoction is administered in the dose of 20-30 ml twice or thrice daily. This helps to reduce diarrhea, pain abdomen and dysentery:
Body ache, tooth ache
Caraway seed oil in bodyache, toothache and finger web infections:
25-20 gram seeds are soaked with water and next day it is made into fine paste. To this 100 ml each sesame oil and water are added and cooked well in mild intensity of heat. This oil is used to apply over the body parts. It relieves joint pain, body ache, finger web infections etc. In case of toothache 3-4 drops of this oil is instilled to the base of the teeth or rubbed to the gum.
Menstrual pain
Black caraway Seed powder with jaggery in menstrual pain:
10 grams each of seed powder and jaggery are taken and mixed well. This bolus is taken twice daily for 10-12 days prior to the expected date of menstruation. It helps to regularize the period and to relieve menstrual pain and dysmenorrhea.
Read related: Menstrual Pain, Painful Periods – Natural Ayurvedic Herbal Home Remedies
Abdominal distension, nausea
Cumin, Kali jeeri, remedy for abdominal distension, nausea, bloating, burping etc:
Fine powder of cumin seeds, caraway and rock salt are taken and mixed well. 1 teaspoon of this is taken along with warm water. This is very effective in cases like abdominal distension, digestive disturbances, tastelessness, nausea, bloating, burping etc.
Skin diseases, insect bite
Fine paste of the leaves in skin diseases and wasp bite:
Clean and fresh matured leaves are collected and fresh juice is obtained by pounding. This is applied over the itching skin lesions and over the bitten parts of leeches in forest. Also it is effective in wasp bite.
Mouth freshener
Chewing few grains of cumin and caraway seeds for mouth refreshing:
1-2 pinch of grains of cumin as well as caraway are chewed after or before food. This acts as a mouth refresher and relieves abdominal bloating, nausea etc
Bleeding gums
Roasted caraway seeds with rock salt for bleeding gums:
Roasted caraway seeds and rock salt are taken in a 3:1 ratio and mixed well. This is applied or rubbed over the gums in case of gum bleeding.
Anti emetic pill
Traditional anti emetic pill:
10 gram of slightly fried black cumin seeds,
5 gram cumin seeds,
5 gram of jaggery and
3 gram of tamarind fruit pulp are taken together and pounded well.This is made into the pills(bolus) of 1 gram each and dried under shade.
This is taken by chewing in the conditions of vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, etc.
Read related: 8 Traditional Home Remedies Using Tamarind Leaves, Fruit, Seeds
For bilious headache
Black Caraway powder in bilious headache:
2-3 grams of fine powder of black cumin seeds are taken along with butter milk or lemon water (5 ml lemon juice and 100 ml water/Sharbat).This pacifies bilious headache. In all pitta aggravated conditions this is beneficial. In jaundice also this can be used.
Alopecia
Kalijiri taila in alopecia:
Readymade caraway oil is available in the market and this is applied over the hair loss area of alopecia. Constant application helps to regain the hair in the lesion.
Or else the oil can be prepared by cooking 50 gram seeds with 100 ml oil and water till complete evaporation of water.
Diarrhea
Black caraway decoction in diarrhea:
For diarrhea, instant relief is found if the decoction of caraway is administered 2-3 times in the dose of 15 ml, hourly. The abdominal pain, distension, vomiting sensation etc are also relieved and good appetite is observed.
Kidney, liver dysfunction
Krishna jeeraka powder with honey in Kidney and liver dysfunctions:
2-3 gram fine powder of Caraway is administered with little honey in chronic liver disorders as well as renal problems. It strengthens the organs and keeps the vitals stable.
Pin worm
Papaya seed and Krishna jeeraka powder in pinworms:
Equal quantities of both the above said herbs are taken and fine powder is made. This is administered daily in an empty stomach in the dose of 2-3 grams along with warm water. This relieves the long persisting problem of pinworms in children. In adults decoction has to be prepared from the above herbs and to be administered.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD
Black Caraway after delivery
In South Indian custom, after delivery, A water decoction made with black caraway is administered to the mother from day 2 to day 10. In a dose of 15 ml in the morning, empty stomach. It is done to fight post delivery infection and to strengthen the mother’s internal system.
Black Caraway for PCOS
It helps to lose weight, reduce the size of the cyst and to regularize menstruation. People with PCOS can take this in a quarter of a teaspoon mixed with honey and swallow with water for 2 months.
Morphology
Carum carvi biennial much-branched herb growing up to 30 – 80 cm in height. Leaves are dark green, finely cut and feathery. Flowers are white in color and produced on umbels.
Distribution
The plant is found in Europe, Siberia, the Caucasus, the near East, the Himalayas, Mongolia and Morocco. (a)
Ayurvedic medicines
Ayurvedic medicines using Black cumin seeds:
Madana Kameswari Lehyam – An Aphrodisiac herbal jam
Vayu Gulika – Used in cold, fever, bloating etc.
Virechana Gulika – Used to induce purgation.
Kombanchadi Gulika – Used in fever, cough and cold in kids.
In Ayurvedic classical literatures we find across several important formulations containing Krishna jeeraka and few among them are –
Jirakadyaarista (Bhaishajya ratnavali, Sutika roga vikara),
Jirakadi modaka (Yogagrantha),
Yogaraja guggulu (Bhaishajya ratnavali, Aamavatadikara),
Ashta choornam (Ashtanga Hridaya,Gulma chikitsa),
Krshnajeeraka taila (Gada nigraha) etc.
Vernacular names, Sanskrit synonyms
Names in different languages:
Hindi name –Syah jeera, Kali Jeera, Kala jeera, Krishnajeera
Bengali name – Kala Jeere, Krishna jeera
English name – Meridian Fennel, Black caraway, Black cumin.
Marathi name – Shahaajire, Shahajeeram, Kalejeere
Gujarati name – Shaahjeeru
Telugu name – Sheema jilkar, Shimaisapoo
Tamil name – Shimayishiragam, Shimah shombu
Kannada name – Kari jeerige, Karijeerake
Arabic name – Kamoone aramani
Farsi name – Jeera e syaah
Sanskrit Synonyms:
Kashmirajiraka, Udgarashodhana,
Sugandha, Bahugandha – Fruit has agreeable odor
Ruchya – Increase taste
Jarana – Good digestive
Kali – Bruit is black in color
Dantashodhani
Chemical composition
A valuable essential oil rich in carvone is obtained from the seeds. It is pale yellow in color and possesses a strong odor. The distinct flavor and taste of caraway is because of ‘carvones’ and ‘caveols’.
Chemical constituents
A valuable essential oil rich in carvone is obtained from the seeds. It is pale yellow in color and possesses strong odour. The distinct flavour and taste of caraway is because of ‘carvones’ and ‘caveols’.
The other important constituents are flavonoid antioxidants such as lutein, carotene, crypto-xanthin and zea-xanthin. It is also an excellent source of minerals like iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, selenium copper, zinc and magnesium. The seeds also contain many vital vitamins like A, E, C as well as a number of B-complex vitamins. Thus the seeds are encapsulated like multi dimensional bodily requirements of minerals and trace elements.
Principal volatile compounds of caraway are carvone, limonene, carveol, pinene, cumuninic aldehyde, furfural and thujone. These active constituents are known to have potent antioxidant, digestive, carminative and antiflatulent properties.
shelf of kitchen. Proper usage will help to prevent as well as to cure several simple ill health
Morphology
Biennial but occasionally forming a perennial stock
Stem – Erect, branched, 35 -50 cm tall
Leaves – Pinnate with several pairs of segments which are sessile, upper leaves are smaller and less divided
Inflorescence – Umbel having 8 -10 rays
Fruit – around 5 mm long, linear – oblong and usually curved with prominent ribs
Part Used
The seeds/fruits are used mainly in the baking industry, perfumery, medicines and in the preparation of some beverages. The oil obtained from carvi (Carvi oil) is used chiefly for flavoring wines, scenting soaps, tooth pastes, cosmetics and to add to the perfumes.
Substitute
Fruit of Bunium persicum
Adulterant
Cuminum cyminum
Side effects
There are no known side effects with Kala Jeera in the said dosage. Like we saw, it is used in mothers, soon after delivery and also in kids. There is no record to say that it is unsafe during pregnancy. However, it is best to avoid it during pregnancy.
Interaction with medicines, supplements
Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.
Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.
With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.
Black caraway seed oil benefits
This oil is also widely used to improve skin tone, to treat acne, scar, dark spots and as moisturizer.
It is known to promote hair growth.
The oil contains omega-6 linoleic acid , omega-9 oleic acid, thymoquinone, nigellone, melanthin, nigilline, damascenine, and tannins. It is also known to help body produce prostaglandin E1, which is useful to treat erectile dysfunction.
However, its over-dosage must be strictly avoided, due to fear of toxic symptoms.
Systemic Action (Sthanika Karma)
Digestive System – Mouth refresher, Appetizer, increases digestive fire, , facilitates movement of vata dosha in normal direction, Absorbent. Indicated in loss of appetite, anorexia, indigestion, Colic pain, Abdominal distension, indigestion
Circulatory System – Good for Heart
Excretory System – Induce urine production. In conditions like Dysuria, Urinary tract infection, Renal calculi jeera powder can be administered along with sugar.
Reproductive System – improve breast milk production after delivery. It helps to cleanses the after delivery
Tapakrama – Indicated in fever (Jirna jvara), improves digestive fire
71 comments
Deepak
black seed or nigella sativa seems to be different.Doesn’t look like shahjeera.Google search for nigella is showing different pictures.Just FYI
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Hi,
Kaduva jeera, Vana jeera, Somraj, Kali jiri, Kaduvo jiri, these names are applied to Vernonia anthelmintica. The seed is little elongatedand, ribbed and hairy. As the name is indicative it is used for antihelmenthic properties to evade worms etc.
Kalongi, Krishna jiraka, Kala jira, Black cumin names are for Nigella sativa. It is Galactagogue and a tonic. The seeds are dark black in color and smaller in size.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
You can use. You can find the Vayu Gulika details here – http://ayurmedinfo.com/2012/05/18/vayu-gulika-benefits-dose-side-effects-how-to-use-ingredients/
anil kumar saxena bhopal MP
kala jeeri is diffrent than kalongi and shah jira.
roopali
Then which is best kali jeeri or kalongi
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Both are good and have their own benefits.
Sheikh Dastagiri
Sir,
Can we use Black cumin seed oil or kalongi oil in organic soaps and at what percentage.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Depends on other ingredients – it may range from 0.5 to up to 2 % v/w
surjit
Can black seed oil be used in cooking ? If so, what are the guidelines & precautions ?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Hi, Black seed oil should only be used in very small quantities of – 2 – 5 ml only. Hence, not advisable for cooking.
surjit
Thanks,Dr.Hebbar,for your valuable advice.
jyoti
hi black ziri ajwayen &methi dana powder in the morning&night &biack Til after having lunch &dinner .both thing can be consumed.
sonal
Which is best for wt loss kalongi or Kali jeeri??
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Both are very useful.
Dr Malini Bhat
Madam, Any medicine for the kids are not advised without expert supervision.
ratnasinh
Dr. what is kala jira it means shahi jira or kadu korhal in marathi pls tell me.
Surjit Singh
Kala jeera & shahjeera is one & same thing . But it not kalonji.
DT Korade
Kala Jeera & Shahjeera may not be same It is just difference like kala til & white til Normal Jeera taste & Kala jeera taste is same
Kavita
Jeera mathi & ajwain ke mixture mein kadu jeera effective hai ki Kali jeera&
Dr Malini Bhat
Kali jeera madam.
Kartik
Hello doctor,
Which home remedies can be used on a daily basis to improve insulin sensitivity of cells.
Thanks
Amarjeet Singh
What is the active compounds present in Kalijiri (Vernonia anthelmintica) seed in relation with bitter taste.
tia
Kya such me weight loss karta hai or kitne din me plz reply
Dr Malini Bhat
Hello Madam, Abhi jo research hua he uske hisab se Black seed oil ke massage se weight loss hota he.
Dr Malini Bhat
You can chew one tsp of jeera, chew and swallow.
Gururaj Jahagirdar
Whether Kaala jeera or nigella sativa which is availble in market can be used for diabetes treatment or not.If so how to take & what is the dose? Wherher to take raw or heated on pan Please clarify my doubt
Gururaj Jahagirdar
When I contacted an Ayurvedic doctor,he told that he does not have knowledge of Kalonji oil seeds.Further Dr Hebbar not confirmed to take seeds raw or warmed.pl advise us to take dose of Kalonji seed oil for diabetes.
Usha Natarajan
Doctor, kalonji and black cumin are same or different?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Black cumin is used for Kalonji.
Look at the picture above. Only this is Kalonji.
Indira
I am confused which is black cumin or nigella sativa seeds. There are two different spices shown in the net. One that looks like black sesame and the other which looks like a blacker version of cummin. So when the concoction says black cummin which do I use. I have a combination of black cummin (1part) : fenugreek (5part) : ajwain (2part). All to be toasted lightly n ground. A teaspoon to be consumed with a glass of water after food for cleansing and well being of body. Lease advise if this is okay Abd which black cummin to use. Thanks.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Hi, Black cumin is black variety of cumin.
Nigella sativa is this – easyayurveda.com/2015/02/03/kalonji-nigella-sativa-uses-side-effects-research/
veena
Does black jeers help to reducensure oetroporosis
biral
Hello Dr hebbar,
I made mixture of Methi,Ajwain and Nigella sativa(Kalonji) .AS there is difference betwwen Kala Jera and Kali jeeri.What are best to use from there.?
i made power of Methi (200) ,Ajwain (100) and Kalonji (50gm).Shall i add Kali Jeeri(centratherum anthelminticum) (50gm) to it?Would it have any effects?I think there ratio will be different.
please guide me..thank you.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Good combination. 3 grams, 2 times a day, after food with water for 2 months is good to take.
Sheefali
Is it helpful to gain weight n to increase height even after 18 ??
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
It is more used for cleansing and detoxifying, rather than nutrition purpose. Hence, it would not be very useful for the said purposes.
Shani
Is it harmful during pregnancy ?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Not if taken just for two weeks. It is cleansing in nature. And cleansing action is not required during pregnancy
birla
Recently ,i have purchased Manjistha.Would this combination of Methi (200) ,Ajwain (100) and Kalonji (50gm) Kali Jeeri(centratherum anthelminticum) (50gm) and 50-100 gm Manjistha be helpful?
Please suggest me..
Sandip
Dear Sir Pls. kalonji in Gujarati Names ???
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
I think it is called Kalonji itself. I am not sure.
Manikandan Kumaravel
Dr whether black cumin has any role in treatment of auto immune disease like SLE
Dr vijay
Hi
Doc.
Kala jeera is same as shaha jeera or different.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Black variety of Shah jeera is Kala jeera.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
It is slightly bitter.
Raksha
Plz give the combination kahi jeera, kalonji,mentya,ajwain is quantity for weight loss
Usha Natarajan
Thanks for giving a proper proportion. Please also brief again the benefits of taking this powder.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Useful in diabetes, bodyache, high cholesterol, high BP, recurrent fever, low immunity, low metabolism, to relieve ama and obesity.
MD MOSTAFA
Dear sir
Which is better kalajira or kalajira oil for good health??????
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Both are equally good.
Sudha satish
Is kari jeera an kalonji one and the same?
Sumedha joshi
Does kala jeera ajwain n methi seed powder increases acidity
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Kala jeera can slightly increase acidity. The other two do not.
Sugureshwara
Back pain regarding suggest sir
Gautham Jain
sir black pepper good against sugar and how do we control sugar when we re not diabetic yet
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
There is no need to control blood sugar when we are not diabetic. Just adopting healthy eating and lifestyle habits are good enough.
Exercise.
Avoid junk foods, aerated drinks, soda and fizz drinks.
Harsha
Is it useful for renal patient to reduce creatinine ??
Kalpana
Dear Sir, could you kindly suggest a remedy for flatulence and bloating. Thank you.
monika
hello sir,plz tell me how to loose weight,,,plesas please
Cjuan
There seems to be another one called Kala Jeera (aka ‘black cumin’) used in cooking in northern India. I believe it’s called Bunium persicum. Vernonia is not outdated, and is replaced with Centratherum (anthelminticum). All of them have been indiscriminately called ‘black cumin’. Can you beat that thickheadness?!
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Hi, black variety of cumin is Centratherum.
Black cumin = Kalonji = Nigella sativa.
Usha
Doctor, what is the shelf life of these prepared powders? Can we keep it for 1year?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
6 months to 1 year.
amutha
Doctor, please clarify whether the proportional combination of these three (mehthi, ajwain and karunjeera) will detoxify the allopathic medicines taken earlier for szhizophrenia for the past 5 years from the body and back to normal body shape ?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Its paste can be applied for hair wash
Kathiravan
Krishna jeeraka is Katu rasa Katu vipaka and ushna veerya then how it is vrusya, and balya
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Rarely the taste and veerya rule does not apply to vrushya action. For eg ashwagandha pippali etc
Terrence
These seeds are unpalatable and difficult to chew. Anyone have ideas on how best to take them? Also is a teaspoon about a gram? I don’t have a scale.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
half a teaspoon of this can be fried dry or with ghee and be consumed.
Swastik Basu
Sir, can I prepare karinjeerakam oil using Shah jeera and methi for hair growth?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
It is not commonly used for hair growth. Black cumin oil is often used.
Read more about it here
https://www.easyayurveda.com/2015/02/03/kalonji-nigella-sativa-uses-side-effects-research/