Scientific name
Nigella sativa
Family
Ranunculaceae
Origin
Central Asia
Synonyms
Bridesmaid or young girlParts Used
Drug consisting of the aerial parts and seeds
Chemical constituents
- Saponins;
- Alkaloids (damascenin);
- Polyphenols;
- Essential oil;
- Fatty acids.
Nigella in Herbalist: Ownership of Nigella
Nigella has antipyretic and anti-edematous properties, mainly due to the alkaloids; however, it is the latter that limit its use, due to the possible onset of toxic effects.
In vitro, Nigella extracts exhibit antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and sedative activity on the CNS, but no in vivo clinical studies are available to confirm their efficacy.
