Nigella in Herbalist: Ownership of Nigella

Scientific name

Nigella sativa

Family

Ranunculaceae

Origin

Central Asia

Synonyms

Parts 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.