INTRODUCTION
Kalonji (Nigella sativa) (Ranunculaceae family) is an annual herbaceous plant, is believed to be indigenous to the Mediterranean region but has been majorly cultivated in Saudi Arabia, northern Africa and parts of Asia. It is tiny, hairy and ~3mm in length. Nigella sativa reproduces with itself and forms a fruit capsule which consists of many white trigonal seeds. Once the fruit capsule has matured, it opens up and the seeds contained within are exposed to the air, becoming black in color. Kalonji is truly a remarkable herb that has been used for over 3000 years. It contains over 100 valuable components. It is a significant source of essential fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates, Vitamins and minerals.

Synonyms: Black caraway, black cumin, Kalonji, Shonaiz.

HISTORY OF KALONJI
Dioscoredes, a Greek physician of the 1st century, recorded that Kalonji was taken to treat headaches, nasal congestion, toothache, intestinal worms and a diuretic to promote menstruation and increase milk production.

In the Greco-Arab/Unani-Tibb system of medicine, which originated from Hippocrates, his contemporary Galen and Ibn Sina, Kalonji has been regarded as a valuable remedy in hepatic and digestive disorders and cold in humans.

Kalonji as the seed “that stimulates the body’s energy and helps recovery from fatigue or dispiritedness( Ibn Sina, 980-1037)

Kalonji has been traditionally and successfully used in the Middle and Far East countries for centuries to treat ailments including bronchial asthma and bronchitis, rheumatism and related inflammatory diseases, to increase milk production in nursing mothers, to treat digestive disturbances, to support the body’s immune system, to promote digestion and to fight parasitic infestation. Its oil has been used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and boils and is used topically to treat cold symptoms.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE
Monosaccharides: Glucose, Rhamnose, Xylose and Arabinose.

Dietary fiber: a non-starch polysaccharide component.

Unsaturated and essential fatty acids: Linoleic and Linoleic acid.

Essential amino acids: Fifteen amino acids make up the protein content of the Kalonji, including eight of the nine essential amino acids.

Arginine: Essential for infant growth.

Carotene: Converts in to Vitamin-A (in liver) which has anti-cancer activity.

Source of vital minerals: Calcium, Iron, Sodium and Potassium.
IMMUNE SYSTEM STRENGTHENING

Enhance human immunity, particularly in immune compromise patients. So, Kalonji has important role in the treatment of cancer and AIDS. Kalonji enhanced the ratio between helper T-cells and suppresser T-cells by 55% with a 30% average enhancement of the natural killer (NK) cell activity (El-Kadi and Kandil, 1986., Dr. Basil Ali et al., 1993., Haq 1997)

ANTI-HISTAMINE ACTIVITY
Crystalline nigellone in Kalonji inhibits histamine (inhibits protein kinase C and decreased the uptake of calcium in mast cells, which triggers the release of histamine). (Badr-El-Din & Mahfouz, 1960., Nirmal Chakravarty, 1993). So used in the treatment of bronchial asthma and other allergic diseases.

ANTI-TUMOR PRINCIPLES
Nigella sativa seeds have potent anti-tumor activity (Chakravarty, 1991). â- sitosterol, which is known to have anti carcinogenic activity. (Michael Tierra,1995).

ANTI-BACTERIAL ACTIVITY
The oil proved to be more effective against many strains of bacteria, including V. cholera, E. coli and all strains of Shigella spp., except Shigella dysentriae. (Pakistan Journal of Pharmacy,1989).

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY
Kalonji can be used to treat arthritis by the inhibition of Eicasanoid generation, (El-Dakhakny, 1960).

PROMOTES LACTATION
Kalonji oil increases the milk output of breast feeding mothers (Agarwhal, 1979).

KALONJI HEALTH BENEFITS - PUBLISHED REPORTS
Kalonji increases immune function (U.S. Patents Sections, Antiviral Agents Bulletin #5,482,711).

Kalonji stimulates bone marrow & immune cells, protects normal cells against cell destroying effects of viruses, destroys tumor cells and raises the number of anti-bodies producing â- cells (Cancer Immuno-biology Laboratory, South Carolina ).

Kalonji proves to have an ant histamine, anti oxidant, antibiotic, antimycotic and bronchodilating effect (Study of Kalonji oil on humans, American Scientists ).

Kalonji tests prove to be genuine universal remedy (Pharmaceutical newspaper, Wissenschaftlicher Text).

Kalonji is a valuable source of protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, Vitamins A, B1, B2, C and Niacin as well as minerals such as Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium, Selenium and zinc. (Phytochemicals of Nigella sativa seeds. Food Chemistry).

OTHER BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Improves kidney function.
Promotes regulation of blood pressure.
Promotes detoxification of the liver.
Expectorant.
Stimulates the production of perspiration.
Promotes menses in women.
Promotes the increase of milk production in nursing mothers.
Carminative.
Increase sperm count in men.
Promotes the expulsion of intestinal parasites.
Promotes digestion and elimination.

CONCLUSION
It is an advice to all, to eat Kalonji in small quantities regularly to get red of all ailments except death.