Saturday 12 July 2008

Health Benefits of Kalonji Seeds


Kalojni Seeds
are also known as Black Onion Seeds, Black Cumin Seeds, Black Seeds and Nigella Seeds.

These seeds are very similar in size to a sesame seed, they are black in colour and have a very fragrant strong aroma.

Used mainly in bread recipes and savoury dishes; kalonji has a very distinctive aroma and taste. If you love to eat Indian cuisine then you will more than likely love the flavour of the kalonji seed.

Although extremely delicious, kalonji seeds are not just good for flavouring your favourite recipes, kalonji seeds have amazing health benefits too.




See how small the black kalonji seeds are on the end of a butter knife.



See how small the kalonji seeds are in comparison to a pistachio nut.




Kalonji Seeds Health Benefits

Kalonji seeds have been know to have many healing properties including migraine, chronic colds, palpitations, alopecia, asthma, bee stings, paralysis, amnesia, skin disorders, facial palsy, earache and respiratory diseases.



Kalonji is also known to benefit the stomach due to anti-bacterial properties.



Cold pressed Kalonji oil can help with dry skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis and has benefits to the scalps and joints through massage.




Kalonji seeds are an expectorant.

They are also known to be beneficial for respiratory problems and are anti-inflammatory.




If Kalonji seeds are used in conjunction with vinegar they are known to help gum and teeth problems including pain.

You can take kalonji seeds as they are in cooking or as a cold pressed oil or powder.

To see Jeenas recipes using Kalonji Seeds see:

Chicken Biryani Recipe

Arabic Beef Rice Recipe

Roasted Vegetables Recipe


Lamb Keema Bulgar Wheat


16 comments:

Lisa Turner said...

I've long enjoyed using kalonji seeds in my cooking, but I wasn't aware of their health benefits. Thanks for this informative post.

test it comm said...

I don't think I have ever had Kalojni seeds. They sound interesting though. I will have to look for some.

La Bella Cooks said...

Who knew this little seeds had so many healing properties? I bought a tin of nigella seeds the last time I visited Dean and Deluca and am in need of another. I make a nigellan flatbread with them. Very yummy. Thanks for the information, Jeena!

Katie said...

How neat! How do you know all of this helpful information?

giz said...

A great post and I especially like that you include recipes on how to use them. I have never used them but now I'm on the lookout. Great!!!

Paula said...

I've seen these in the wafer thin, super crisp "bread" that our favorite Indian Restaurant provides with their meals. It's nice to know what they are, and I'll keep an eye out for them from now on. I love how "ancient" cuisines incorporate so many healthy ingredients.

grace said...

i had these little suckers for the first time on some stellar pita bread from a middle eastern restaurant. they really do add a lot to it! i appreciate the info! :)

Sum Raj said...

very well explained jeena....i have heard abt this kalonji but never tried...

Anonymous said...

Great information! Thank you. I didn't know any of this.

Rod Newbound said...

Nice post Jeena,

I never realized Nigella sativa had so many medicinal properties. But with the common name Love-in-a-Mist, I should have known it was more than just a pretty (and easy to grow) flower.

Thanks for the yummy sounding recipes. I'm going out to find some seed this weekend.

Thanks,
Rod Newbound, RN

Nigella sativa said...

Black cumin seed is also called as Nigella Sativa. It was first discovered in Egypt. It was used to cure respiratory tract problems, irregular periods, headaches, liver, stomach problems, and skin problems. It have multi-vitamin, multi-mineral properties which aid healthy skin, lustrous hair and shining strong nails. It also cures mouth ulcerations, bad breath, cures pain from insect or animal bites etc.

Anonymous said...

Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) stated Kolonji ( black seed) is cure for all ailments except death
ateeq

Anonymous said...

Prophet muhammed (SAW) did state that these seeds are the cure for all ailments except death,subhanallah.

and its true they have so much healing power, if you pound them mix with some white vinegar to form a paste and rub on your face it gets rid of blackheads, whiteheads, acne and skin dryness!!!


(also i think they are referred as onion seeds in english,but im not 100percent)

Unknown said...

Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) stated Kolonji (onion seeds/black seed) is cure for all ailments except death.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jeena,

Not long ago I also thought that Kalonji were onion seeds but they are not as wrongly labelled by many companies. They are eaten by Jains in India too who refrain from onion and garlic in their diet.I have checked from various sources.

Anonymous said...

Can these be ground with a mortar and pestle and added to the Naan dough ground? I have been doing Naan on the grill with Kalonji for a while now and the neighbors are all a buzz about my Naan. But we all know there are some kids who will not eat stuff with black seeds on it. Can I grind them and sneak them in?