Nigella sativa: Properties, processing and food applications

Abstract

Nigella sativa (black cumin or black seed) is an herb which is having an ample level of preservative and therapeutic effects. Black cumin is applied for its healing effects like bronchodilator, hypotensive, hypoglycaemic, CNS depressant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immunopotentiating and is even emphasized about the same in some of the ancient religious literatures. It has been used as powder, whole spice or as essential oil or oleoresins. It has been documented that thymoquinone is the potential compound for all such properties of black cumin. The present review is aimed to deal with the therapeutic and food applications of black cumin (Nigella sativa) seeds and their essential oil.