Abstract
Seeds of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) have been frequently used in folk medicine for several medicinal purposes including to treat cough,
asthama, diarrhoea, fever, common cold, headache, rheumatic disease, stomach disorders, dyslipidaemia, infections and to expel
worms from the intestine. It is also effective for scorpion and spider strings and bites of snake, cat and dog. Seeds of N. sativa have
also hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antihistaminic and anti-inflammatory effects. Recently, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal,
antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, and anticancer properties of seeds of N. sativa have also been established. Nigellon, thymohydroquinone
(THQ), thymoquinone and thymol (THY) are its active ingredients which are responsible for its therapeutic effects. N. sativa also
contains carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, mineral elements, essential amino acids and proteins. The seeds of N. sativa can be poisonous
to man in high doses.
