Nigella sativa: A magic herb of pivotal importance

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been used for curing diseases for many centuries in different indigenous systems of medicine as well as folk medicines. Moreover, medicinal plants are also used in the preparation of herbal medicines as they are considered to be safe as compared to modern allopathic medicines. Many researchers are focusing on medicinal plants since only a few plant species have been thoroughly investigated for their medicinal properties, potential, mechanism of action, safety evaluation and toxicological studies. Nigella sativa (nigella or kalonji), is an annual flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae. The herb is widely used in the treatment of various disease of human ailment.  The present paper deals with the medicinal attributes of the herb.