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What is Kalonji?
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Kalonji, which may also be called nigella, refers to small black seeds grown on Kalonji bushes, which are grown widely through India. The plant may have originally been grown in Turkey and/or Italy, but according to herbal lore has been grown in India for several millennia. Kalonji is both flavoring, added to a variety of traditional foods, and an herbal remedy that has been touted as the magic bullet for a variety of ailments.
Kalonji seeds are about the same size as sesame seeds, though they have a more triangular instead of oval shape. In foods, you’ll find kalonji seeds in a variety of recipes. They may be added to traditional Indian flatbread (naan), any type of curry or stew, and to dal. Lovers of these little black seeds praise their nutlike, somewhat peppery taste. To make this taste most evident, kalonji may be prepared first by being roasted in a pan. Due to the high oil content, it is unnecessary to add other oils during the roasting process.
Sometimes the seeds are used to make oil. It’s rare to find such oil outside of India or Arabic countries, but you can order it online. It’s normally used more as an herbal remedy than as cooking oil, and may be present in a variety of lotions or ointments to treat skin conditions.
Some of the ailments which kalonji purportedly cures include:
- Common cold
- Male pattern baldness
- Facial paralysis
- Kidney and Bladder stones
- Earache
- Asthma
- Dysentery
- Amnesia
- Heart Palpitations
- Rabies
The list of supposed cures is extremely extensive and nigella is said to cure anything short of death or plague. These are obviously inflated claims with little evidence to prove any truth regarding most of them. The use of these black seeds may be helpful as a laxative because of their high oil content, and the oil made from the seeds might be helpful in treating dry skin. Beyond that, most of the purported herbal remedies are based on slim and anecdotal evidence, with little Western medical evidence in the form of double-blind clinical trials to support claims of the magic cures the seeds supposedly offer.
Despite dubious claims regarding health benefits, these black seeds can be a tasty addition to foods, and if they do promote health, this may be the ideal use of kalonji. Consider topping breads with kalonji, adding a few seeds to soups or stews, or mixing them into hummus for extra texture.
Tricia Christensen
Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.
Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.
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![Kalonji seeds (also known as black caraway, Roman coriander and blackseed).]()
Kalonji seeds (also known as black caraway, Roman coriander and blackseed). -
![Indian flatbread can be flavored with kalonji.]()
By: SerhadIndian flatbread can be flavored with kalonji. -
![Kalonji may be added to to dal for extra flavoring.]()
By: Monkey BusinessKalonji may be added to to dal for extra flavoring. -
![Kalonji grows widely through India.]()
By: TupungatoKalonji grows widely through India. -
![Kalonji is purported to treat kidney stones.]()
By: p6m5Kalonji is purported to treat kidney stones.
Discussion Comments
So, it should not be used in satvik food as it is onion..
According to Muslim belief it can cure any disease except death.
When I was little, my mum used to soak the seeds in water and they swelled, and when a glutinous substance appeared, we used to drink it as a refresher. Were those the Kalonji seeds? I am trying to find the English equivalent word. We use to say 'tocmaria' in Mauritius. No idea where this word comes from?
Jau means Javas in marathi.
I understand that kalonji will work on Parkinson's disease. Is this true? Please advise.
Thanks for this article. I have kalonji in my cupboard, but have never used it. I will definitely start using it!
Western medicine will only study drugs that benefit big pharma. There are so many natural cures that they will never touch. Look at cancer. They are like a dog chasing their tail! There are so many natural cures already that work, but they keep "looking for the cure", but don't look beyond drugs, radiation, and surgery.
What is kalunji in marathi? What is jau in marathi?
Kalonji can also cure male impotence. Just take 11 dots with milk every day before meals. Within a month, you will feel the difference. To get quick results also eat Injeer daily.
Mohd. Fasihuddin under 'post 21' has indicated correctly that Onion Seeds and Kalonji are not the same! Kalonji is available at every Spice Store. Kalonji Oil can be purchased at health/herbal food or online. Although science hasn't had enough study done on it, I am definitely going to try for my psoriasis. I just read on this site called 'Nature' that it cures pretty much everything except death!
In Malayalam it is known as 'Karimjeerakam'. Be further informed that it is not same as 'Ell' which is 'sesame.'
Science can't prove any thing about it. It's a cure for every thing except death. One should know how to use it.
Western medicine has not even cured the common cold and does not accept natural remedies, but only chemical preparations which cost exorbitant amounts. At only 200 years, modern science was responsible for killing George Washington who was suffering just a fever and these doctors cut off his wrists.
Shall we call it a black sesame seed? Is it the same Kalonji?
Kalonji is black seed and is also called negelle or karimjeeragam.
Kalonji means mangraila in Hindi.
Can we take kalonji in powder form? What is the the dose for it?
Sorry to say there are a lot of contradictory names for kalonji seeds. Some say it is known as ell in Malayalam and next it is said not ell but karum jiragam in Malayalam, so which is which?
Some say it is onion seeds and next they say it is not onion seed etc. all these statements are very confusing wonder what is the true name of this Nigella Sativa in Malayalam and in Tamil? Can some one enlighten me on this please?
Kalonji is commonly known as mangrela.
What is the name of gonth (gum of the tree)? Which gonth tree should be used?
please let me know the name of kalonji oil in Hindi/Malayam.
what is Kalonji called in Marathi?
Is kalonji any good for a hoarse voice please?
Can kalonji cure constipation?
Are kalonji and onion seeds the same?
kalonji is not karinjeerakam in malayalam. Karinjeerkam has the shape of a jeera or cumin.
kalonji is entirely different and looks like sesame. Kalonji can be purchased from Broadway in Ernakulam (in Kerala).. Karinjeerakam will also be available in those spice shops.
kalonji is not ell in malayalam. it is karinjeerakam
Answer to Q-16. Kalonji. In Oriya it is Kalajeera. Gonth I'm trying to find out.
In Malayalam it is pronounced as ell and gondh or gum tree = Kunthirikkam, it is an incense.
Black seed known as Kalonji is similar to sesame seeds, which are off white in color.
Normally, black small ladoo is made of it,
and God is an incense which is used by Indian Muslim or Christians to purify their homes and place of worship.
Found out by asking a lot of people. Ninan R.
what is the hindi word for kalonji?
I would like to know whether Kalonji is useful in treating Osteoporosis.
can someone tell me the oriya meaning of Kalunji seeds and gondh tree?
chirayta and kalonji - Are they the same or different?
is kalonji good for spinal cord injuries?
kalonji seeds are black and triangular in shape. onion seeds are bigger but not triangular. most of us confused between the two. dawasaz is the right person to show you both the seeds you can differentiate easily. if anybody can disclaim my findings, please do so.
mohd fasihuddin
Please tell me the Malayalam of "Kalonji" and "Gonth" (gum of tree) is.
kalonji called in telugu as nalla jeelakarra available in many ayurveda and general stores
another name also there that is ulliittanam(onionseed).
kalonji in kannada is called kalu jeerege
1. what is kalonji in oriya language ?
2.what is gondh(tree) in oriya language ?
Please let me know what gonth (gum of tree) is called in malayalam.
Please let me know what Kalonji is called in Hindi.
What is Salajeet? Extracted from a special rock when heated.
what is kalonji in tamil?
kalonji in tamil is called as "KARUNJEERAGAM"
what is the name kaloonji in Malayalam?
Kalonjee is called as karum jeeragam in tamil. It is available in all 'indian (not allopathic)medical shops'.
what are kalonji seeds called in Canada? where is it available in bangalore.
What is kalonji in Kannada language and also in marathi?
what is kalonji in tamil?
Kalonji in Telugu is 'Kalonjilu'
what is kalonji in telugu language ?
The seeds of kalonji and the onion seed look alike. What is the difference?
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