The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s1.t3: Nigella Sativa

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s1.t3

Language: English

Nigella Sativa

c5.s1.t3.1

*Sans.* कृष्णजीरक, Krishnajiraka. *Vern.* Kálájirá, *Beng.* Mugrela, *Hind.*

THE seeds of Nigella sativa are regarded as aromatic, carminative stomachic and digestive, and are used in indigestion, loss of appetite, fever, diarrhœa puerperal diseases etc. They are also said to increase the secretion of milk, and are therefore given to recently delivered females in combination with a few other medicines. Nigella seeds are scattered between layers of woolen clothes, shawls etc., to preserve them from insects. This use of the seeds appears to be common all over India.

c5.s1.t3.3

In intermittent fever nigella seeds slightly roasted are recommended to be given in two drachm doses with the addition of an equal quantity of treacle.³

c5.s1.t3.4

³ कालाजाजी तु सगुड़ा विषमज्वर नाशिनी ।

c5.s1.t3.5

In loss of appetite and distaste for food a confecti on made of Nigella seeds, cumin seeds, black pepper, raisins, tamarind pulp, pomegranate juice and sonchal salt, with treacle and honey is said to be very useful.¹

c5.s1.t3.6

¹ कारव्यजाजीमरिचं द्राक्षाट्याम्लदाडिमम् । सौवर्चलं गुडं चौद्रं सर्वा-रोचकनाशनम् । चक्रदत्तः ।

c5.s1.t3.7

Chakradatta recommends the administration of nigella seeds with the addition of long pepper, sonchal salt and wine in the after pains of puerperal women.² In puerperal diseases, such as fever, loss of appetite and disordered secretions, after delivery, the following called *Pancha jiraka páka*³ is used. Take of nigella seeds, cumin seeds, aniseeds, ajowan, seeds of *Carum sativum* (*ajamodá*) *Anethum Sowa* (*sulpha*) and *Trigonella Fœnum-græcum* (*methi*), coriander, ginger, long pepper, long pepper root, plumbago root, *habushá* (an aromatic substance) dried pulp of the fruit *Ziziphus Jujuba* (*vadari phala*), root of *Aplotaxis auriculata* (*kushtha*) and kamala powder, each one tolá, treacle one hundred tolás, milk one seer, clarified butter four tolas. Boil them together and prepare a confection. Dose about a drachm every morning.

c5.s1.t3.8

² उपकुञ्चिकां पिप्पलीञ्च मदिरां ताभतः पिबेत् । सौवर्चलेन संयुक्तां योनिमूलनिवारणीम् । चक्रदत्तः ।

c5.s1.t3.9

³ पञ्चजीरक पाकः । जीरकं स्थूलजीरञ्च शतपुष्पाह्वयं तथा । यवानी चाजमोदा च धान्यकं मेथिकापि च । शुण्ठी कृष्णाकृष्णामूलं चित्रकं हवुषापि च । वदरीफल चूर्णञ्च कुष्ठं काम्पिल्लकं तथा । एतानि पलमात्राणि गुडं पलशतं मतम् । क्षीरप्रस्थद्वयं दद्यात्सर्पिषः कुडवं तथा । पञ्चजीरकपाको-

Linked texts (1)

Cakradatta (Cikitsāsaṅgraha) — Cakrapāṇidatta, Sanskrit