Krishnajiraka. Vern. Kάlajirά, 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, diarrhoea 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.

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

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

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 pάka3 is used. Take of nigella seeds, cumin seeds, aniseeds, ajowan, seeds of Carum sativum (ajamodά) Anethum Sowa (sulpha) and Trigonella Famum-graecum (methi) coriander, ginger, long pepper, long pepper root, plumbago root, habushά (an aromatic substance) dried pulp of the fruit Ziziphus Jujuba (vadari phala), root of Aplotaxis auriculata (kushtha) and kamala powder, each one tola, treacle one hundred tolas, milk one seer, clarified butter four tolas. Boil them together and prepare a confection. Dose about a drachm every morning.